Cheri is a French pornographic magazine that featured models who later became famous in adult entertainment and mainstream media. It was published from October 1962 until March 1984. In 1976, the magazine merged with Playboy and Penthouse to form Oui, but continued under its original name as a separate section within Oui. Cheri's reputation for high-quality photography attracted many aspiring models who were looking to break into the industry. Here are some examples of models who used their work in Cheri as a stepping stone to success:
Brigitte Bardot: One of France's most iconic actresses, Bardot started her career as a model in Cheri before transitioning to film. Her role in And God Created Woman helped launch her international fame, and she went on to star in films such as Contempt and The Night Heaven Fell.
Audrey Hepburn: Before becoming an actress, Hepburn worked as a model and appeared on the cover of Cheri in 1955. She would go on to appear in Breakfast at Tiffany's and My Fair Lady, cementing her status as a Hollywood legend.
Nastassja Kinski: After appearing in Cheri in 1976, Kinski starred in Stay As You Are and Cat People, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She also appeared in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.
Uma Thurman: Thurman was featured in Cheri in 1988 and later became known for her roles in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill. She has also appeared in several mainstream films, including The Avengers and Batman & Robin.
Kelly LeBrock: LeBrock modeled for Cheri before starring in The Woman in Red and Weird Science. She has since had a successful career as an actress, with appearances in Hard to Kill and Naked Gun 33⅓.
Teri Garr: Garr modeled for Cheri in the early 1960s before finding success in Tootsie and Young Frankenstein. She also appeared in The Man with Two Brains and Mars Attacks!
Christina Applegate: Applegate modeled for Cheri before transitioning into acting, landing roles in Married.with Children and Anchorman. She has since won Emmy Awards for her work in Netflix's Dead to Me and ABC's Up All Night.
Sarah Jessica Parker: Parker began her modeling career by posing for Cheri in the late '70s and went on to appear in Sex and the City and Hocus Pocus. She is now known for her work in independent films such as Blue Night and The Family Stone.
It is clear that Cheri provided a platform for many models who would go on to achieve significant fame and success in other industries. Its reputation for quality photography helped lend credibility to emerging talent and gave them exposure that could launch their careers. While some of these women may not have achieved fame without their time at Cheri, it was undoubtedly an important stepping stone on their path to success.