ireland baldwin interview by stephen christopher

Ireland Baldwin is the charming 6-foot-2-inch daughter of superstar parents Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger.  Yes, that daughter...once the center of a tumultuous custody battle. 

Now, as that storm has calmed, she’s quickly discovered that ‘overcoming’ may be life’s best revenge.

Ireland Baldwin, 19, bears genuine Hollywood royalty in her DNA—the daughter of not one, but two bona-fide superstars. Dad is Alec Baldwin, and Mom is Kim Basinger. The couples’ ‘War of the Roses’ divorce and contentious custody battle for Ireland hit center stage when Alec’s angry voicemail to Ireland (allegedly, she wasn’t taking his phone calls) was leaked to the public. She was only 11. That storm has finally passed, and recently, Alec and Kim teamed up to gift Ireland with a new Ford pickup—for being accepted to college. Here, the tomboy-at-heart tackles our Genlux Two-Word Questionnaire.  

You're wearing? I’m wearing Unif boots, one of my favorite ankle boots, and a Unif army jacket. My shirt is by Huxley. It says ‘Hell Was Full So I Came Back.’ It’s pretty sick. I have a University of Georgia shirt tied around my waist because I’m an honorary Southern girl.

GPS Location? I was born in Beverly Hills, but I like to consider myself a citizen of the world, because I’ve bounced around. I’m a traveler, explorer. I grew up in LA, but have lived in a different place almost every year of my life.

First gig? At 16 I signed to IMG models. It was fun in the beginning, being able to travel…though it was also frustrating to see my friends excel in school and go on to the collegiate level of sports. I was envious of that, but I was traveling and meeting phenomenal people.

Favorite shoot? My first shoot was an editorial for Elle magazine. That’s the first shoot I worked with Joe Zee, whom I’ve worked with again and again. He’s such great energy. I just love him. He was styling the shoot. It was so easy and fun and the beginning of everything.

Hardest time?  My parents split up when I was 7 or 8. I was living in New York and my mom moved me back to LA. My dad stayed in New York. My parents had a long custody battle over me. It was a bloody divorce. I don’t believe any child should have to speak to lawyers and deal with that. That took up a big chunk of my life. I was being dragged and torn in different directions. The entire situation took away my identity, and I did whatever would make whomever happy in the moment.

Bad decisions? These past two years were a blur—I disappeared emotionally and was in a dark place, and ended up in rehab. When I first got there I didn’t understand why I was there or what it all meant, but then I really engaged and buckled down and dealt with things that I needed to deal with. I tied it back to my parents and we got so much closer.

Famous folks? I was pretty well aware of their celebrity from the jump. The day I was born, my dad got arrested because he sprayed a photographer’s windshield. True story: I was about 10 and sitting with my friend and we watched 9 ½ Weeks. And I saw my mother in 8 Mile when I was young. I always looked at it as art. I knew from a very early age that they were famous.

Self-esteem? I never looked in the mirror and thought, “You are so hot.” It took a lot of other people to believe in me before I could believe in myself. It was my trainer, my nutritionist, my stylist, my agent—all who believed in me. 

Favorite quote? I like what Audrey Hepburn said: “I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.”

Happy ending? I’m really happy now that I’m at David Todd [modeling agency], I’m passionate about modeling again and I’m in a healthy relationship with my manager. It’s an open and honest relationship. He’s helped me to let it go and not stress about working out—to be happy. He tells me, “You’re going to be happy when you’re not manic.” Now that I’m kind of just doing it and finding my own way, it’s much better.

Your spirituality? I think God is a woman. Some days I think God is a tree. My higher power is experience. I connect more spiritually through the beauty I see in nature. Or having a conversation with someone who has the vibe of being a spiritual being. I pick up on energy.

Life lesson? I stopped writing for two years. I didn’t write a thing. But being out of the world and pent up in this little beautiful rehab, I would sit out there from the moment I woke up in the morning and write for five or six hours. There was this one man at the treatment center…we’d talk for three hours every night. I hadn’t learned more in my entire lifetime than during those talks with him. He lives in Louisiana. His name is Steve. My rehab brought me into conversation, patience, and into love.

DNA change? I’m the most disorganized organized person. I’m a mess. I’m so impatient. I get impatient and manic about things. I’m a perfectionist, so I’d like to be more mellow. I’m critical and judgmental about my own things, but not about other people.

Your fashion? I’m so wishy-washy about fashion. I’m all visual. When I see an outfit or collection, I can really appreciate the manufacturing and art and science behind making clothes, but in terms of my own dressing, I’m lazy. Truth be told, I’m a lazy California girl who’s in yoga pants or beach bikini.

Genlux shoot? This was one of the best shoots I’ve ever done. I loved the stylist.

Latest victory? Going out on my own and going to college at New York Film Academy for cinematography.

Your type? I don’t have a type. I’m into every type of guy. I have no limitations. Today’s model is so good looking. I want to ride on his back into the sunset.

What's next? I just started a new brand called Babes of Anarchy. It’s more of a blog—a creative space for people to share. I was anorexic and had bulimia for five or six years of my life, so I knew there was the need for a positive place for girls to go to tell their stories.

Favorite charities? I’m a crazy animal advocate, so I’d say the SPCA and PETA. I’m a non-fur girl. Many times I’ve turned down wearing fur on a shoot. I won’t even wear boots that have fur trim.

Favorite burger? Okay, if we’re talking grimy road burger, I get a three-by-three at In-N-Out with whole grilled onions, no lettuce and tomato, because we don’t have time for that. I’ve done a four-by-four. I’ve even gone five-by-five. There’s this one place, Byron Burger in London, that’s amazing…and Surf Burger in Pensacola. Here, there’s Golden State Burger on Fairfax. The best burger is at Father’s Office. I used my ‘fake’ just to get a burger there. It’s worth a fake ID. I like cheese fries. Umami Burger’s the bomb too.

Your diet? It’s just about being in a healthy mind frame. It’s not complicated. It’s what works for you. Yeah, I want to eat burgers and pizza every day.

Best man? My dad’s always been the coolest guy in my life. He’s intelligent and he knows about so many things. I’ve always adored him.

Your mom? We're very close. My mom’s an artist and one of those people who tries something one time and becomes really good at it. She’s surfing now.

Your future? I’m really excited. My heart is healthy, my head is healthy, and I’m feeling like a new girl…as cheesy as that sounds. I’m seeing good things.

Art Director: Stephen Kamifuji
Photographer: Joseph Chen / josephchenstudio.com
Talent: Ireland Baldwin / dtmodelmanagement.com
Model: Brent Clancy / dtmodelmanagement.com
Stylist: Lisa Cera / TheRexAgency.com
Hair Stylist: Robert Steinken / CloutierRemix / 
Makeup Artist: Uzo using NARS / Tracey Mattingly Agency
Manicure: Denise Bourne / TheRexAgency.com
Video: Darren Stone / darrenstonephotography.com
Post Production: Joey Pasaoa
Location: Special thanks to Mark B. Barron