Estella Dawn Warren (born December 23, 1978)[1] is a Canadian actress, fashion model and former synchronized swimmer. During her swimming career she was a member of the Canada national team and won three national titles. Since 1994, she has been modelling through publications such as Sports Illustrated as well as working for campaigns for such brands as Perry Ellis and Victoria's Secret.
Estella Warren was born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, to Esther, an elementary school headmistress, and Don Warren, a used-car dealer. She is the youngest of three daughters.[2][3]
Career
Synchronized swimming
In 1990, Warren moved to Toronto to train with the national synchronized swimming team. In 1995, after becoming the senior national champion, Warren had the chance to move on to the 1996 Summer Olympics. She is a three-time Canada national team champion and the solo bronze medallist at the 1995 Junior World Championships.[4]
Fashion modeling
Estella Warren was discovered by Rhonda Broadbelt Fonte, the owner of Broadbelt & Fonte Models, in 1994 when she was a synchronized swimmer living in Ontario. Broadbelt Fonte then introduced Warren to George Gallier, the owner of American Models. She then went to New York City to shoot some photo tests. During that time, Gallier introduced her to fashion photographer Ellen Von Unwerth, who booked her for a photo shoot for ItalianVogue.[5]
She began her international modelling career with the Cacharel fragrance campaign "Eau d'Eden" in 1996, with French photographer director Jean-Paul Goude. The Chanel No. 5 campaign with director Luc Besson followed in 1998; both campaigns happened while she was managed by George Gallier.
On May 24, 2011, Warren was arrested in Los Angeles after she allegedly hit three parked cars with her Toyota Prius and then fled the scene. Police eventually found her and arrested her for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).[10] During her arrest she allegedly kicked an officer and resisted being handcuffed. Later, at the police station where her arrest was being booked, she managed to slip her cuffs and run, but was quickly recaptured. Ultimately she was charged with DUI, hit-and-run, battery on a police officer and resisting a police officer.[11] Her bail was set at $100,000.[12] On August 19, 2011, Warren entered a no-contest plea to the drunken driving charge and the other charges were dropped;[13] she was ordered to a residential rehab facility for four months.[14]
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department recorded Warren's date of birth as December 23, 1970.[15][16] Although Warren's 1978 birth year is well established,[1][17][18] some news sources then reported that she was born in 1970 or cited her age as if she were born that year.[11][15]
In 2017, Warren was arrested for domestic violence after allegedly throwing cleaning fluid at her boyfriend.[19]
