Despite being a household name, Gisele Bündchen, the iconic Brazilian supermodel, has often had her name butchered by fans and professionals alike. Recently, a 2005 video clip from her “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” appearance has resurfaced, revealing the correct pronunciation of her name, and it’s not what you might think.
In the clip, Bündchen shares her early struggles with the English language after moving to the United States at 16 to chase her modeling dreams. Casting calls were particularly challenging due to the consistent mispronunciation of her name. Contrary to the typical American pronunciation, Bündchen clarified that her name should be pronounced “Gisele-y,” emphasizing a long ‘e’ sound at the end, which often gets dropped in English-speaking contexts.
This linguistic hurdle was just one of many cultural barriers she faced. During her early days in New York, Bündchen lived with other models who misled her into believing that “a—hole” was a term of endearment. This led to several embarrassing moments, including her cheerfully using the term with her elderly doorman and agency staff, only to learn its true meaning later.
Adding to her list of misadventures, Bündchen also reflected on her personal life, notably her marriage with NFL star Tom Brady. The couple, who separated in 2022 after 13 years, recently made headlines again. Bündchen reportedly found little humor in a Netflix roast of Brady, which made light of their marriage’s end and her subsequent relationship with jiu-jitsu trainer Joaquim Valente.
These snippets from Bündchen’s life not only highlight the complexities of cross-cultural communication but also illustrate her resilience and sense of humor in navigating the glamorous yet challenging world of international superstardom. As she now says, “Call me whatever you feel like,” showcasing her adaptability and enduring charm.
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