Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary melted hearts on live television Wednesday when he spoke about girlfriend Mary Fowler’s upcoming modelling debut at Paris Fashion Week and offered a simple piece of advice: "make sure you show your smile."
Fowler, 22, is set to appear in Le Défilé later this month as a global brand ambassador for L'Oréal Paris, becoming the first professional footballer to grace the runway at the event. Cleary made the comments on the Nine Network’s Today show as he prepared for Penrith's semi-final clash with the Bulldogs.
"Yeah, she does look beautiful," Cleary said on air. "She's pretty nervous actually about walking down the runway. She's been trying to get on FaceTime and show me her catwalk, but I said be natural and make sure you show your smile, because it's beautiful." The studio could be heard erupting after the remark. When asked whether he had offered modelling tips, Cleary smiled and replied, "God no. I'm not in the modeling industry, that's for sure. She holds up that end of the relationship."
Fowler will walk alongside established L'Oréal ambassadors and high-profile names, including Kendall Jenner, Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren. Earlier this month she told Code Sports she had not imagined walking a runway, "let alone one for L'Oréal that's in Paris of all places," and described the opportunity as "mind-blowing" and "empowering." Fowler said she is "a little nervous" but does not plan to pressure herself to be perfect, framing the appearance as a moment to show that "showing up as yourself will always be beautiful." She added that she is "incredibly proud" to represent women in sport and hopes the appearance will encourage young girls to "dream big."
Fowler's runway booking comes while she is rehabbing from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament sustained in April while playing for Manchester City. Typical recovery times for ACL injuries range from nine to 12 months; Fowler is aiming to recover in time to be considered for the Asian Cup next March, which will be held in Australia.
Cleary's comments drew attention not only because of their romantic tone but also because they came on the eve of an important match for his club. The Panthers playmaker's public support underscores Fowler's crossover from elite sport into fashion and brand ambassadorship.
Representatives for Fowler and Cleary did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Paris Fashion Week dates and the L'Oréal Le Défilé schedule list a series of runway presentations later this month in which the brand will present its ambassadors and guest models, continuing a trend of high-profile collaborations between fashion houses and figures from outside the traditional modelling sphere.
The appearance will mark a notable moment for the visibility of professional athletes in fashion marketing, and Fowler has framed her participation as a platform for representing women in sport rather than a career shift away from football. She is under contract as a global ambassador for L'Oréal Paris and her participation in Le Défilé will be followed closely by supporters in both sporting and fashion communities as she balances recovery and international selection hopes.