Gene Simmons launched into superstardom behind a full face of makeup, but his 22-year-old model daughter has ditched makeup — and Photoshop — for a sexy photo shoot.
“I think we send out a lot of lies to young girls,” Sophie Tweed-Simmons revealed to Galore. “Models even admit to not looking like their photos. There is already so much you can do to alter your appearance, make-up, extensions, [Spanx], all the little things we think make us look attractive. Here is my stance on it: make-up, hair and clothing and your body should be a reflection of who you are on the inside, not who you are trying to emulate.”
She continued, “I have a birthmark on my face that I’m proud of and I’m a size 8, not exactly model material. But I don’t see why I can’t be whatever I want.”
Growing up in the Simmons family wasn’t always easy for the former “X Factor” contestant. Her mother, Shannon Tweed, was a model, actress and Playmate of the Year in 1982.
“My whole family is tall and slim and ALL the girls are 6-foot-plus and blonde,” she said. “I’m 5-foot-9 and brunette with let’s say a curvier body, and it wasn’t always in the right places. I felt pressure not only to look like the celebrities I love but to fit into my family. I struggle with weight constantly, but I found a place where my body is healthy, and I’m happy with that.”
Although Gene Simmons, recently gained some bad press for his controversial statements about suicide, the model had nothing but praise for her father.
“He does not tolerate laziness and I’m thankful for that,” she said. “It wasn’t so much his music as it was his work ethic. There are no vacations, or days off. We work Monday through Sunday and I will always answer my phone. There is [definitely] a pressure to be an overachiever.”
Currently, Tweed-Simmons is modeling and working with her charity, Sophie’s Place, but she is hoping to jump-start her acting career soon.