Interview with Leslie Anderson
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Leslie Anderson, a former model turned fashion designer, reflects on her tumultuous past, including struggles with substance abuse and a difficult marriage, while embracing a new chapter in her life with a successful fashion line and a happy marriage to John Dofferman. Despite her challenges, she feels grateful for the lessons learned and focuses on her family and charitable work. Anderson emphasizes the importance of personal growth and moving forward, rather than dwelling on past mistakes.
Interview with Leslie Anderson
- 1. Fashion journalism diploma course article by Annisa Hasan ‘My life gets better and better once I get older’ Former model/actress, now fashion designer, Leslie Anderson always has a mind of her own, choosing to ignore the typical A-list behaviour in the fashion industry: her latest collection hitting the high streets and her marriage to property tycoon, John Dofferman, she tells Annisa Hasan why she wouldn’t have it any other way. In the world of celebrities, there’s always a time when drama kicks into their lives and misfortunes arise. However dark, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Leslie Anderson has had a troubled past during her modelling years, spending much of her youth drinking, partying, getting arrested for drunk driving and fighting to win a custody battle for her two sons against her former husband, Casey Armstrong 25 years ago. Even though her youth was dramatic, she was always offered modelling contracts from New York, LA, Japan and was voted the sexiest female of 1984. Now 45 years old, she can safely say she’s happier in her marriage to Dofferman and learned a lesson that life is what you make it and naivety is a learning curve to lead you in the right direction. When we meet, Leslie is busy promoting her new fashion line out for Autumn/Winter 2011. Her new line has an eclectic range from lingerie, hosiery, accessories and warm coloured autumn/winter floral outfits ready to wear for this winter. “I felt blessed my life has been turned around’ says Anderson.” Thirty years ago, even though I was popular in front of the public eye, it made me depressed. I was naïve to think being famous can make you happy.’ While happy to talk about her past, Leslie is very private to discuss about her present and future. “I don’t want to jinx it, I used to be very vocal about what I did in my youth because I got all the attention I wanted but the attention I got lead me to unhappiness. I don’t want to go back to that again.” So with the crowbar at the ready, I attempt to open the life of model / actress/ designer/ wife/ mum/businesswoman rolled into one. Are you happy with the future project of your clothing line? Oh, God, yes – my niece Stephanie wants to be a fashion designer and I’m helping her get started in her career. But you can’t always control how things turn out. Of course not, but you can control your actions. What I did in the 80’s was my action and I was too young to control it. They were the one that controlled me and I had no say in anything. They saw me as this sweet little girl and thought they could get me to be this wild child. I could’ve turned away and said no but that’s what I thought the celebrity world was like. I wanted to succeed in what I did and it turned out to be fake. I should’ve learned to say no and when you realise it’s going great, you forget how insane you felt. I thought to myself ‘If I focus on what has to be done than what I want done, I will do just fine. My life isn’t long enough to do the things I HAVE to do so I might as well make a start now.’ Why did you take a long break from modelling? My modelling days are over; I wanted to look for myself, the real me. I needed to focus on my career and my life if I want a better life for me and my two boys. It wasn’t fair for them to grow up in an environment where I was drunk all the time, sniffing cocaine every week and coming home late from a party. I needed time to think so I moved from LA to a secluded town in New York where my boys and I can have a place to ourselves and figure out a new life.
