A Canadian national champion in synchronized swimming, with titles in 1994-96, Estella left a promising career in the sport she'd trained for since the age of 5 and instead, opted for one she has since proven wildly successful at, modeling. Her big break came in 1996, when pictures of her from a high school fashion show were sent to an New York agent.

Her first shoot was a somewhat casual one. Highly acclaimed fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth snapped some polaroids of her while they riding in a limo. The pictures came out fun and sexy, and from there von Unwerth took shots of her for Italian Vogue. And a supermodel was born.

Estella is said to be a friendly, down-to-earth girl. She enjoys outdoor sports, including cooking, biking, walking, running, fishing, and golf.

The Chanel No..5 campaign by famed director Luc Besson propelled Estella into stardom. Her role as Little Red Riding Hood captured millions of hearts. Her controversial photos for Perry Ellis, shot by one of today's most prominent photographers, Bruce Weber, put her in the international spotlight once again. Weber's provocative shots of Estella were plastered on billboards all over New York City (that is, the ones that weren't banned). Her assignments for Victoria's Secret and the legendary Sports Illustrated 2000 swimsuit issue (as well as the high-profile role of hosting its video) ensured stardom.

Had Estella's career ended there, it would have already been quite a remarkable one. But of course, it continued to propel. In 2000, she was named Maxim magazine's #1 Hottest Babe, and UK GQ's #1 on its Hot list. Estella followed her dreams and ventured into the world of acting, and after having played small parts in two films (Tangled and Perfume), she landed high-profile roles in major studio productions, Driven and Planet of the Apes: The Visitor. Impossible as it may seem, look for 2001 to be an even greater year for Estella.