By Carol Ann Weber
Photos by Per Bernal

alk about someone who is down to earth. Our goddess this month, Polish-born Joanna Krupa, stays grounded in her Polish upbringing and her mom’s strong religious and moral values, as she faces ongoing challenges as a successful print model and a budding Hollywood starlet.

First, she’s a woman who loves having curves, balking at the thought of starving herself down to a stick figure model. “Even at my lowest weight, I’m never skin and bones,” Joanna says. And even though being a top model for ad campaigns such as Yamaha, Sketchers, Izod, Mario Magro handbags (she got to keep a couple of them) and Frederick’s of Hollywood requires that her makeup and hair look flawless from any angle, she looks forward to television or movie roles where she may have to look, well, less than perfect. “I just read a [movie] script where the character is a “white trash,” tattooed type of woman—I would love to tackle that role,” Joanna explains. “In acting, your craft comes before being beautiful. It would be quite an accomplishment to get to the level of what Charlize Theron did in ‘Monster.’”

Although she’s living in Los Angeles and has jumped into the Hollywood scene, having already appeared on “The Craig Kilborn Show,”, “The Man Show,” “Just Shoot Me” and “Las Vegas,” to name just a few, and played bit parts in movies like “Legally blonde” and “Planet of the Apes,” as well as a starring role in “Max Havoc: Curse of the Dragon,” she’s definitely not of Hollywood. “I have more guy friends than women friends, because so many women here seem to be so competitive. One minute they are your best friend and the next they are stabbing you in the back.”

Ms. Krupa doesn’t see every other actress as her competitor because she believes that if she doesn’t get a part (or any opportunity, for that matter), it is not meant for her. What is hers is hers, says Joanna. that kind of good sense is rare in Hollywood and it gives her a universal appeal to both men and women, which is going to take her a long way in a very tough business.

Where did you grow up?
I was five when my mom and I left Warsaw, Poland, where I was born, to relocate to Chicago. We moved to the Westside, which is like Poland II, a huge Polish community. I grew up with the Polish food and even went to a Polish school for six years. We followed our Polish traditions. I haven’t been back to Poland since I was there 12 years ago, but I will always be proud of my Polish heritage. I still speak Polish, but I haven’t written in Polish for a while so I don’t know how good I am with writing it.

Were you athletic as a child?
I was a very prissy girl. I hated gym classes. I usually tried to get out of them, like getting a note to go to the nurse or something. But I took ballet for five years and tap classes. I was very flexible as a child. I love to dance, even to this day.

Did you go to college?
I went to Community College for two years in Lombard, Illinois, but I was miserable. After that, I moved to LA and got into modeling. I wasn’t that into school, because I always knew I wanted to go to work. Even if I wasn’t doing what I’m doing right now, I would go into real estate or business.

How did you get into modeling?
At 13, I saw an ad for the Barbizon School for modeling and begged my mom to get me into it. But two modeling schools and $10,000 later, I still didn’t have an agent or the right pictures. I slowly got smarter about the business, so when I moved to LA at 19, I knew how to handle the phony agents, manager and scammers who tried to use me. I met my boyfriend at that time, who was a legitimate agent, and he helped me get started. I got my first modeling job in Hawaii and then started getting my portfolio together. The jobs started coming in and I got the right people around me. I thank God every day for the way my mother raised me because I stayed strong and didn’t go down the wrong path. And I worked my but off; nothing was handed to me. It was (and is) a constant investment in yourself.

What was your favorite modeling job?
The purse ad for Mario Magro was probably my favorite. Everything just seemed to come out right in that shoot.

How did you get into acting and what is your favorite part so far?
Having a modeling agent helps because they also have a theatrical department, so they sent me out for TV and movie work, as well. Also, my manager is the best thing that has happened to me and has provided me some wonderful opportunities. The movie, “Max Havoc,” that I did with David Carradine and Carmen Electra, was one of the best things she got me into. At first I was scared to do a major role, but the scariest part was the night before I was to leave for Guam [location for the movie] is when I found out they were giving me a lead role! It gave me more confidence in my acting ability because I got good feedback and was comfortable with the role. In television, I loved the role I got in “Las Vegas.” [She played opposite Alec Baldwin in one episode]. If they put me on that show as a regular, I would love it.

And how did you get the role of one of the trampoline girls on “The Man Show”?
To be clear, I only jumped one time on the trampoline and swore I’d never do it again. I was one of the seven girls on the show; I did one season. I knew it wasn’t me, but they didn’t make me feel degraded so it was actually kind of fun. I dressed up in costumes and danced around to music. But every job and every experience helps you get something else and has a reason. Even though it was stupid, it gave me a little bit of recognition.

