Who is the girl in the Gillette Venus commercial?
Unveiling the woman behind the skin‑confidence message
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Who is the girl?
Gillette Venus’s “My Skin. My Way.” campaign launched in October 2018 spotlighted a range of women celebrating skin diversity and confidence. At the forefront of that campaign was Bianca Schönhofer (also known as Bianca Rosemarie) — a biology student from Vienna, Austria, and the brand’s first model with vitiligo, a condition that causes loss of skin pigment in patches.
Bianca appears early in the ad painting a seawall, then shaving against a sunny backdrop — her presence sends a powerful message: “flaws,” scars, and all, are valid and beautiful.
About the campaign
The 2018 “My Skin. My Way.” campaign was developed by Grey New York and shot by a female-led crew to reflect inclusivity. It featured women with tattoos, scars, stretch marks, and varied identities, intentionally pushing back against conventional beauty ads. The tagline: “No retouching. No rules.” encouraged self‑acceptance across all skin types.
Why Bianca Schönhofer matters
Bianca, 25 at the time, is of mixed Austrian and Nigerian heritage and had struggled with self‑image growing up with vitiligo. She has shared how stories like hers challenge stereotypes and offer representation to under‑served communities.
Her participation was celebrated as a major step in normalizing vitiligo in mainstream beauty advertising.
Common confusions clarified
Some sources have erroneously claimed the model is Juliana Herz, a Brazilian model. However, credible coverage and campaign credits consistently identify Bianca Schönhofer / Bianca Rosemarie as the featured talent with vitiligo. The misattribution appears widespread online, but lacks basis in confirmed film credit.
Message & social impact
Bianca’s inclusion tied into broader movement:
A push for greater authenticity in advertising, rejecting unrealistic beauty norms and digital retouching.
Encouraging self‑empowerment: “No one gets an opinion on why you shave, or how you show your skin.” The ad underscores that grooming is a personal choice, not societal demand.
Recognition by advocates and the vitiligo community welcomed Venus’ campaign for representation and inclusivity.
Summary and legacy
Bianca Schönhofer’s appearance in this Gillette Venus commercial is emblematic of a shift in beauty marketing: featuring real, diverse skin, and celebrating all versions of beauty. Her story in the ad remains a landmark moment in inclusive advertising, reminding viewers that confidence is skin‑deep — and precisely as you are.
Acting Magazine Newsletters
Never miss out on the best from Acting Magazine.