Sara Sampaio's appearance at the Superman premiere was a smart homage to the film's heritage.

Sara Sampaio's appearance at the Superman premiere was a smart homage to the film's heritage.

      Sara Sampaio has already experienced what many consider the ultimate dream. She made history as the first Portuguese model to grace the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, walked the Victoria's Secret runway six times, donned the brand's iconic Bombshell Bra on stage, and has graced numerous magazine covers worldwide, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and GQ. Now, at 33, she is finally pursuing her dream of becoming an actress. Rather than entering Hollywood quietly, Sampaio is making a bold entrance. She has secured her largest acting role in James Gunn's highly anticipated Superman reboot, which is set to premiere this week. She portrays Eve Teschmacher, a sharp and captivating personal assistant who may also be Lex Luthor's (played by Nicholas Hoult) love interest. This character, rooted in the original Superman films, has been reimagined for a new audience.

      Landing a role in Superman is not just a significant opportunity—it's a strategic move. The Superman franchise stands as one of the most enduring and culturally important in film history, boasting a legacy that extends nearly fifty years on screen and even longer in comics. For Sampaio, entering a universe that has launched numerous careers and captivated generations of fans adds depth and significance to her shift from model to actress. She is transitioning from runways to character narratives and demonstrating that her presence on camera extends beyond fashion advertisements.

      Speaking of presence, she showcased plenty on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere last night. With the assistance of stylist Emma Jade Morrison, Sampaio drew attention in a stunning Marmar Halim S/S 25 couture gown that exuded both strength and symbolism. The red color, long associated with Superman’s iconic cape and the bold glamour of Eve, perfectly set the tone for her role. Naturally, we had to get all the details. After the premiere, we spoke with Sampaio about the vision behind her red carpet look, which included supporting an Egyptian fashion designer and embodying the character of Eve Teschmacher.

      Let’s begin with your evening leading up to the Superman premiere in L.A. How was the experience as you prepared for the event?

      I was drinking plenty of water since I often feel dehydrated in L.A. Overall, it was a very relaxed day. I prefer silence before red carpet events; I find it helps me focus. I had my hair and makeup team, whom I’ve worked with for a long time, with me, making it a special experience. My three friends were there as well to help me choose the jewelry, which made it fun to share the moment with them.

      Are there any style icons you draw inspiration from when putting together your looks for a premiere or red carpet?

      I always gravitate toward classic, beautiful, modern, and elegant styles. I’m a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. They were both incredibly stunning and wore the most exquisite dresses, which inspired me a lot.

      What caught your attention about the Marmar Halim dress on the rack? Did you try on many options?

      During the fitting, there were various dress styles available. The red Marmar Halim dress was actually the last one I tried on. As soon as I slipped it on, I knew it was the one. It fit perfectly and made me smile. Red is my favorite color, and given that it’s Superman’s color, it felt like it was destined for the premiere.

      Do you believe the dress symbolized Eve and her bold, glamorous character?

      Absolutely. Eve is all about color and fashion. I had the most dresses in the film compared to others, so I’m sure she would have adored and worn this red dress, but she probably would have styled it in an even more extravagant way.

      Let’s discuss your glam. Did you and your team brainstorm ideas prior to the day of the premiere? What aspects did you consider for the makeup and hair?

      Once I wear a dress, I instantly know how I want my hair and makeup to look. If I don’t, it usually means the dress isn’t right. After I chose the red dress, I knew I wanted my hair to be both down and pulled back. I aimed for a shiny, soft, and flowing style that matched the dress—a look I’ve done before with my hairstylist, Vasco Freitas. It was a special moment since he's also from Portugal. For makeup, I wanted a simple, beautiful, glowing, and fresh look. My makeup artist, Daniel Kolaric, is fantastic. He trained with Pat McGrath and is one of the top professionals in the industry.

      Changing topics, I saw your interview with DC Comics, where you mentioned that acting has always been a dream of yours. What do you think ignited that passion?

      Since childhood, I’ve always loved performing. Drama was my favorite class in school. Although I wanted to study drama in university, I chose a different field

Sara Sampaio's appearance at the Superman premiere was a smart homage to the film's heritage. Sara Sampaio's appearance at the Superman premiere was a smart homage to the film's heritage. Sara Sampaio's appearance at the Superman premiere was a smart homage to the film's heritage. Sara Sampaio's appearance at the Superman premiere was a smart homage to the film's heritage. Sara Sampaio's appearance at the Superman premiere was a smart homage to the film's heritage. Sara Sampaio's appearance at the Superman premiere was a smart homage to the film's heritage.

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Sara Sampaio's appearance at the Superman premiere was a smart homage to the film's heritage.

The former model, now actress, excels in her most significant acting role to date.