- 2. Jessica Ross (former model) lives a reclusive lifestyle. Did you glean inspiration from her? She’s not reclusive; she just chose to stay away from the lime light which I respect. While I was on my break, she gave me advice on how to be content in life and became my best friend. She knew about my partying and rehabs and has always told me the modelling industry is a cruel world to be in and I never listened. Now I can see where she’s coming from. You’re not from the Hollywood scene either. If you’re working hard, you don’t have time to party. I was very young and I thought I could manage partying and modelling at the same time. It turned out a lot of modelling offers had cancelled my contract because of it. Looking back now, I felt ashamed about what I did but I don’t dwell on it. It’s in the past and I try to live my life so that I can go to the grocery store and not be snapped holding alcohol in my hand. Do you still go to a lot of after parties? Sometimes I do because I like to mingle with old friends from my modelling days and people I’ve lost touch with. But nowadays I want to focus on my family and clothing line. Even if I do go to after parties, I normally have one or two champagnes and off to bed. (laughs). So…how are you finding married life? Well, it’s fine. Do we have to talk about this? You once said you didn’t believe in marriage, obviously your perception has changed. My perception hasn’t changed, I got lucky. I’m still sceptical about relationships because of Casey. I was only 19 and 8 months later I was pregnant with him. I don’t care if people think John and I are not a cool couple. I’m happy. Is scepticism good for your marriage? I can’t tell you. I don’t expect anything but I have everything I’ve wanted now, a new career, my boys and husband. When I was young, I wanted everything, including fame and didn’t feel content, that’s why it turned out bad for me. Now I feel content, everything is good. Tell me about how you met. No, I promised to myself I won’t jinx my present and future life. For a month you e-mailed each other, but you weren’t keen to meet him because he was 12 years older than you. Yes, that’s true. I eventually met up with him with a friend and realised he was very mature and helped me out with the mess I was going through. Because he is much older than me, I could avoid going partying and not involving myself with drugs. He got me out of that hole when I was on my break. In my youth I hung around with people my age, they were likely to get high on cocaine and doubtful I’ll hang around with people like that again. What about your marriage to Casey when you were 20? Oh, God, that…yes, I thought getting married would solve my issues with drugs and alcohol but it turned out that it accumulated more issues. Our marriage was all over the news and magazines saying I wanted attention and the news of my pregnancy with him made headlines. It was terrible. We were young and thought we were having fun but I got divorced at the right time. Was that why you wanted to keep your marriage private with John? Yes, I wanted to feel what it was like to not have paparazzis following us around. Both you and John do a lot for charity and donated $1 million both to the tsunami and Katrina relief fund. Fashion journalism diploma course article by Annisa Hasan
- 3. I feel very obliged I can do a lot for charity. I didn’t used to feel fortunate and took everything for granted when I was young, now I wake up and feel blessed. We are all responsible for helping others and John is one example and my life gets better and better once I get older. Without him guiding me to the right path, I wouldn’t know how to give. A deaf guy came in to John’s office one day wanting an admin position. John asked him what he can do and ended up with a job as a typist. How are you coping with being a step-mum to John’s two daughters, Lizzie and Ruth? They’re wonderful. I enjoy spending time with them and they ask me for advice on girly stuff, which they couldn’t before. It’s nice to have step-daughters who look up to you. Luckily, I’m totally included in their lives and close to both girls. Is there a place in your heart for children with John? (laughs) Oh no, I think my time has already ended. John and I are in our middle ages and have four children between us. Actually I’m expecting a step-grandchild this autumn. I hear you are planning on writing a novel? Nothing of any great significance. This is my hobby and I’m not planning on publishing it, I’m too busy controlling my clothing line for next season. John will be piloting a military plane at an American air show this summer and I’ll be there to watch him with the kids. Leslie’s facts Shopping destination ‘I love going to Mexico with the girls. There’s so many arty things from Mexico I collect for my house in Texas. I bought six pairs of Mexican boots which costs more in dollars and my step daughter bought a Mexican cowboy hat which she wears all the time to the beach.’ Designer ‘I love Moschino, it has been my favourite designer since I was 13. When I was 16 I got to promote the label I was screaming with my best friend. My mum thought we were being attacked by someone.’ Pets ‘My son and step-daughter gave me a Chihuahua for my birthday last year. They saw him in a dog pound, ready to be put to sleep and adopted him straight away.’ Hobbies Leslie has just opened up a restaurant four years ago, Leslie’s, in Texas serving southern and bistro dishes. Jewellery Leslie’s engagement ring is a 1920 Tiffany gold engagement ring and has many Tiffany collections in her room which she wears to after show parties and conference events. Fashion journalism diploma course article by Annisa Hasa
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