And some day you’ll have your own show where you make guys jump up and down on a trampoline.
That’s a perfect idea, Carol Ann! (She laughs) Let’s work on that one.

What’s next in your career and what are your goals?
I’m continuing with modeling and have a few scripts I’m looking at. If I can put both modeling and acting together, that would be great.

Do you see marriage and children in your life?
I would love to get married; I’m ready. For kids, I would wait about five years.

Who is your greatest role model?
My mother. Without her, I could not have kept my feet on the ground through everything. She’s a strong woman inside and out and there’s no one I look up to more than her.

You found a boyfriend who understands your career?
Yes! Jensen Ackles. He’s an actor on “Smallville” and he’s been on “Days of Our Lives” for years, so he understands the business. And he’s so not Hollywood and not into being a star. He’s absolutely amazing. I’ve never been more attracted to anyone in my life.

BEAUTY TIPS
Do you have a regular beauty regimen?
I just do the basics. Just pink and white on the nails. Facials once in a blue moon and microdermabrasion once a year. I use a moisturizer (Pathenol Protein Moisturizing face cream) that contains protein, Vitamins A and E and beta-carotine. It’s not that expensive and it moisturizes my faces better than the really expensive stuff. I use it both for day and night. I always use sunscreen. For my hair I use volumizing shampoo. I had my teeth whitened three years ago and should probably do it again. I’m pretty low maintenance, actually.

If you could name one thing that’s most important to maintaining your physical appearance, what would it be?
Keeping my face looking as young as possible. You can always work out your body, but if you don’t protect your face from the sun, you’ll age. Also, wear big sunglasses so you don’t squint. And keep your hands moisturized.

Biggest grooming faux pas made by women?
In LA, women are obsessed with plastic surgery. I’m a believer in taking care of little stuff and keeping it looking natural. But these women put way too much collagen in their lips and they look like blowfish. It shows insecurity with what you are naturally. But when you go overboard, you can end up looking horrific. You should emphasize your natural beauty, not change yourself into a freak.

DIET TIPS
What’s a day like in the life of your diet?
I try to eat more protein than carbs. Breakfast is a protein shake, lunch is a chicken salad and dinner is usually a chicken breast and vegetables. But I have to have a filet once in awhile, with some potatoes

If there’s one thing you consider to be an essential diet tip, what would it be?
If you’re going to have carbs, pick the low-carb stuff. And satisfy your sweet tooth with sugar-free sweets. When I’m being strict, sugar-free jello is a perfect way to handle my sweet tooth.

Do you have a favorite junk food?
Oh my God. Have you ever had a chocolate volcano? It looks like a souffle, but inside it has hot melted chocolate fudge. As soon as you cut into it, the fudgy chocolate oozes out of it. It has a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and raspberries around the edge.

TRAINING TIPS
What’s a week like in the life of your training?
When I’m at home, I go to a women’s gym and take a variety of classes. I go at least three or four times a week and take hour classes like kick boxing, step class, core training, yoga and Pilates. I like classes that not only work all your body parts, but are fun. I also love to take my dogs hiking.

What’s been the key factor for you staying in such great shape?
I really watch what I eat, because I find if I put on too much weight, just working out doesn’t do the trick.

Do you have any trouble areas on your body that you have to work at to keep in shape? What do you do?
Probably my abs, because I have a problem with bloating. So I do core work at least three times a week. I don’t need a six-pack, I just want to keep myself in shape.

GODDESS FACTOR
How would you define beauty? Is beauty the most important thing about being a woman?
There are so many women who are beautiful to look at until they open their mouths. I believe the way a person makes you feel when you‘re around them is what makes them beautiful. When a person makes you feel beautiful, that makes them beautiful.

We all talk about inner beauty, but does it really count in the real world?
Obviously, I get some things easier because of my looks, because that’s what people first look at. That’s the real world. But you may find that working with, or being around, someone who is delightful or fun to be with is the one with whom you establish a lasting relationship, whether it be business or personal. As to some guys who pick women solely because of their looks, I wouldn’t want to be with them, anyway. The one thing that really attracted me to my boyfriend is that he wanted to know about me and my family before we got more involved.

Do you consider yourself to be a goddess? And what does it mean to be a goddess?
No, I definitely don’t consider myself a goddess. Some women who think they are goddesses, like the “kiss my feet” kind, are not goddesses. I don’t put myself in that category. At the same time, I do believe that as women, we can take over the world. But other people would have to vote on whether or not I’m a goddess.     ▉