Gisele Bundchen shows off all of her glowing skin on the May cover of Vanity Fair. In the interview, the supermodel has a lot to say about her new husband Tom Brady and her stepson John. While her words might cause some controversy, it sounds like it's all coming from the love in her heart. Here's more:

- On falling in love with Tom: "I knew right away — the first time I saw him. We met through a friend. The moment I saw him, he smiled and I was like, That is the most beautiful, charismatic smile I’ve ever seen! We sat and talked for three hours. I had to go home for Christmas, but I didn’t want to leave. You know that feeling of, like, you can’t get enough? From the first day we met, we’ve never spent one day without speaking to each other."
- On finding out Tom's ex was pregnant: "It was definitely a surprise for both of us. In the beginning you’re living this romantic fantasy; you’re thinking, This can’t be true, it’s so good! And then, Whoops—wake-up call! We were dating two and a half months when he found out, and it was a very challenging situation. Obviously, in the beginning, it’s not the ideal thing . . . I think it was a blessing, because otherwise I don’t think I would have known what he was made of, and he wouldn’t have known what I was made of . . . Our relationship has become so much stronger, and I think I wouldn’t be as certain as I am today if it weren’t for that."
- On John: "I understand that he has a mom, and I respect that, but to me it’s not like because somebody else delivered him, that’s not my child. I feel it is, 100 percent. I want him to have a great relationship with his mom, because that’s important, but I love him the same way as if he were mine. I already feel like he’s my son, from the first day."
To read what she has to say about her ex Leo and her plans for a big family, just read more.
- On Leo: "Leo is a really wonderful person. We still speak sometimes, and I’m friends with his mom. He still has one of my dogs. He’s done a lot for the environment, and I admire what he’s done. We know what we had; we were very young, and we grew together in a lot of ways. We were just not meant to be boyfriend and girlfriend, but I respect him enormously, and I wish him nothing but the best."
- On her future: "I would like a big family. I love children. When you come from a big family, you see that growing up you’re learning how to share. Your sisters have got your back; you’re not alone in this—‘We all support you!’ Your family provides that; it gives you a sense of safety, and it’s a very grounding feeling. That’s why I feel I can fly away, because I have those roots and they’re so deep. This is what I want to have in my life. This is why you get married—you want to create those roots together; you want to give that to your kids. I would also love to adopt a child from Brazil. When you come from São Paulo, you see five-year-olds sniffing glue on the corner. You think, If you make a difference in the life of one of them, that makes your time on this earth worthwhile. I will have a colorful family, like a rainbow. I have dogs from rescue; they are all my dogs. Children are like little angels—there’s no way you can’t love them."
Gisele also reveals that she was engaged a lot longer than people suspected, while raving about Tom throughout the interview. The couple have a second wedding coming up this Friday, and it sounds like newlywed bliss came even before they said "I do."
i can see how her comments about john could rub people the wrong way- but at the same time, it is nice to see that she has such a genuine love for him. in the end he'll be lucky to have so many people that love him.
1I fail to see the controversy. Gisele is just expressing how happy she is to be apart of John's and just happy as his step mom that he accepts her.
Also like I have been telling people John and Bridget were broken up before he ever found out she was pregnant.
I like her and she is real sweet and compassionate person to me. Very smart.
2wow, I'm sorry but as a mom myself, if anyone spoke that way about my child I'd have a problem with it. Its great that she feels strongly about that child but she isn't his mother. I personally would feel somewhat threatened by those comments. That said, it would be reassuring to know that someone cared for my child in my absence. Its a fine line though.
3well i think that it's really sweet what she has to say about everything. you don't often hear her talk so it's a welcome change. i like what she's saying about leo - and i hope that they can remain friends. as for being 'john's second mom' - i don't know.
4comments about John are totally appropriate and as a mom, I assume you would want everybody to love and treat your child like their own..not a mom yet but these are no brainers imo
5Ok, I really like her, and I think she is genuinely a good woman. However, as a mother of a 2 year old, if some woman claimed my daughter as her own I would just feel so angry, threatened, and hurt. She needs to give props to Tom's ex, at the least. She also downplays carrying and delivering a child, and what that means to a woman. I am sorry but children have only one mother; they can have as many special relationships as they want, but it is not fair to the child to confuse them in this way, nor the natural mom.
