a closeup of Shelley from a pic used
for a Charlie perfume ad, 1977
Shelley was THE quintessential Charlie Girl and was Revlon Charlie's image model from 1976 to 1982. Charlie was one of the first mega-successful American lifestyle brands in the world. The phenomenal success of the brand was due in part to Shelley's unforgettable image. As THE Charlie Girl, Shelley was every woman - from the glamour girl to the young professional to the sporty gal. She catapulted the brand, as well as herself, to iconic status. Her image and the brand became synonymous; and Charlie Girl Shelley and Revlon Charlie was loved throughout the entire world.
Shelley and Cheryl Tiegs
in a newspaper writeup
about models-turned-actresses, 1979
Due to Shelley's Supermodel status, Hollywood eventually came knocking on her door. But like many "models-turned-actresses" before her, Shelley was subject to harsh criticism when it came to her talent as an actress. Many successful models who have dabbled in the acting field - like Cheryl Tiegs, Barbara Bach, Lauren Hutton, Cybill Shepherd, Susan Blakely, Jennifer O'Neill and Maud Adams - have suffered the same fate. Even Shelley's fellow Charlie's Angels Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd were frowned upon, acting-wise, by many critics and writers. Critical respect in the acting field had always been an uphill battle for models. But many would eventually overcome it and would later earn the respect of their critics and peers. Shelley's subsequent stage, film and TV performances would eventually win over her detractors and her harshest critics.
Shelley in a pic used
for a Charlie perfume ad, 1977