This is Carré Otis (Wild Orchid) doing now

Once an iconic figure in the fashion world of the '80s and '90s, she soared to international fame, partly thanks to her film debut in the thriller 'Wild Orchid' (1989). Let's take a stroll through Carré Otis's challenging career and personal life, discovering what she's up to now and how she's transformed.

Born in San Francisco, California, on September 28, 1968, Carré Otis found her niche in the fashion world at a tender age, becoming a familiar face for prestigious brands like Gianni Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Guess?, Blumarine, Revlon, Giorgio Armani, and Max Mara.

Carré Otis has modeled for numerous magazines, including Vogue, GQ, Esquire, Marie Claire, P l a y b o y, Allure, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and Elle.

In 1989, she made her unforgettable screen debut in 'Wild Orchid,' starring alongside Mickey Rourke, who was at the height of his success after '9 ½ Weeks' just three years earlier.

In the film, she played the protagonist, Emily, a young graduate accompanying her boss to Rio de Janeiro, where she falls for a businessman.

According to Famous People, Otis later revealed that her experience on the set of 'Wild Orchid' was far from easy, citing her inexperience and difficult working conditions, even claiming to have been exploited in different ways.

Carré Otis reached superstar status not only through the famous film but also through her romance with co-star Mickey Rourke, whom she married in 1992.

She later described these experiences in her memoir'Beauty, Disrupted: A Memoir.' She talks about her encounters with Rourke and 'Wild Orchid' director Zalman King, describing it as a pivotal moment that led her down a long and dark path.

Their stormy marriage lasted until their divorce in 1998. For Otis, those were dark years marked by psychological violence, eating disorders and substance abuse.

To illustrate just how dark and intense it was, she explained that Rourke proposed by threatening to take his life with a sword if she said no. "Did I have a gut feeling that this was totally inappropriate? Yeah, but like so many times, I just shoved it aside and I just needed to obey," she told the Huffington Post in 2011.

She acknowledged that the abuse in the relationship was "textbook" as was her inability to get away. "We were both from really dysfunctional backgrounds and we both had the perfect ground to feed that dysfunction because we didn’t have tools and I was a kid! I was a young person and obviously greatly influenced by one of America’s greatest actors at that moment," she continued.

After her marriage with Mickey Rourke ended, Carré Otis resumed her modeling career, becoming one of the "oldest" top models to appear in the 2000 edition of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue at 32 years old.

Despite her fame, her filmography is relatively short. Other films she appeared in include 'Exit in Red' (1996), again with Rourke, 'Simon Says' (1998), and the TV movie 'Going Back' (2001).

In 2001, she featured in the documentary-style TV series 'E! True Hollywood Story,' produced by E! Entertainment Television, which delves into the lives of famous figures from entertainment, cinema, music, and fashion.

In 2003, Otis became a spokesperson for the 'National Eating Disorders Awareness Week,' actively raising awareness about eating disorders.

Her journey through the worlds of fashion and cinema has been fraught with difficulties, as she revealed in recent years, leading her to gradually retreat from the limelight to a more private and balanced life.

In 2019, after years of absence and few appearances on TV or film, she returned to the public eye to speak out against the abuses and exploitation she faced early in her modeling career, contributing to the debate on unethical practices in the fashion industry.

In an interview with Italian daily La Repubblica, she discussed her shift towards a healthier lifestyle: "My life is a healing journey, and through Buddhism, I've strived to become a better person. I write on Instagram because I'm tired of people pretending everything is perfect. Life is light and shadow. There are days I feel great and others when I suffer."

Otis added: "Over the years, I've worked with a specialist to heal still-open wounds. But I'm fortunate to have my community: family, friends. I don't care what people think of me. I am authentic, and that's how I want to live."

The former top model and actress is also known for her involvement in various charitable causes and supporting organizations like 'The Trevor Project,' focusing on mental health among young LGBTQ+ individuals.

Today, Carré Otis continues to be a prominent figure in the fashion industry, but with a focus more on wellness and health. Through her social media presence, she sends a clear message about body positivity and self-acceptance, especially to those aspiring to enter the fashion world.

Image: Instagram @iamcarreotis

Though some wounds are "not yet healed," as previously mentioned, Carré Otis has found a certain balance in life, thanks in part to her family, including her husband and two daughters.

Credit: Instagram @iamcarreotis

Carré Otis's story is undoubtedly one of strength and resilience, showing that adversity can be overcome. For her, it even helped transform her into a symbol of hope and inspiration for many.

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