Though the characters that Courtney Thorne-Smith has played on TV haven't always been squeaky-clean, that doesn't bother
cosmetics company Almay, which has signed up the Ally McBeal actress to be the face of their new new line of makeup, "Skin
Stays Clean."
It's not the first time Thorne-Smith has been approached to be a spokesmodel, she tells USA Today. However, this brand of
makeup appeals to the "clean freak" within.
"I called [my mother] one time when I moved in with a clean roommate. She used to bleach everything in the house, and I was
crying, 'You never taught me how to clean,'" Thorne-Smith says. "My mother said, 'If only I'd known you wanted to learn.'"
Now, Thorne-Smith even cleans her own dressing room.
Inner cleansing is also important to the 31-year-old former Melrose Place resident, who runs, does yoga, and meditates.
Sliding easily into promotional mode, Thorne-Smith says, "[Skin Stays Clean] keeps your pores clean while you're wearing it.
I feel my skin can breathe better through this product." Now, Courtney, save some enthusiasm for the TV and print ads.
Thorne-Smith isn't the only star to sign with a major cosmetic company in the past month. Mommy Madonna became the face of
Max Factor recently, but only in the European and Asian markets (perhaps that explains Madonna's Kabuki get-up at the Grammy
Awards). Reps hope to persuade her into running the ads in North America, but the New York Daily News says Ms. Ciccone fears
TV commercials could ruin her reputation as an actress (she had a reputation?). She will reportedly earn $6 million for
appearing in the campaign.
Whereas the fame and face recognition helps actresses attract offers, age can bring about a swift end to a contract. The
News notes that Lancome dropped spokeswoman Isabella Rossellini when she hit 42. Thorne-Smith is in no danger, but 41-year
-old Madonna might want to reconsider that North American deal.
Tina Gaudoin, former editor of the British women's magazine Frank, says to the Guardian, "I think it is really clever of
Max Factor that they have used [Madonna] regardless of the fact that she is 40. She has the ability to constantly reinvent
herself. Makeup is 50 percent inspirational and 50 percent aspirational, and Madonna gets that." Gaudion adds,
"They could have used someone who was much more beautiful."