Child prodigies are always a little disturbing. Remember Mozart. But Vanessa Paradis has her head square on her shoulders. Thrown into a world of adults who sometimes look at her like she doesn't belong there, Vanessa knew how to secure her place in that world. And better yet: to be essential to it. To what do you attribute you immense success, Vanessa? I hope I have talent. But what I'm certain is, I have a lot of luck. Speak to me about your childhood. I had a very happy childhood, because I have incredible parents. I hope I'll manage to raise my children the same way they raised me. In our house, there were no taboo subjets. Usually, when parents are with friends and they're talking about certain topics, they change the subject when the children enter in the room. Or, they send them upstairs to bed. That was never the case at our house. When my parents discussed drugs, sex, or violence, for example, we all spoke about it together. How do you react to teenagers addicted to drugs? I have a lot of compassion for them. When you see people like that, you want to help them, not push them aside. Until not too long ago, I didn't know at what point drug usage became so serious. You talk about it with friends, but you realize that you're really small in the face of this huge plague. There are so many problems in this world that move me... For example? The environment, the ecology... There are a large number of fires every years in Europe. When a forest burns, it's like its spirit is leaving in smoke. There will come a day when there are no more trees, no more forests: they'll have been replaced by concrete, and that breaks my heart. You are close to nature? Yes. I love flowers, animals, birds... Something totally natural should not be destroyed or changed. Does the world disappoint you in some way? Yes. When I entered this profession, at 14 years old, I was very young, very naive, and I believed that everyone was nice. I liked everyone and I thought everyone liked each other. I came to realize it wasn't true, and that's really a pity. I look at this world, and all that hope for it is that it doesn't get worse. Personally, I do my part, I participate intensely with the Restaurants of the Heart, in France. I listen to you and find you a bit pessimistic, no? No. The world may not be so great, but my life is great. The world may be unreliable, but my friends and my family are highly reliable people. And I am very happy with them. Naturally, when I say that my life is great, I shouldn't exaggerate, I have not so great moments like everyone else. You can't escape them. But the people who surround me are there for me to lean on their shoulders in any circustance. If we talk about Quebec... What do you like in particular about here? The people. They are nice and particularly welcoming. When I came here last year, it was so magical. The people of Quebec are very pleasant. Is it easy to be a star in France? First of, I don't like the word star... but no, it's not easy. Like I told you, I entered into this profession very naive, filled with wonder, big round eyes and all that. I quickly realized that in France, when you're young and have a lot of success, people don't like that. The press beat you up a lot? Absolutely. And it's a long-term brawl. But whatever, in one profession or another, there will always be battles in life. We've seen you naked in a film. Will you continue to agree to those types of films? No. I think in these times you don't have to get naked to be an actress. It was a debut, and I had to learn. When you make a mistake, do you believe it's for the best, eventually? Yes. That way you learn quicker: by taking some hits. When you do stupid things, you lean not to repeat them. Do you believe life will continue to be beautiful for you? I'm not Ms. Sunshine, but I hope so. No matter what, when someone does something nasty to me or makes me unhappy, I know they will pay for it one day. That's the way things work. Can you define yourself in a few words? I'm a Capricorne and a Sagittarius at the same time. Therefore, I'm sincere, spontaneous, intuitive, generous, and hard-working. I strongly believe in the power of the planets on us. What's the most important thing to you in life? To have people be sincere with me. But more important still is love, friendship, and my relationships with my friends and family. Is it possible to have true friends in the world you live in? I know it's possible because I have some. I know I can count on them, they've proven it to me. And once my friend, always my friend. Thus you are faithful? Yes. And I would not support someone who's been unfaithful to me. A day in the life of Vanessa Paradis, what's it like? First off, I'm a night person. Therefore, I never wake up before 11 a.m. Then, there's promotion: radio, TV, etc. Other days, there's shopping. Or, I'll see my parents in the country. Lastly, there are certain days when I don't have anything do, and I rest. I listen to music. I adore Mozart, Pavarotti, the Rolling Stones, Prince, etc. Do you have a hobby? I ride motorcycles. I love the feel of the wind againt my face. When I'm driving a motorcycle, I feel sincerely free. If you were reincarnated as an animal, which would you choose? A cat, because she's free. And independent. And she cuddles all day. You who travel a lot, what sticks in your head from your different trips? The differences. For example, when I come here, even if it's a cold country, it's the heat I remember when I go home. With New York, it's the madness, the size, the impressive things. Here too, it's the size. In Paris, when you want to park your car, it's necessary to go around 40,000 times before you find a space... here, it's roomy. You don't feel smothered. Finally, what I remember most is the look of my surroundings. When I'm in Italy, I feel like I'm in a film. When you're older, you won't feel like you didn't have an adolescence? I'm unable to speak about the future. I'm aware that it can all stop tomorro. If somebody tells me: "You got too fast, the years are flashing by," they're right, perhaps. But what I know is that if this all stops tomorrow, I will have done a ton of things and I'll be very glad to have done them. My adolesence will have been well-spent. What do you do with all the money you earn, Vanessa? I have access to only 20%. The rest is blocked, I'll get to it later on. Money, it's like success, it's so fleeting, tomorrow you can find yourself penniless. Why make it so important? What is happiness to you? When I visit my parents in the country. There's no noise, there's a barn, a brooke that flows nearby, a pretty little house... Can a girl like you still have dreams? So many dreams have come true up till now. If I've one dream left, it's never to leave those Iove. My career often keeps me away from my family. I don't want to lose one more minute. I don't want to find myself at 40 years old, realizing that there's not much time left for me to spend with them. To wrap things up, Vanessa, if I asked you what moves you most in this life, what would the answer be? Children. There is nothing more beautiful than children. Thank you, Vanessa.