Supermodel Adriana Lima talks with Long Island kids

We met international supermodel Adriana Lima at the Gramercy Park Hotel in Manhattan. She is also the host of “American Beauty Star” on A&E television network.

Tell us why you decided to become a producer of this new show.

When I got the call to be part of the show, I never thought that it would be possible for me to host the show. And when I got an offer from the producer of the show, I feel very lucky because I get a part to create some ideas behind the challenges. So I’m learning as we go because this is the first time I host a TV show and we have different challenges that I hope you guys enjoy.

Has anyone ever tried to come up on the runway while you were walking?

Not yet. Not yet, and I hope it will stay that way. It would be very scary.

Where did you get your inspiration for your new show?

My inspiration for my new show is my children. They actually inspire me in everything I do, in my everyday work. I want to make them proud when they see me or when I come home or in the future. So everything I do is thinking of them.

Hair and makeup are a multibillion-dollar industry. What will the viewers learn from your show?

There are many things. You’re going to learn, you’re going to see what goes behind the creation, the process. It’s not only a picture when you do. You know how they get inspired. And hair and makeup artists, where they come from. Why they decided to follow hair or be a hair stylist, for example. . . . How do they [the models] feel about how they’ve been treated? How they feel about how they look. You know, it’s not only about hair. It’s about how you feel and what is behind it.

What do you think is the next fashion for girls?

The next fashion for girls, you know, I believe that every girl should create their own fashion, whatever it is. If you want to wear pink lipstick to a formal, wear a sock in different color, just do it — like, you make the trends. You don’t follow. So whatever you want to do, you just make your own statement.

How do you pick your look?

My look for the runway? It depends. . . . Fashion shows, usually we don’t get a chance to pick our looks. But sometimes if you feel a little uncomfortable, you can change certain things. But when you do red carpet appearances — which could be, for example, the Golden Globes or Emmys or something like that — you can pick what you wear. And it depends, I like to watch movies sometimes and get inspired by movies. And I want to feel comfortable, too. Sometimes my kids pick for me, too. And yes, OK, I like it. And they have good taste. I like it usually. They love high heels. I would go in the flat shoes.

What advice would you give this generation of females with respect to wearing makeup and having their hair done? Does this make a woman more appealing?

I think it’s about how you feel. If you feel comfortable not wearing makeup, great. If you want to wear a lip balm, wear a lip balm. Red lipstick, which is my thing, wear it. It’s about how you feel, really, and what you like. It’s not about following what people are telling you to do.

Would you encourage your daughters to enter beauty pageants?

I think I can see whatever makes them happy, I would be supportive of them. I see my oldest daughter, I think she will definitely become a model. Whatever is happiness for them, I will be right there. As long as they finish school.

What is your biggest fear while walking on the runway?

You know, sometimes the floor is very slippery and sometimes you put sand on the floor on the runway. And we’re walking with shoes like this, so it’s not easy. Sometimes we have dresses and it will be kind of embarrassing if you fall down. So that’s the biggest fear, falling down on the runway — it’s so silly.

You are considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. Describe to us what makes a woman beautiful.

I think what makes a woman beautiful is them being themselves, embracing who they are. Whatever it is, if your personality — if you’re nervous, if you’re shy, you just embrace that. And there is no such thing as perfect in life. Imperfections are also beautiful, and you just accept yourself in the way you are. That’s the beauty.

What styling tips would you recommend for the holidays?

I live in Miami. And everything, it’s quite hot there, so I would probably be in a dress or something flowy, but if I travel, I always wear black. You know, I don’t usually follow trends so much. I have my own thing going on. So it’s all about how I feel. I have three colors that I love — red, white and black. So you’re always going to see me wearing those no matter what trend is out there.

Do you do anything different with your look for the holidays?

I’m from Brazil, so I would spend time with my family, and also, my hometown is Miami — it’s very hot. And I will be in my dress, too.

Where was the point in your life when you realized you wanted to become a supermodel?

You know, I never thought I was going to be a model, and I never looked for that. I thought I was going to be a doctor. I was in school like you girls. I think I was like 16. Please finish your school — don’t do what I did. My friend at school, she wanted to go to a modeling contest and she did not want to go alone. So we sent our pictures together. They called me. They did not call her. But I was going to go just to be with her, as a companion. . . . I ask, “What should I do?” She’s like, “I think you should go for it.” And I went for the contest. She was there watching. And that’s how everything started. I went in Brazil, the finals were here in the United States and I did not win. I was second. And then they called me to come to New York to see a few different photographers, and I start working right away. And yes, I did finish school, I had to.

As a kid, did you like fashion and makeup?

I did not know anything about fashion and makeup and designers and brands. I did not pay attention. All I cared, it was family, friends and school, really. The only image that I have from my childhood about fashion, it was my mom and her lipstick. I know that she always loved lipstick, no matter what, on the weekend, always would have that — it was like a brownish color. And she still does that, and that’s the only thing that I have that I know and that I brought with me from Brazil about fashion. I didn’t know anything. If you would ask me until what age, “What is ‘Vogue’?” I would say, “No, what is that?”