Rachel Hunter: From Supermodel Stardom To Soulful Solitude

The Rise of a '90s Icon

Rachel Hunter was a name that rolled off the tongue with the likes of Naomi, Cindy, and Elle during the late '80s and '90s. She wasn't just a model – she was a cultural phenomenon, gracing magazine covers, runways, and television screens worldwide. As a Sports Illustrated cover star and the face of brands like Revlon and CoverGirl, Rachel was whisked around the globe for glamorous photo shoots and ad campaigns. "They made this lagoon in one of the studios," she recounted, marveling at the lengths taken to create extravagant settings just for her.

Finding Fame and Love

Beyond the glitz, Rachel's life was a whirlwind of celebrity and romance. At 20, she met rock icon Rod Stewart, and within months, they were married, becoming one of the '90s most talked-about couples. "You never laugh so much," she said of her time with Rod, painting a picture of a life that seemed perfect from the outside.

"I didn't see myself as beautiful," Rachel shared, revealing that she often felt like she was merely participating in the spectacle around her.

A Brave New Path

But beneath the surface, Rachel yearned for something more. Her introspective nature, rooted in her Auckland upbringing, led her to question her path as she approached her late twenties. Following her separation from Rod, Rachel embarked on a journey of self-discovery, spurred by her mother's poignant advice to "fully be who I am." This revelation prompted a transformative trip to India, where she confronted the discomfort of self-reflection and emerged with a renewed sense of self.

Embracing Authenticity

In India, amid yoga training and spiritual exploration, Rachel chose to stay and confront her instincts to shrink away. Embracing her mother's spiritual legacy, she now leads retreats and speaks on meditation and breathwork, fully embracing the metaphysical world. Despite media narratives, Rachel is content with her solitude, embracing love and identity on her own terms. The supermodel era may have defined her early life, but Rachel Hunter is now focused on defining herself.

You can catch the full conversation on No Filter, where Rachel Hunter candidly shares her journey from the pinnacle of fame to a life of introspection and authenticity.