How to Talk to a Supermodel: Chatting with SI Swimsuit Issue's Ariel Meredith

Ariel Meredith first appeared in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue in 2009. Despite juggling a more traditional modeling career with runway work in Paris and Milan, she managed to get back in the magazine for the 2012 issue.

I caught up with Ariel on a phone call while she was in Las Vegas, and I asked the Louisiana native about her experiences during the photo shoot, the secret to a good gumbo, and her reaction when she was asked to get a breast reduction. Portions of our conversation have been edited for length and clarity.

So Ariel, I saw the cover and I saw all of your pictures. My favorite picture of you is the one from Panama with the parakeet on your shoulder.

Yes! That's my favorite as well.

How many hours did it take to get 30 frames with that bird on your shoulder?

Well, he had his wings clipped, so he couldn't fly. All he could do was just stand there, ya know? But after we got done shooting, he pooped down my back.

Awww...

And everyone was like, "The bird left something for you!"

That is so gross.

But they got it off with a towel.

I would think there'd be like five or six people there just waiting to towel you off, whether they're working for the shoot or not.

Oh, of course!

Now that's one of those shots where you're just wearing the bottom of the swimsuit and not the top. So what happens to the top? Do they just throw it in a box somewhere? Like an unpaired sock?

Yeah. We don't need those. [laughs]

So you're from Shreveport, so you're obviously a Saints fan...

I am such a Saints fan. And I'm so excited that New Orleans has the Super Bowl next year. I've never been to the Super Bowl before. I'm gonna have a party.

You're gonna be firing up the gumbo?

Oh yeah. The grill, too.

So what's the secret to a good gumbo?

[Pause] Oh my God, my mom would kill me if I told you. But a lot of it has to do with the spices. The real secret is the roux. Because if your roux is wrong, then everything else is wrong.

So I have to ask you about this: I read that you were actually dumped by a modeling agency because you refused to get a breast reduction?

This happened when I first moved to New York, so it was a long time ago, and I just had natural baby weight. Had I gone through with a breast reduction, I wouldn't be where I am today. Some girls hear that, and then they go do it, but in my heart, I felt that just wasn't right. I thought, "God gave me this. What am I gonna take 'em away for?"

Hear, hear.

But to this day, that agency still reaches out to me about work.

And?

And I decline. [Laughs] And I'm always very professional about it. I'm never bitter about anything. And I have a positive team behind me now. I'm in a good place.

I saw on Twitter that your puppy Hershey had a little issue. How's he doing?

Oh my God, I love you for asking that! He's so good now. He had been limping from an infection under his toenail but he's so good now. What's funny is that I thought he turned 10 years old in November, but when I took him to the vet, he was only nine. I didn't know my baby was 9 or 10, so I'm not gonna get that Doggy Mommy of the Year Award.

That's almost appropriate since your Wikipedia page doesn't know whether you're 25 or 26.

I love that. I think they should just leave it like that. A lady never tells.

It's all good. A gentleman never asks.

SI's Swimsuit Issue is on newsstands now. See more pictures of Ariel and 20 other models online at si.com/swimsuit.