Gabrielle Richens | |
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Born |
Kent, England, UK |
14 September 1974
Gabrielle Richens is a British model and TV presenter. She was born in Kent of British, Indian and Chinese extraction although her parents are from South Africa. Richens has worked as a model since she was fifteen when she signed with the Elite modeling agency. She was nicknamed "The Pleasure Machine" after an airline commercial she appeared in although she has said she does not care for the name. She has risen to fame in particular in Australia.
Richens placed in the UK edition of FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World in 2002 (41st), 2003 (69th) and 2004 (71st).
Richens shot to fame in Australia following her highly publicised relationship with professional rugby league footballer Solomon Haumono. The publicity surrounding their relationship focused on the manner in which the pair met and Haumono's actions subsequent to this. After having met Richens in a Sydney night club, Haumono, then a contracted player to the Canterbury Bulldogs Rugby League Club, left for the United Kingdom to be with Richens. Haumono had not informed his family or his club of his decision and this highly jeopardised his rugby league career. Much debate was generated as to whether his contract with the Bulldogs should have been terminated upon his return to Australia as a result of his actions. Richens and Haumono are no longer together. The trip was a ruse by Solomon Haumono to force the Bulldogs to sack him and enable him to resume his career with the St George Dragons.