January Jones

UK Marie Claire
May 2011

Photographed by Matthias Vriens-McGrath

Taking on the role of Mad Men’s Betty Draper was ‘a leap of faith’, the starlet – dazzling in a Diane Von Furstenberg dress and Chanel cuff – reveals, of her part in the now huge, award-winning hit. ‘I’d done films, but never TV,’ she explains. ‘I was hesitant because it was a five-year contract and there wasn’t really a role for Betty in the pilot.’

Yet, with a now burgeoning Hollywood career, the model-turned actress’s fearless tenacity has clearly paid off. ‘I think this is a really good moment for me, careerwise,’ she says, smouldering in colour pop Louis Vuitton. ‘Nothing ever came to me too easily or too fast, so I’ve been able to adjust. I’ve never got too bitter or jaded.’

On her dislike of interviews, the Diane von Furstenberg clad starlet says: ‘When I talk about myself, half the time I’m lying.’ And now? ‘Maybe. I do it because I’m bored of talking about myself, or I have nothing left to say, or I want to be private that day.’ But nonetheless, she’s very content. ‘Everybody writes that they think I’m so unhappy,’ she says. And that’s not the case? ‘Not at all. I’m in my own head. I’m doing things. Keeping things interesting.’

January can be seen in the upcoming X-Men prequel “X-Men: First Class”, playing the role of Emma Frost/White Queen, alongside James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon & Jennifer Lawrence. If you haven’t already seen the trailer, check it out below…