Frieda Pinto TIFF L'Oreal event at the Trump Hotel. (Picture by Ryan Emberley)
Indian-born star takes on role of brand ambassador for L’Oreal
Actress Freida Pinto returned to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the launch pad for her Hollywood fame where her very first film Slumdog Millionaire premiered in 2008. This year Pinto took on the role of L’Oreal spokesperson at the festival, fulfilling a long standing dream, once described as impossible.
As a young model in Mumbai Pinto told her make-up artist, “I want to be a brand ambassador for L’Oreal one day.”
The artist turned to Pinto’s make-up chair and responded, “Sorry babe, I don’t think so.”
This year Pinto took on the role of L’Oreal spokesperson. (Picture by Mahesh Abeyewardene)
Pinto says she no longer employs that make-up artist, a story that drew laughter at a cocktail party hosted by the actress at Toronto’s Trump Hotel recently to launch L’Oreal Paris Privee by Colour Rich at TIFF.
TIFF was poignant for Pinto as she walked on the red carpet for the premiere of Slumdog Millionaire in 2008, a film that won the People’s Choice Award and went on to win multiple awards including the Academy award for Best Picture.
Pinto's story struck a chord with Canadian actress Cara Gee. (Picture by Mahesh Abeyewardene)
Since then, she has walked the carpet many times at TIFF premieres, You Will Meet a Talk Dark Stranger (2010), Miral (2010) and Trishna (2011). However, this year she was here as spokeswoman for a product inspired by her and three other entertainment icons, Doutzen Kroes, Jennifer Lopez, and Eva Longoria.
Pinto: Fulfilling a long standing dream. (Picture by Ryan Emberley)
It was a far cry from 2008, when Pinto arrived with expectations to pose for many cameras for the red carpet premiere of Slumdog Millionaire at Ryerson Theatre.
“I stepped out of this nice car onto the red carpet and there were literally only two people, a photographer and her assistant. By the way, it was the photographer we called,” said the actress.
Her words struck a chord with young Canadian actress Cara Gee, who was also attending the event, she was named a TIFF rising star for her role in Empire of Dirt, a film centering on three generations of Canadian Aboriginal women.
Pinto recalls her first ever red carpet moment five years ago in Toronto. (Picture by Mahesh Abeyewardene)
