Issue date:
June 5-7, 1998

Gabrielle Reece

The mighty beach volleyball star, 28, redefines what it means to be ladylike. She tells women to get in touch with their masculine side -- from the boardroom to the bedroom.

he sweats. She roars. She scares grown men the way she pounds volleyballs. And yet former model Gabrielle Reece, the 6-foot-3 volleyball sensation, redefines the word "feminine." If you think she's assertive as a player, try keeping up with her verbal volleys. She serves up her convictions like cannonballs. Her advice for tall women who try to disguise their height: "Stand up straight! You only look taller hunched over." So what if shorter guys are intimidated? "There's nothing more attractive than a tall person standing up straight."

The rules for what's considered ladylike are changing, says Reece, 28, who grew up in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She has noticed more athletes being voted homecoming queens. She herself is the ultra-beauty-jock, having broadened her fan base by drag-racing, sky-diving and kayaking on TV sports shows. She met her husband, top surfer Laird Hamilton, while riding monster waves in Hawaii.

Reece encourages women to explore their masculine side, even in the bedroom. If you admire your man's physique, instead of blushing, she says, speak frankly, as a man might. "Take an aggressive stance. Don't just tell a man how nice he looks in a tuxedo. When you're intimate, tell him, 'Hey -- looking good!' ''

She's blunt when comparing the sexes. "They say boys are problem-solvers and girls talk about their problems. There's truth in that." That's why she urges girls to play team sports. "When you're just hanging out with chicks, you're deciding, 'Should we go to the mall or the movies?' But on a team, you set goals, you work together. If a teammate makes you angry, you can't say, 'I'm not hanging out with her anymore.' The best player may be the one who drives you nuts, but you understand her importance."

Reece is aware that some beach volleyball fans tune in for the bikinis. "Whatever gets people to pay attention" is fine by her. "Once you watch, you realize the caliber of the athlete."

Photo Credit: PETER READ MILLER FOR USA WEEKEND

Be realistic about your body shape:
"I can't be 5-foot-5. I passed that a long time ago. If you have big hips, that's what you have. Certainly, you can find ways to enhance yourself. But work from your canvas."

Don't be afraid to eat:
"Not eating is counter-productive. You can't build muscle without food. Eat every four hours -- snacks, not meals -- until a couple of hours before bed. Keep putting things in your engine. Just try to stay away from fake foods."

Outgrow rebellion:
"I tell teens you get to the point where you're no longer rebelling against parents, teachers or coaches. You're just rebelling against yourself."

Age with an attitude:
"Lauren Bacall doesn't apologize for getting older. I've seen fantastic women with wrinkles. They have an attitude that's beautiful."

ASK REECE FOR ADVICE

Gabrielle Reece will write or call a reader who seeks advice. By June 14, 1998, write to "Straight Talk," P.O. Box 3455, Chicago, Ill. 60654 (fax: 312-661-0375; e-mail: talk@usaweekend.com).

Zaslow is an advice columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times.