Willa Ford: Channeling the World's Most Famous Pin-up

April 26, 2007 | Celebrity Scandals

From the pink robe to the platinum blonde hair, “Extra” is unveiling the first images of Willa Ford’s dramatic transformation into Anna Nicole Smith.

Only “Extra” sat down with the stunning “Dancing with the Stars” alum to talk about the eerie similarities that helped Willa land her first starring role.

“I’ve been there, in a lot of her places before, so I can relate in a lot of ways,” Willa dished.

Both were blonde bombshells who posed for Playboy magazine to help kick start their careers; and like Anna, Willa is a small town girl with big Hollywood dreams.

“People told me it was impossible,” Willa recalled of the folks in Ruskin, Florida. “It’s a really small town. My dad’s a farmer. It’s a tiny deal and everybody told me and my family that we were crazy. I would never be here, I would never make it. That’s what has drove her.”

But physically, Anna and Willa are very different.

“Anna Nicole was 5’11”, 160 pounds in her good days,” Willa said. “I’m 5’7”, 120.”

So to portray the late Anna Nicole, Willa is using prosthetics and a fat suit to pack on 80 extra pounds, and we were the first to show her hockey star fiancé Mike Modano his bride-to-be’s big makeover.

“She’s got the look; they did a great job,” Mike admitted.

And Willa admitted her Anna Nicole reflection is a bit bizarre:

“It’s scary when you watch yourself walk away; that is not your body,” she admitted. “You are like, ‘Wow. Wow!’ It keeps me on a really good diet.”

comments

What a joke Willa is,she discusts me at the things she says about Anna Nicole,I saw the trailor and she doesnt sound or look like Anna,and by the way Anna is more beautiful than her.

Teresa
March 13, 2008

So just because you live in Ruskin, Fl doesn’t mean you know everybody! Or do you think you know everybody?? I know Willa Ford, and yes she is from Ruskin, maybe if you got your facts straight you would know she grew up there and attended East Bay High School. Mandy is a good singer and she was a good actress when we were in high school.

Anonymous
November 8, 2007

wow let this lady rest in peace …

michelle
August 31, 2007

UH…. YOU ALL…… UH,,, I LIVE IN RUSKIN, FLORIDA…… I NEVER HEARD OF THIS BIMBO WILLA FORD TILL SHE SIGNED ON TO PLAY THE BEAUTIFULL ANNA NICOLE!!!!!!!!! SO APPARENTLY SHE IS NOT ALL THAT!!!!!!!!! YOU HEARD IT FOLKS, A LIFE LONG RESIDENT OF THE RUSKIN, FLORIDA AREA…. NEVER HEARD OF WILLA FORD TILL NOW!!! THAT JUST GOES TO PROVE HOW BEAUTIFULL AND POWERFULL ANNA NICOLE REALLY WAS AND STILL IS!!!! I LOVE YOU ANNA!!

teresa-anna nicole smiths biggest fan
July 31, 2007

Willa does not know when to keep her mouth shut. She has said terrible things. She is all wrong to play this part. What a joke.

Ava
July 23, 2007

I have no intention of watching this movie about Anna Nicole’s life. It is absolutely shameful that Hollywood jumped to make a movie about Anna so soon after her untimely death. Worse, it’s not being done to preserve Anna’s memory, no matter what those involved in the project may say. It is being done to capitalize on the life and death of a woman who can only be described as a tortured soul. Shame on Willa Ford, and shame on everyone involved in this travesty.

Tamara
July 21, 2007

I Have alway’s Admirred Anna Nicle Smith,She Made Mistakes Like alot of us do But she in my Eyes was and is a Star God Bless You Hun and Your Son Danny May You Now Finally Find The Peace You Serched For All of Your Life. Love Ya Hun Debbie xox.

Debbie A
July 20, 2007

Sad that Willa hasn’t a clue about drug adiction as she called Anna’s slurred drugged words “lazy”. It would serve us all well to not see any more exploitation of Anna. Much less a movie made before the grass is sown on her grave.

There is not a shred of decency left in Hollywood at all. They cater to the low lifes, raise up the felons to praise, and leave the true heroes and achievers behind.

Anna’s life was tragic and unfortunately we all saw it unfold in real life. Albiet, many saw as unwitting prisioners to a gluttenous media thirsting to destroy another life more so then the person living it already managed to do. But we saw it all the same. Each sordid detail in horrific display spanning across many channels over and over again as if we had no war ongoing and no blood shed in the Middle East.

Not one star will be able to pull this off because we did see the real thing and we saw far more then most wanted to already.

Anonymous
May 9, 2007

May God Bless Anna Nichole Smith and her son Danny. I really feel so sorry for the way Anna Nichole Smith is being treated even after her death. Let her please at least, rest in peace. Why is there such a rush to make a movie of her life. She’s not gone for one year yet. I think is a sin. I feel that this movie should (N-O-T) be made. As for as Willa playing the role of Ann Nichole Smith, I think Willa is 100 percent wrong for even thinking of playing the role of Ann. But I guess when it comes M-O-N-E-Y people would do just about anything. I feel that Larry Birthead and Dannylynn should disappear out of the spot light for a long time. Let baby Dannylynn live a normal life, if possible.

zory
May 9, 2007

My heart goes out to Anna Nichole Smith and her son. May God Bless their souls and may they both rest in peace….
I really think is very, very, very (W-R-O-N-G) for anyone making a movie about Ann’s life. Give me a break. It has not been one year, since she passed away and a movie is being made?. Is all about the money…
(what A Sin)…I am sure if Ann knew what was going on, she would would not approve.
I think that Larry Birkhead, or Howard should put a stop to this movie. ***It really don’t matter who plays the role of Ann Nichole Smith. I think that Willa is 100 percent wrong for the part. I think that if a few years went by after Ann’s death. Then maybe a movie could be made, but come on, Ann has not been gone for one year…Let Ann rest in peace.I feel so sorry for Ann’s baby girl. I feel that Larry and Dannylynn should just disappear out out of the spot light for a long time. May god bless Larry and Dannylynn….(peace)…..

zory
May 9, 2007

ENOUGH! Who Cares…….OH wait maybe there is a video of her using the john….I can’t wait. DROP the Anna Nicole Stuff. There is nothing interesting here Anymore. The paternity is solved…LEAVE IT BE!

