Barbara Meier: Embracing Passion, Fashion, and Philanthropy

Cannes, May 14, 2024 – Nestled in her suite at Carlton Cannes, we had the privilege to sit down with the stunning Barbara Meier for an exclusive photo shoot and interview. The multifaceted actress and model opened up about her career, inspirations, and her unwavering commitment to various charitable causes.

A Childhood Dream Realized

Barbara Meier’s journey to acting was serendipitous. “I’ve always dreamed of being an actress. Even as a child, I told everyone I would become one someday,” she recalls. Although her passion for acting waned as she pursued mathematics and modeling, it reignited when she was offered a role in a mystery film. Inspired by strong women, both on-screen and behind the scenes, Barbara cherishes her job for the opportunity to meet many inspiring women.

First Impressions of Cannes

Barbara’s first experience at Cannes was unforgettable. “My plane was late, and I arrived just as the premiere started. The photographers circled around me, making it impossible to enter. I missed the movie but had an overwhelming first Cannes experience,” she laughs. Every visit to Cannes leaves her in awe of the elegance and passion for cinema, where movies are celebrated with grandeur.

Red Carpet Style Icon

Renowned for her impeccable red carpet style, Barbara doesn’t adhere to a single fashion philosophy. “Fashion is underestimated. It’s not superficial; it helps women express their emotions and feel different,” she explains. This year, she collaborated with Greg Alexander for bold looks at events for Magnum, celebrating her return to work post-motherhood.

From Mathematics to Modeling

A chance encounter with a model scout in a shopping mall shifted Barbara’s path from mathematics to modeling. “That moment changed my life. I worked with agencies in Athens, Paris, Milan, and New York, and I still love math and look forward to doing homework with my daughters,” she shares.

Memorable Moments on the Runway

Barbara’s modeling career is filled with highlights, from the Cartier shoot for Vogue to Paris Fashion Week. “Wearing millions of euros worth of jewelry was unique. Paris Fashion Week is every model’s dream, and being part of it was unforgettable,” she reminisces.

An Advocate for Body Positivity

Barbara’s “anti-diet book” encourages women to embrace healthy, active lifestyles rather than unhealthy weight loss. “Being thin shouldn’t be the ultimate goal. I want to empower women to find their ideal, healthy weight,” she asserts. She advocates for small lifestyle changes, emphasizing the importance of appreciating and nurturing one’s body.

Early Cinematic Influences

Barbara’s first cinema experience was “The Lion King,” a magical memory that deepened her love for animals, exemplified by her support for an orphaned tiger named Diego. Directors like Steven Spielberg and Taika Waititi have significantly influenced her, blending imagination and storytelling in ways that captivate audiences.

Acting in “The Aspern Papers”

Starring in “The Aspern Papers” was a dream come true for Barbara. “Playing opposite legends like Vanessa Redgrave and Jonathan Rhys Meyers was inspiring. Premiering the film in India and seeing the audience’s reaction was incredible,” she recounts.

Balancing Family and Career

Currently preparing for a TV series, Barbara balances her career with family life. “I love spending time with my daughters and husband. Returning to work, wearing amazing dresses for shoots, and hosting awards is fulfilling,” she says.

Passion for Philanthropy

Barbara is dedicated to various causes. As a UNICEF ambassador, she fights for children’s rights worldwide. For WWF, she advocates against plastic in oceans and promotes fair fashion with the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighting the need for ethical clothing production.

Roots in Bavaria

Growing up in a small Bavarian town instilled values of community and connection to nature in Barbara. “We grew vegetables, played outside, and supported each other. These memories motivate my work for WWF,” she explains.

Embracing Changes

Motherhood has brought changes to Barbara’s body, but she embraces them. “My body gave me the best gifts. Aging has opened doors and enriched my experiences,” she reflects.

Mathematical Mindset for Success

Appointed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as an ambassador for the Year of Mathematics in 2008, Barbara believes in hard work and authenticity. “Success is subjective. Never compare yourself to others; be happy with your life,” she advises.

Barbara Meier’s journey from a small town in Bavaria to the glamorous world of Cannes is a testament to her passion, resilience, and commitment to making a positive impact. Her story inspires women to pursue their dreams, embrace their bodies, and strive for a better world.

