Fernanda Motta was born in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil, on January 1, 1981. The youngest child of a large extended family, she wanted to be an architect before she was discovered on a beach in Guarapari at the age of 16 by a talent scout.

Since then she's been spotted on the covers of numerous magazines, including Vogue Brasil, Elle, Elle Brasil, Mexico and Spain editions of Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. She's also appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition for four consecutive years (2004 through 2007). Then there are the ads she's been featured in: Victoria's Secret, Rolex, Wonderbra, Pantene, Água de Coco, Calzedonia, Intimissimi, and Moët & Chandon among others.

Probably one of Fernanda's greatest accomplishments, however, was being chosen as the host of Brazil's Next Top Model in 2007. In order to accept the job, she reportedly cancelled most of her agenda so that she could stay in the country for two months straight. She then went on to be a guest judge for America's Next Top Model, Cycle 12, when the final six contestants arrived in São Paulo.

Of course, modeling isn't Fernanda's only interest. She loves to play tennis and soccer—she is a huge fan of Brazil's national soccer team. Plus she is absolutely in love with Florianopolis, an island city off the coast of southern Brazil. "It has 42 beaches—can you believe it?" says Fernanda. "It's paradise."

And modeling isn't her only source of income. Fernanda and her husband, Roger Rodriguez, are partners in the restaurant Le 55 in New York City's Meatpacking District, which opened to great reviews. Obviously Fernanda's a fan: "I cannot come here because I love Italian food,"  she says.