6Well, she *is* now married to the child's father andpresuming they stay married that long will be in the child's life in a very big way for the rest of his life. Considering the circumstances presented, where it could have been very easy for her to feel some resentment, I think it's nice she feels as she does. I think ideally a step-parent *should* love their step-children as their own...there's certainly enough sad and horrible tales out there of those who don't.
7And I don't think any child is going to forget who their real mother is.
I agree jaan_black. Surely "biological" mothers would want their child to be loved wholeheartedly.
8i think it is really sweet...
9I am a mom to a small child and I find what she is saying to be very mature and sweet.
10If another woman is going to be involved in raising my child, I would want her to love my kid and be a good influence.
I really like Gisele, she is more then a pretty face and body.
Exactly, mar--the benefit of that kind of love and caring is 100% to the child. I may get blasted for saying this but I think feeling/acting jealous, insecure or threatened is 100% on the biological mother who chooses to feel that way...and could in turn be the thing that probably confuses/hurts the kid.
11having been in the "step mom shoes" myself, i understand exactly where she's coming from. but on the other hand.. uuuhhh.. that's REALLY awkward. that child has only ONE mother, and it's not giselle. even if she feels that way, i don't think she should be expressing that publicly. i know if i were the mother, i'd be pretty damn pissed.
12Something about her rubs me the wrong way, and so does her husband.
13I think only John's mom can really deem Gisele's comments "controversial". Every family is different. At least she's up for the challenge (and joys) of raising him and being part of his life.
14As a someone's stepchild, I was so glad to read this. You *want* the step-parent to feel as though this child is his/her own because you *don't want* the child constantly questioning whether this person loves him as much as whatever biological children may follow. You want this person who is going to have a hand in raising your child to bond as strongly as possible with that child because, hey, you're not going to be there 24/7 and that love the step-parent has for your child is the basis of the trust that must grow between all of you. You don't want your kid to feel like the neighbor's kid or a stranger or somehow set apart in a house he should consider as his own. And without Gisele's love for him, that's exactly what John would experience, which is what I experienced. And it's awful: It affects how you feel about your siblings and your parent in that house.
I don't think Bridget should feel threatened; after all, John is and will always be HER biological baby. Gisele's comments don't belittle carrying and child birth at all; instead, it reinforces the idea that adoption works, that step-parenting can work, and that the strength of the bond between non-biological child/parent people can be fulfilling and wonderful. How does this take away from the relationship John has with his biological mom? If anything, it enhances that as well because he gets TWO beautiful, accomplished women to show him how to be a great man, someone who rises to an awkward occasion with grace, loyalty and love and an open heart.
I mean, just remember, at the end of the day YOUR baby belongs really only to himself. What happens when s/he falls in love with someone else? Goes to grade school and loves the teacher? You encourage those relationship, but discourage or feel threatened by this one. Think about why that is...
15Aw, that was a really sweet interview.. she seems very genuine.
16Gees some people are so friking sensitive. I have no problem with what she says about being Johns other mom, it's true!
17I love her, and she looks beautiful on the cover. I'm pretty sure that little boy's mom already knows Gisele feels that way about her son, and I think it's sweet. She might have articulated it a little awkwardly, but there's no doubt that she genuinely loves that little boy. Good for her.
18Nice interview. Not a big fan of Tom, but she seems solid.
19I think this interview has changed my view on Gisele... in a good way
20I think it's really sweet and genuine what she said about everyone, and there's no BS with her.
Plus, she never takes a bad photo, does she?
I see both sides of the argument. I think it's great that she loves John so much and doesn't view him as just a step-child. But I can also see how that would be hard for the mother to hear. But at the end of the day I think it's good that the kid has that much love and people looking out for him from all directions.
21It's good that she loves John as if he were her own. Bridget is in no way threatened, she is and will always be his mother. What I find odd is that Giselle and Bridget have never met.
