The Philadelphia girl who dreamed of escaping
Gia, before the word 'Supermodel' existed
Lights, camera... addiction
Fashion adored her until she became a hindrance
Wilhelmina: Her godmother, her network, her loss
Loves, unfulfilled promises
Rehabilitations that were gateways to hell
From Olympus to the supermarket
Hollywood revived her with Jolie's lips

The Philadelphia girl who dreamed of escaping

Gia Carangi was born amidst noise: fights, reproaches, broken dishes. At 17, she fled to New York as if escaping a fire, with rebellious eyebrows and a hunger for everything.

Gia, before the word 'Supermodel' existed

Before the term 'supermodel' became popular, Gia was already on the cover of Vogue, the muse of Versace, and the cause of immense fascination for numerous photographers.

Lights, camera... addiction

She was wild, magnetic, free. Offstage, she was a girl without a compass, clinging to illicit substances as if they were the only embrace available.

Fashion adored her until she became a hindrance

The industry that elevated her applauded while she shone... and erased her the moment she faltered. Fashion has a short memory and zero patience for suffering.

Wilhelmina: Her godmother, her network, her loss

Wilhelmina Cooper was more than her agent: she was her support. When she died, Gia was left hanging by a thin thread that soon broke, needles included.

Loves, unfulfilled promises

She loved unattainable women. Lighting technicians, makeup artists, elusive friends. They all left her. Gia didn't want fame or headlines: she just wanted someone who would stay.

Rehabilitations that were gateways to hell

She entered rehab centers as often as she switched magazines, but nothing worked, and she emerged worse. Yet, always with the hope that this time it would be different.

From Olympus to the supermarket

She ended up working as a cashier in Philadelphia. No one recognized her. Her name was no longer in displays but on uniform tags. Not a camera, not a flash in sight.