As the first male supermodel to dominate the global stage, Paul Sculfor lived a life of luxury, fast cars, and high-profile relationships with Hollywood stars like Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz.
“We still message every now and then,” Paul shares about his famous exes in an exclusive interview with Hello! during a photoshoot in London’s Epping Forest. “We’re all married and grown up now, so it’s just friendly messages like, ‘Hey, how are you? I hope everything’s good.'”
Though the Essex-born heartthrob still turns heads, his life is now a far cry from the whirlwind days of magazine covers and catwalks. Paul’s battle with alcohol and drug addiction nearly derailed his career and life, but today, at 54, he’s a mindset coach and a father to two daughters, aged seven and five.
Through his Stride Foundation, which he runs with his partner Federica, and his podcast This Is Powerful, Paul uses his past struggles to help others facing similar challenges. He explains how meeting Federica a decade ago has brought “light, fun, and stability” into his life. “She’s an academic but radiates kindness and calm,” he says of his wife. “We work together beautifully; we share the same values, and we focus on being good parents.”
Paul’s addiction hit rock bottom in 2004, prompting him to check into the Priory clinic for six months. “I was physically and mentally broken,” he recalls. “I remember dropping to my knees in my hallway, and a voice just told me it was time for a change.”
After overcoming his addiction, Paul moved to Los Angeles, trained in acting and t’ai chi, and dated Jennifer for five months and Cameron for a year. Today, the Stride Foundation offers counseling and support services for recovering addicts, while Paul’s podcast features conversations with celebrities and professionals about addiction recovery.
“We’re putting together workshops for schools on peer pressure and self-esteem,” he explains, noting how much of his own struggles stemmed from a desire to belong. “I want to create a safe space where people can find the support they need, especially since not everyone has access to places like the Priory.”
Looking back, Paul reflects on the fallacy of success defined by material things. “I thought once I had it all—a big house, a beautiful partner, and a fast car—I’d feel complete. But instead, I felt empty. That was a profound moment of realization for me, that I’d been chasing something that wasn’t the answer.”
Today, Paul’s journey continues to inspire, as he uses his past to fuel a future of helping others find true fulfillment.