22As a mother myself, I feel like I would want my child to be loved by their step parent. Like La Tua above me said, it would be a little difficult for the mother to hear that the step parent considers the child their own, but in the end, it's all for the child's benefit. As long as the mother is showing love, affection and involvement in their child's life, there should be no problem with the step parent feeling strongly towards their child.
23My daughter has a stepmom and this person acted caring while she was dating my ex, but as soon as they married, she told my ex that he could raise HIS daughter and she had already raised HER kids. She barely spoke to my daughter (who was 8 at the time) and when my daughter was at their house, she felt like a visitor. This was a horrible experience for my daughter and I would have been much happier if that stepmom had Gisele's attitude. When you marry someone who already has kids, you should not have the mine/yours mentality. It hurts the children. It makes them feel "less than." Little John is blessed to be surrounded by adults who care for him as "their own" because he IS. GOOD FOR GISELE!
24And trust me, children KNOW who their mother is. No one can replace her.
25I am confused. The "official" news about Bridget's pregnancy came out when she was 3 months along. 3 months pregnant actually means 2 1/2 months after conception. If Gisele & Tom had been dating for 2 1/2 month when they found out, what does that mean? That he started dating Gisele essentially at the same he was getting it on with Bridget? Or am I getting all of this wrong somehow?
It's nice that Gisele loves John like he's her own. But he is NOT her child. Gisele is not the one who takes care of him day in and day out. She isn't the one who didn't sleep for a year, wiped his poopy butt, and comforted him when he was sick. I have a 6 mo. old. Believe, there is a big difference between playing mommy on weekends, and actually having the responsibility for a little human being.
26^That's exactly what I was thinking. I found it odd that she even admitted that.
OR, maybe Bridget announced it after a few months?
27I guess there are two ways of looking at it...if I was in Bridget's shoes...I personally would feel a little jealous and hurt hearing about this....but then after a while - I'd put my son's feelings before my own - and realise that Gisele's attitude is what is best for my son - to have complete love and affection when my son is visiting his dad...
I think Gisele was quite blunt in this interview...but her comments show that her heart is in the right place...
28I was initially taken aback by the frankness of her feelings about John. But as somebody already said, the child will always know who its biological mother is and the bond with Gisele and John will always be different than that.
29I think that it's a good thing because just as someone mentioned above, some step parents tend to treat the step kids in a different way than their own, as if their outsiders, so I don't think what she said was wrong at all, I would feel very good to know that someone loves my child just as much as I do.
30I find her comments about John and his mom disrespectful. I have three step-children who I love very much, but I would never presume to say that they are mine 100%. And who the heck is she to say she wants him to have a great relationship with his mother? Why wouldn't he?
31I never really comment on articles online but after reading the amount of pathetic mother whining going on I had to open my mouth and i am sure i am going to piss people off but i'm entitled to my opinion and to share it just as all of you have. Gisele is in NO WAY claiming to be John's mother. She isn't trying to steal the kid from Bridget. We all know who the kid's mother is - she's the one with the stretch marks and the stretched out private areas who tried to trap her boyfriend by getting pregnant and then still got left for another woman- a super model none the less - but more importantly, the woman Tom loves. GOOD FOR HER. No one cares. They conceived a child and unfortunately even in the state she chose to get herself in ( i know it takes two, but a woman needs to be responsible for her body), HE STILL DIDN'T WANT HER. I'm sure Tom loves his son but he didn't want Bridget. I commend him for following his heart, and being with the woman he loves. And i commend Gisele for finding it possible to love a child that isn't hers as if it were- that can be very difficult. And mothers, get a grip. So you pushed a kid out of your vagina, honestly- millions of women do it, e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y.- it doesn't make you better, stronger or in any way more superior than anyone who hasn't. Because remember, there are women who can't so perhaps loving a stepchild as their own, is the closest they'll get, and for any of you to take that away is inhumane. No one wants your kid, trust me. But you have no right to attack Gisele or minimize the work that goes into caring for someone else's child.
32I think she meant the comments in a good way. To say that you feel that child is 100% yours is a little too much!
33I know I would not be happy to have someone say that about my children.
If there were ever another woman in my children's life I would want them to care for them and love them BUT NEVER say "I feel like this child is mine 100%". umm okay.
