They're what men's fantasies are made of, and they become instant sex symbols after gracing the big screen. On December 6, Oracabessa in St Mary will heat up with Casino Royale's Bond girl, Caterina Murino. Murino will be the special...

In a Flair exclusive, Murino said she was extremely excited about what will be her second visit to the island.

"It's a huge treat to come back to Jamaica. When I was asked, it was very exciting. I always love to meet fans of Bond, they know everything about the movie and you are part of their dream for the series."

Murino on Bond

Surprisingly, before her big role in the movie in which she played the sexy temptress Solange, Murino wasn't a fan of the James Bond series. She always saw them as men's movies. But she thoroughly enjoyed her role.

"Every time you do a role, you love it. You give life to words on a paper. Solange is the typical Bond girl, very gorgeous, perfect. But, for me, Solange is a woman who lives a very tough life, like women who marry rich men for money, not for love. Lots of women can see themselves in Solange. It's a very nice role."

Murino admitted that since the movie, a lot is now expected of her in Hollywood. "After this kind of movie, it's very difficult to stay at that level."

Murino also had high praises for her leading man, Daniel Craig. "He's very professional and very funny. Funny in an English way that makes him very sharp. He's very rough, and sexy at the same time. It's perfect for him to be a Bond."

But this Bond girl is not a fan of Bond's famous (shaken, not stirred) martinis, or other alcoholic beverages .

"I don't drink alcohol at all, I have nothing against it, but I'm a Christian and Catholic."

Hard work

The 31-year-old Italian actress, is also an accomplished model who placed in the top five of the Miss Italy competition in 1996. For her, to succeed in show business involves a lot of hard work. "Sometimes you work, and sometimes you don't. As I look back where I started, so many things have changed. But if you really love your work with passion, it will take you far, but you need to be very tough. Everyone thinks it's easy, but it's not."

So what is her key to success? "Remain the same person you were 10 years before success. Love what you do and always remember all the people around you. It's very important, because success comes and it goes, and if you are always the same person with the same heart, it can help you to be successful and make your life better."

Caterina off screen

Off screen, she is a goodwill ambassador for Africa Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF). This organisation provides medicine to those in need in Africa. She is happy that she is able to help others. "Every six months I go to Africa; I see beautiful and horrible things. But, most important, I can use my name and success for more important things than just my life."

Though she does not like going to the gym, Murino's active life keeps her in shape.

"I drink a lot of tea. I would love to eat sugar and dark chocolate every single minute of my life, but I can't. I follow my body; if my body needs sugar or chocolate, I follow. We need to follow our bodies, it's the best doctor to tell us what kind of diet we should do. I like everything with pasta because, of course, I'm Italian."

Murino likes African dance, as well as tango, flamenco, salsa and samba. However, it's difficult for her to practise, as she's always travelling. She also loves horseback riding. As for a beauty regimen? she keeps it simple. "I use cream, yes, but I don't use a lot of makeup. I use it only for important nights."

Caterina in Jamaica

Besides the main purpose of her official visit, Murino has two activities high on her list of things to do when she gets here. "I am looking forward to swimming with the dolphins and I've fallen in love with the story of The White Witch of Rose Hall. I would have loved to meet Annie Palmer and would love to make a movie on the house and Annie Palmer. The script is already there. It's just an amazing story, and I love it. I feel the ghost spirit is there. It's a scary house and I believe it in some ways."

Inevitably, Murino is also a fan of reggae. "I love it (reggae) and when I was in Jamaica the last time, I bought many CDs; it's my favourite music."

Virgin Atlantic's chairman, Sir Richard Branson (left), with Caterina Murino and music mogul and hotelier, Chris Blackwell, owner of Golden Eye, the home where Bond's creator, Ian Flemming, wrote his series. - Photo by Janet Silvera