Christina Hendricks, star of hit show Mad Men, has made a name for herself in the entertainment and fashion industry by recreating the role of the “sexy secretary.” Her voluptuous curves and fiery red hair demand the attention of all. Christina’s Harper’s Bazaar shoot is a direct reflection of the image she’s brought to life as the new age Marilyn Monroe.

On her sex appeal:

“Women hit on me. My husband thinks it’s so odd that so many women hit on me.” Gay men too. “They say to me, ‘Well, I’m not straight, but if I was…’ I think it’s so flattering.”

On becoming a positive role model for curvy women:

“When the attention started to be about my figure, I was surprised, because it wasn’t something I was focused on. And then it became very positive, and people were saying very nice things.” During Mad Men’s first season, she and Arend were at dinner when a fan approached her and said, “‘Excuse me, I just want to tell you that I watch your show, and you make me feel better about myself. I am a curvy woman, and you’ve made me feel sexy and beautiful.’ I got teary eyed.” Christina tears up again at the memory. “I remember Geoffrey saying, ‘That’s what you’re doing for people. That’s amazing.’ And I said, ‘I’m just trying to be a good actress and trying to tell a story, but if this is the sidebar, all this positivity, then that is awesome.’”

Christina Hendricks Sexy Pin-Up Girl In British GQ

On the negative attention she received for her Golden Globes gown:

“To say something like that and put it next to a distorted picture discredits you entirely. And it hurt my feelings. I thought that dress was stunning. I stand by that dress to this day. I had just gotten back from my honeymoon, and I felt beautiful in those pictures. I was smiling and beaming, and I felt like a goddess. It’s a celebration, and I’m here because the show I work on is being recognized as excellent work. And you’re going to tell everyone in the world that I was wearing a sh***y dress? Let me go to a party and wear my pretty dress!”

Christina Hendricks’ Perfect Golden Globes

On dieting and going through puberty:

“My mother never said to lose weight. Diets were never a big deal. My mom was always beautiful and voluptuous and curvy, and I always thought she was gorgeous. I did have doubts about my figure when I was 12, 14. I was a dancer, but my body was changing. Then all of a sudden I started getting boobs and my body wasn’t playing along with my game plan. It got depressing for a bit, because I desperately wanted to be a ballerina.”

I find Christina quite refreshing. It’s nice to hear the positive and negative sides to being in the spotlight, and I’ve always adored celebrities who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is. Her interview is very inspiring and truthful. Check out the rest of it HERE.

Christina Hendricks Harper’s Bazaar Photos

[images: Harper's Bazaar]