Every mother wants their children to be loved...but her comments were a bit disrespectful. I'm sure once she has her own children she'll feel a little different about that comment.
She didn't say that he's her's 100%. She just loves him as if he was.
About Bridget's announcement, did she say how far along she was or was it just assumed 3 months since that's usually when people announce it.
34Just posting to respond to Hockey's question.
Tom and Bridget had initially broken up in October 06 the last picture you of them was when they attended one of her friend's wedding. They were already broken up by then by they didn't announce it yet and he still went with out as an obligation. They reconciled briefly a couple of weeks after that but he ended things with her before Thanksgiving. He started seeing Gisele around Mid- December and Bridget broke the news that she was pregnant at the end of February of 07 when she was around 3 months by then. Tom found out Bridget was pregnant basically when everyone else did. She told him right before she publicaly announced it.
35Oh, Leo, why couldn't you commit to such a lovely, thoughtful person?
Why do you waste your time with that skanky famewh@re who will never be more than a Gisele wannabe?!?
Signed,
Sad Fan (but loving the interview with Gisele)
36She loves her husbands child as if it were own, my god the horror in that. If you read too much into her statement and take it as a slight to Bridgette you are so sadly mistaken. There are and always will be people who dislike this couple for the way they "supposedly treated" (do we really know what went on) Bridgette. That's fine, but to take a statement about her feelings for her husbands son so out of context is just spiteful. She will have an enormous role in this childs life and for her to be so accepting and loving is truly a gift for this child and for Bridgette. Mothers who are in situations similar to this (i included) would be so thankful for my child to be so loved. He's blessed to have so much love in his life, I'm not sure there are negative consequences to too much love is there?
37I think she expressed her feelings the way she knew how and as a mother I would not feel anything but pure joy that my son would be well loved and taken care of when we were apart.No one can replace Bridget she is John's mother and he knows that.I am a big Bridget fan and I think she has more confidence than to think ayone could take her child.She is an excellent mother.
38Don't care too much for Gisele, but you can tell that she has a genuine love for John, and that is so rare not at days, my ex loved and respected my fiance for loving my daughter as his own.
39I think her comments about John were completely out of line. If I were his mother I would be extremely annoyed. It is good that she loves this child (no child can have too many adults that love and care for them), but it's obviously a delicate situation and I think it requires greater sensitivity.
40Baloney. She made it crystal clear that Bridget IS John's mom, but that she loves John as if he were her own.
There was nothing remotely out of line about her comments. Would that ALL stepchildren have a stepmom that loving.
41Wow-
Let me just say that I have many examples in my circle of close friends with situations like this.
Usually the step moms that are not totally hands on have issues with the kids, especially when the child approaches the teen years.
The best thing a step parent can do is try to love the child as if it were their own- TRUST ME!!!!
42I can easily see this from Bridget's point of view.. the love of your life that you dated for 5 years leaves you and IMMEDIATELY begins publicly dating a super model, you find out you are pregnant and he could care less until the baby is born, marries the super model and then lets her claim that your child feels like he is 100% hers and that you are actually just an after thought. She diminishes your role in his life to a oh I hope they have a nice relationship but he feels like mine. Nice. Nice world you are living in Gisele..
43Vlada she DID say that she feels the child is hers 100%. Thats exactly what she said.
"it’s not like because somebody else delivered him, that’s not my child. I feel it is, 100 percent"
I can't understand why she would say something like this.
44The only negative thing out of this, is that she is saying all of this in an article with her practically nude, that is my only beef.
45My anniversary is this Friday! Congrats to the newleyweds!
46Wow comment # 32 too bad you are anonymous. I'd really like to be friends with someone like you. Stretched out privates and all.
47#32 sounds like a lunatic.
48I apogize for my crudeness, but some of these comments really annoyed me.
49I didn't mean for my comment to be anonymous- I don't comment often, and didn't notice that it automatically fills that in...
It comes across as if she thinks the child will love her and be closer to her then to his actual birth mother.. I guess since Tom loves her more then he did Bridget and chose her over Bridget.. Giselle assumes his child will as well.
OR maybe Giselle still has a problem with English as a second language and her meaning gets lost in her head through the translation.
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