Exclusive interview by Ada Iliopoulou 

When was the first time that you understood that you will be actress? Who inspired you?

I have always dreamed of being an actress – even as a child I told everyone, that one day, I would become one. I forgot about that dream a little, started my mathematics study and afterwards my modeling career. By chance I got offered a wonderful role in a mystery movie and rediscovered my passion for acting. There are so many strong women that inspire me. Sometimes it’s an actress, sometimes it’s someone behind the camera: a directress, a female writer or even someone I meet in a plane. I love that I have a job, where I meet many wonderful women.

When was the first time you came in Cannes? Remind us more ( where you went , what you were , the movie you saw) 

I will never forget my first red carpet in Cannes. My plane was late so I arrived superlate and when I got to the premiere – everyone was already inside, except for the photographers. So they were standing in a circle around me and wouldn’t let me get in because everyone wanted to take a picture. In the end I missed the movie but had a very overwhelming first Cannes experience. Every time I’m in Cannes, I am  so impressed by the elegance at all the events and by all the passion for movies from guests from all over the world. People don’t consume movies here: they really celebrate them. Everyone dresses up to go to the Cinema. Even all photographers wear black suits.  

You are one of the most stylist women of the red carpet. What is the real style for you. How do you choose the outfits you wear?

Thank you for the compliment. I don’t have a particular style. As a model I loved trying on different styles and was very surprised, how different I felt in every outfit. I think sometimes fashion is really underestimated. It’s not superficial at all. It helps women to express their emotions or give them an elegant / sporty / fresh / etc. feeling. 

At red carpets I still enjoy trying new looks from time to time. Because like this I can show people a different side of my personality.

What about this year?

This year I am at a few events for Magnum. The dress code is pink on one night and purple on the other. With the help of Greg Alexander I chose looks that are really bold and stand out. After giving birth to my second daughter I really enjoy being back at work and having the chance to really dress up. When I’m at home with my kids or go to the playground I am the complete opposite. My kids wear cute dresses and I just put on some boyfriend jeans and a T-shirt.

If we will look back you started your career as  a very successful model. How did you decide from the mathematic world that you were studying for to pass in the show biz of modelling. 

A model scout discovered me in a shopping mall and invited me to work with me. That moment really changed my life and opened doors for me I never could have imagined. At that moment I was at the right time at the right place. But after that the hard work started and I worked with agencies in Athens, Paris, Milan and New York. I still love maths though and cannot wait to do Math homework with my daughters. 😉

You have been on the catwalk for national as well as international brands. Which was your best experience till today and why?

It is really hard to compare, since there were so many highlights. I will never forget my Cartier shooting for Vogue. Wearing jewelry worth millions of euros was a very unique experience. I had heard of Cartier of course, but never really knew that it is real art and it was an honour to wear it. (Even though I was not allowed to touch it. There was a security with hand gloves on set who was the only one who would be allowed to adjust the pieces)

Also of course Paris Fashion week. That is the dream of every model and I remember how excited I was, when I was booked for it. Just being part of these magical weeks is unforgettable.

Later you wrote also a very interesting “anti-diet book” as you call it and above all wants to motivate women and make them feel better in their bodies. Why you decided to do that? 

As a model I was always confronted with an unhealthy outlook on the female body. Being thin is always seen as the ultimate goal – and that is just wrong. With my book I want to empower women to find their ideal weight – the weight with which they are happy and healthy. The key to that is not a diet, it is healthy food and an active lifestyle. I would say avoid sitting too much is the first step to a more active life. 

What do you have to propose to all these ladies that they can not lose weight and all those who in their try to be stylish they are very weak without a reason and they don’t protect themselves. 

You only have to lose weight, if you’re not healthy. You don’t have to lose weight for anyone else or just to be thin. Be proud of yourself and your body and all the wonderful things it can do, like give birth to new life or heal wounds. Isn’t that miraculous? I really learned to appreciate my body when I was training for the New York Marathon. I was so proud of my body to achieve things I never thought I would be able to do. And then I sat down and said to myself: I will never criticize my body again for having some wrinkles or „imperfect“ parts, but always be grateful for all the things my body does for me. If you really have to lose weight I always advice to do little steps like taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk short distances instead of taking the car. There will be results soon that motivate you and keep you going.

What was your first movie when you were kid?

