Gisele Bündchen, the renowned supermodel, recently clarified the correct pronunciation of her name, which has been consistently mispronounced by many. In a throwback video from her appearance on the "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" show in 2005, Bündchen explained the proper way to say her Portuguese name.
Reflecting on her journey to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a modeling career despite limited English proficiency, Bündchen shared how the mispronunciation of her name became a recurring issue during castings and interactions with directors.
In Portuguese, Bündchen's name is pronounced as "Gisele-y," with a long vowel "e" at the end. While in Brazil, the "e" is pronounced as an "I," English-speaking countries tend to omit the last part of her name, making the "e" silent.
Despite her efforts to correct people early in her career, Bündchen eventually resigned to the mispronunciation. She humorously remarked, "So, whatever, it was Gisele in the end, I guess. Call me whatever you feel like."
Aside from the name mishaps, Bündchen shared a funny anecdote from her early days as a model when she was misled by fellow models into believing that a certain term was a form of endearment. This led to some hilarious and awkward situations, including unknowingly using the term with her doorman.
Although the language barrier and cultural misunderstandings provided moments of amusement, Bündchen also faced challenges in her personal life, including her split from ex-husband Tom Brady after 13 years of marriage. Despite the ups and downs, Bündchen continues to captivate audiences with her grace and humor.
While navigating the complexities of fame and relationships, Gisele Bündchen remains an iconic figure in the fashion industry, known not only for her beauty but also for her resilience and ability to find humor in life's quirks.
