About Carre Otis
Carré Alexandra Otis was born on September 28, 1968, in San Francisco, California, to James Otis, an attorney, and Carol Otis, a fundraiser. Raised in a middle-class family with an older sister, Chrisse, and a brother, Jordan, she grew up in Marin County, California. Struggling with self-esteem and an eating disorder in her teens, she was scouted at 16 by a local modeling agent while at a mall. She signed with Elite Model Management in 1985 and moved to New York at 17 to pursue modeling, leaving high school to focus on her career. Otis is of English and French descent, with her family rooted in the U.S. She has embraced her California roots, often citing her free-spirited upbringing as influencing her rebellious yet introspective persona. She is primarily known as Carré Otis, with no widely used aliases. In the 1990s, she was sometimes called “The Wild Beauty” by fashion media for her raw, untamed look and bold presence.
Otis rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a supermodel, known for her curvaceous figure and intense features. She appeared on over 50 magazine covers, including Vogue (U.S., French, Italian), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, debuting in 1990. Her breakthrough came with her 1989 Vogue cover, shot by Peter Lindbergh. She starred in campaigns for Guess, Calvin Klein, and Donna Karan, and appeared in Victoria’s Secret catalogs from 1990 to 1993, though she did not participate in their runway shows or hold Angel status. She walked runways for Versace, Chanel, and Ralph Lauren. Notable moments include her 1990 Playboy pictorial and her role in Wild Orchid (1990). Otis retired from modeling in the late 1990s but returned briefly, appearing in Vogue Italia (2011) and Elle U.S. (2022).
Otis signed with Elite Model Management in 1985, later working with Ford Models and Women Management. She maintained ties with Elite during her peak. Her editorial work includes Vogue (multiple editions), Harper’s Bazaar, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Allure. A muse for photographers like Lindbergh, Richard Avedon, and Bruce Weber, she embodied 1990s sensual glamour. Her work was featured in the 2009 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s The Model as Muse exhibition.
In 1990, Otis posed for a Playboy pictorial, featuring artistic nudity shot by photographer Herb Ritts. The shoot, celebrated for its sensual yet tasteful aesthetic, showcased her natural beauty and confidence, though it sparked minor controversy among fans accustomed to her high-fashion image. She also appeared nude in select fashion editorials, such as a 1991 Vogue shoot, where nudity was used to convey raw vulnerability. Otis later described these experiences as liberating, though she critiqued the industry’s pressure on models to conform to certain expectations.
Otis has a modest social media presence, with over 30,000 Instagram followers (@carreotis). She shares advocacy for body positivity, mental health updates, and family moments, promoting her memoir and engaging fans with her candid reflections.
At 5’10” with brown hair and blue-green eyes, Otis’s measurements were approximately 34"-24"-34" during her peak, with a 34C bra size. Known for her full lips, intense gaze, and curvaceous frame, she has not confirmed cosmetic surgeries, emphasizing yoga and wellness for her appearance. She has a small lotus tattoo on her wrist and ear piercings.
Otis’s appeal lies in her raw beauty and resilient spirit. Fans and designers, like Calvin Klein, praised her as “a soulful rebel” for her emotional depth and authenticity. Her expressive features, voluptuous silhouette, and magnetic presence are often highlighted, with her advocacy for self-acceptance setting her apart.
Her net worth is estimated at $3 million, earned through modeling, endorsements (Guess, Revlon), acting, and her memoir Beauty, Disrupted (2011). She was a top-earning model in the early 1990s, but personal struggles and early retirement limited her wealth compared to peers.
Otis faced significant controversies, including public discussion of her struggles with eating disorders, drug addiction, and an abusive marriage to Mickey Rourke, detailed in her memoir. Her 1990 Playboy shoot and Wild Orchid role drew criticism for their explicit nature, but she defended them as artistic choices. She also spoke out against Elite Model Management’s toxic culture, sparking industry debate.
Her acting roles include Wild Orchid (1990, as Emily Reed) and Exit in Red (1996). She did not appear in music videos, focusing on modeling and select acting. Otis had limited TV appearances, featuring in The Super Models (2023, docuseries, as a guest) and talk shows like Oprah Winfrey Show and Dr. Phil (2011), discussing her memoir and recovery. She appeared in Catwalk (1995, documentary).
Otis was married to actor Mickey Rourke from 1992 to 1998, a tumultuous relationship marked by domestic violence allegations. She married environmental scientist Matthew Sutton in 2005, and they have two daughters, Jade (born 2006) and Kaya (born 2008). She lives in Boulder, Colorado, raising her daughters and prioritizing wellness.
Otis’s legacy lies in her role as a 1990s supermodel and her advocacy for mental health and body positivity. Her Victoria’s Secret work and Guess campaigns made her a recognizable figure, influencing models like Kate Moss for their raw aesthetic. Her memoir and public speaking inspire recovery and self-acceptance, and she supports charities like the National Eating Disorders Association and women’s shelters.
As of 2025, Otis models rarely, appearing in campaigns for eco-conscious brands and editorials like Vogue Australia. She promotes her advocacy work via Instagram, speaks at wellness events, and focuses on raising her daughters. She maintains her status as a resilient figure in fashion and mental health advocacy.
