By Jeanne Wolf, Photographs: Steve Shaw

stella Warren is one of the world's great beauties, which is why she doesn't go unnoticed when we meet in the lobby of the legendary Chateau Marmont hotel just above the Sunset Strip. On someone else, her casual and colorful outfit (a tank top over a tank top, swishy summery skirt and sandals) might look funky, but Estella just looks dazzling. No skin-and-bones diet for this easygoing blonde. She has curves where curves count, including her much talked-about luscious lips.

I discover that Estella, who left her modeling career behind—including the Chanel No. 5 advertising campaign, which has since gone to Nicole Kidman—to become an actress, is stressing out over cramming. But it has nothing to do with learning her lines for a new part. She's in the middle of what she calls her "great luxury," a psychology course at Santa Monica College. But Estella's career is intruding on her real-life role as a student. She has been cast as a guest star on Law & Order, and since she's making such good grades, the professor has agreed to let her take her final exam early so she can head for New York, where the popular series is filmed (talk about sacrifice). And the day we meet, Estella reveals she has turned down a free trip to Las Vegas so she can do her homework.

I admit I find Estella pretty irresistible. Over coffee, we have a lively chat about everything from her live-in partner, actor/director Peter Berg, to the fun of making a great dinner for someone you love, not to mention bonding with Berg's young son. Whatever the subject, you can count on Warren to be frank and funny—my kind of woman.

Warren has been a winner since she was a Canadian swimming champ in her teens. Her unique looks helped her become a successful model, and when director Luc Besson guided her to try acting, she totally got the bug. She has traveled the world and has a special style of lighthearted wisdom that makes her completely loveable onscreen and off.

VEGAS: Are you a fan of Las Vegas? Any memorable moments in Sin City that you'd like to share?

ESTELLA WARREN: Isn't it supposed to be, 'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas'? I'll just leave it at that, except to say I've had some really great nights there.

Did you gamble?

I did, and actually won big one weekend, with the help of a guy who showed me how to play blackjack. I ended up winning what was quite a lot of money for me at the time. I remember it being such an incredible experience to be playing and really betting big, and then all of a sudden looking down and realizing I had a few thousand dollars in front of me. I just went, 'This is ridiculous,' because I'd started with $200! So I said, 'I'm stopping.' I've never won that kind of money again.

But you didn't stop going to Vegas.

I used to go and stay at the Bellagio. We'd have these really nice, quick weekends with intense amounts of staying up late and gambling and drinking. It was really fun to blow off steam. But I don't do it as much any more; I've settled down in my life quite a bit.

You have a glamorous boyfriend, Peter Berg. Is it a challenge to be in a relationship with him, as he has a young son?

Not at all. His five-year-old, Emmet, spends half his time with us; having a child around that amount of time is great. It really puts you in a good place psychologically. It reminds you that many things are so much more important than who you're supposed to be or where you're supposed to be. Emmet loves doing homework because I have homework. So, you know, I'll give him his letters to work on when I'm doing my homework and it's really nice. You're not first when a child is around. The child has to be the priority.

Can you explain what makes you and Peter click?

I like his parenting style. You want to admire and respect your partner as much as you love them. I respect Peter and he makes me laugh.

What's your idea of a fun evening?

Just sitting at home and watching TV. We were doing that the other night and going, 'Wow, this is so great.' We were just sitting in bed at 9 o'clock, reading and watching TV.

Peter has established himself as a director as well as an actor. Does he ever give you advice or try to direct you?

He directs me all the time: 'Honey! Go get the mail!' 'Can you get me a towel?' Actually, he's very organized and neat and I'm not. It was an ongoing argument at the beginning of our relationship until I said, 'Fine, I'll make sure the house is cleaned every day.' And you know what? Life is so much easier when you don't have those petty fights. It's just not worth it...

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