WRG
May 8, 2007

Spiritually speaking, Anna would be “less than thrilled” knowing that the height and weight of the lead actress player HER has been so proudly revealed.

gina galpern
May 3, 2007

To the wardrobe director: try using Mona Lisa 613 A hair extensions. It might help the cause…lol.

gina galpern
May 3, 2007

What this film really needed….was a superstar “unknown” “A” lister without a doubt new comer. Some one who Anna herself never knew, who would aquire kudos from the grass roots effort. Just like Anna herself. If Anna could speak from the grave, spiritually in my opinion, she would say Willa Ford? Me? Whatever, guys! lol

gina galpern
May 3, 2007

Willa, you ARE a good actress, okay , “B” rated, just like ANNA. You have a great style about you to play her “mannerisms” this (if this was a perfect world) would put you in the Hollywood “A” list talent. But, in my opinion, whoever cast you, doesn’t have a spiritual connection whatsoever in this case. Your beauty is not in the same category as Anna’a. Not to say you aren’t a goddess, but honestly, the casting director, I think, doesn’t have a clue. As a platinum blonde myself, I can tell right away your involvment was swift and with out full merit (but you probably are a great girl) You just won’t be able to carry the lead correctly with credibility. I’m sorry.

gina galpern
May 3, 2007

I have a few words,, hahahahahahahahahahahahhaahhahah,,willlayour a poser,,and proffessional has 1 f not 2 durrrr.

nilda/alicia
April 28, 2007

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
OK GOOD ONE ANONYMOUS.. THIS IS PROBABLY YOU WILLA HIDING YOUR IDENTITY… YOU ARE YOUR ONLY FAN OH IM SORRY MAKE THAT TWO YOU AND YOUR SOON TO BE HUSBAND…LOL YOU ARE A SNOB. AND IT DOESNT MATTER IF THE MOVIE DOES GOOD OR NOT SHE IS FOLLOWING A SCRIPT SHE IS PORTRAYING SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE SO YOUR SAYING SHE WILL RISE A SHINING STAR BY BEING “ANS” AND NOT BY BEING A TALENTED ACTRESS/SINGER/DANCER/HOST/ BUT BY A PRODUCER GIVING HER A SCRIPT AND SAYING OK THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.THE POINT TO THIS IS WHAT SHE SAID ON THIS INTERVIEW AND HOW SHE ACTED NOT EVERYONE GETS A CHANCE IN THERE LIFE TO BE A HOLLYWOOD STAR SO DAMN IT APPRECIATE WHAT COMES TO YOU.
AND IF “ANS” FANS DONT GO SEE THIS MOVIE BECAUSE OF HER ATTITUDE THEN YES SHE WILL FAIL AGAIN BECAUSE OF THEY WAY SHE PORTRAYED HERSELF TOWARDS THIS MOVIE. OH ONE MORE THING IF SHE WAS SOOOOO TALENTED BY BEING ALL THOSE THINGS THEN WHY ISNT SHE HAVE HER OWN TV SHOW? WHY HASN’T SHE MADE A HIT RECORD ? WHY DIDNT SHE WIN THE DANCE COMPETITION?

nilda/alicia
April 27, 2007

she makes an amazing anna nicole and all of you are over reacting and twisting her words for no reason. she has done plenty of interviews saying that this film is going to show anna in a positive light and show the love she had for her children. i dont get why you all have a stick up your butts. you should go see entertainment tonight that showed her as anna nicole and how dead on she is. i dont understand who ever it was says that she fails at everything she does. that is so not true she has kept going and coming into the spotlight for many things here and there. magazines tv hosting singing writing dancing with the stars. and she has no reason to apologize to her friends or fans she is doing the best she can and is very proffessional about her role as anna nicole. i think you will all be shocked when you find out how successful she will become and how much talent she has! thats one thing i love about willa she can prove you all wrong and thats exactlyu what she is going to do with this film you will all be eating your words!

Anonymous
April 27, 2007

I didnt watch it today but if they replayed it again why? She is rude and a snob and doesn’t deserve this role like I have said before. She needs to make a public apology to Anna’s fans and the people close to her. The producers of this movie need to find someone else to play ANS. Willa Wonka is a nobody like someone had said in a previous post she’s a Z-lister. I have never seen someone in the public eye speak out the way she did of a movie role there going to play she was very self centered and unappreciated. Some people forget where they came from. Willa this question is for you maybe you should stop to think why you are a Z-lister and not an A-lister? maybe because people around you see how much of a snob you are. And thats why you tank at whatever you do maybe you should have listened to your family. you should have stayed on your farm.

nilda/alicia
April 26, 2007

Willa Ford needs to do some other work in acting besides a feature film about Anna Nicole Smith if she is to be a legitimate actress.

Anonymous
April 26, 2007
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