My first movie in a theater was The Lion King. I was amazed by the magic of watching a movie with so many other people. I also love animals – I even support and am the “godmother” of an orphaned tiger. His name is Diego and was abandoned by a German circus.

Who is your favorite director and which is a movie that you can see 1000 times without second thought?

Steven Spielberg’s movies have really had an impact on me. Watching movies like Jurassic Park or ET as a kid with my family are some memories I cherish a lot. I love the worlds he created in his movies, the imagination, that went into them.

Nowadays I really like Taika Waititi. Whatever he does, he always surprises. The big blockbusters like Thor or the smaller super creative stories like Jojo Rabbit or Next Goal Wins.

You were acting too in Aspern Papers. Tell us about thé expérience. 

It was a wonderful experience. I love period pieces, the costumes, the sets, different kind of makeup: just really entering another time. Playing opposites legends like Vanessa Redgrave or Jonathan Rhys Myers is always inspiring and I got to learn a lot by just watching them work.  The premiere of the movie was at a film festival in India, which also was a very interesting experience. I always love premieres and see the audience reacts to the story and to see if the scenes have the impact on people that we hoped to have during filming. 

What do you make now?

I am filming a TV series in the summer and am starting to prepare for the role. I just hosted the Austrian Next Generation Award and will be the presenter of the European Culture Award in June. My work now is a mixture of modeling, acting and hosting shows or award ceremonies. I always loved the variety and am very thankful for having the chance to work in so many different fields with creative and inspiring people. 

You are very involved with the charity. Tell us more about your actions. 

I am an ambassador for Unicef and help them fight for kids’ rights all over the world. I have two daughters who can grow up in peace, with having enough to eat every day, are able to go to a school in some years,… I wish every child had the same chances. For the WWF I am the spokesperson against plastic in the oceans. I always loved the sea and it’s a shame how much plastic we put in the oceans. It’s around 10 Million tons of plastic each year that are dropped in the ocean. Isn’t that a desaster? We have to find a solution for that soon, before the damage gets even bigger. For the German ministry of foreign affairs I am the ambassador for Fair Fashion. I travelled with them to Pakistan and India, visited factories and talked to the women who are working there under often catastrophic circumstances. We need to be more aware of where cheap clothes come from and we cannot close our eyes when it comes to millions of women working under really unhealthy, dangerous conditions just to produce our clothes. 

You came from Bavaria. A place that we have in our mind as the paradise of beer, beau castles, the central BMW and Siemens. 

Remember some moments from your little age there. What affected you more. 

I grew up in a small town and what affected me the most is the community, the family life, how everyone supported each other. There was a sense of togetherness that I keep missing more and more nowadays. We grew vegetables in our garden, so I know the value of food. Once you grow it yourself, put love and work into it, you don’t just throw it away easily. And we always had a good connection to the nature. As kids we used to play outside a lot, watched insects, were walking through woods. These memories motivate me for my work for the WWF now. I want my kids and grandkids to also have the chance to enjoy a healthy nature. 

How is your life now? You have a beautiful family. 

I love my family life a lot, spending time with my daughters and my husband is the best gift I could imagine. But I also love getting back to work, like wearing the amazing dresses for the shooting we did for you. 

How difficult is for a beautiful woman to remains so pretty after two kids? 

Of course I have noticed some changes after giving birth twice – but I dont care. My body gave me the best gifts ever, so of course it does not look like before. But I love the changes and I love my body. Also I think when you’re really happy in life, aging is not a problem. Being a little older opened many doors and gave me experiences I couldn’t have had as a 20 year old.

In 2008, you were an ambassador for the Year of Mathematics, to which you were appointed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research .Which is the mathematic way for the success?

Success is always hard, hard work, even if it looks easy. And staying true to yourself. Also I think success is a very subjective thing, depending what exactly a person defines as being successful. In the end you should never compare yourself with others. It’s important that you are happy with the life you are living. Not someone else. 

Starring Barbara Meier @barbarameier
Photography Greg Alexander @gregalexanderofficial
Art director @sebastienvienne 
Hair Alexander Von Trentini @alex.von.trentini
Makeup Shahrzad Lozani @shery_hair_makeup_artist 
Assistant Patricia Constanta 
Special thanks to Ritz Carlton Cannes @carltoncannes