Not every glamorous life is as perfect as it looks from the outside.
For Paul Sculfor, once one of the most in-demand male models in the world, the glitz of the spotlight eventually gave way to a much darker reality.
Behind the high-end campaigns, celebrity romances, and red carpets was a man struggling to keep it together.
Now 54, Paul has opened up about the highs, the lows, and how becoming a father saved his life.
The Accidental Start of a Superstar
Paul’s rise to fame happened almost by chance. At 21, his mother secretly entered him into a modeling competition with Select Model Management. He won, and just like that, a career was born.
Within a few years, he had moved to Los Angeles, where he was living the Hollywood dream — or at least what seemed like one on the surface.
He became a regular face in major fashion campaigns for Louis Vuitton and Versace, rubbing shoulders with A-listers and dating some of the most recognizable women in the world.
A Star-Studded Love Life That Made Headlines
During his peak, Paul’s romantic life became tabloid gold.
He had a two-year relationship with fellow model Lisa Snowdon, followed by a five-month whirlwind with Jennifer Aniston, and later, a year-long romance with Cameron Diaz.
The public was obsessed with every detail, but Paul was beginning to feel the weight of constant attention and the expectations that came with fame.
Beneath the Surface: Addiction and the Downward Spiral
While Paul was gracing runways and walking red carpets, his personal life was unraveling.
The nonstop partying, pressure to perform, and access to drugs and alcohol took a serious toll.
What started as “normal” social behavior quickly spiraled into full-blown addiction.
Paul shared chilling stories — like pouring ecstasy into his cornflakes on a yacht holiday — and being hospitalized after collapsing on a flight.
He became isolated, suffered from anxiety, and even shut out his own family.
By 29, Paul realized he was no longer in control. He hit his lowest point at 33 and checked into The Priory rehab clinic in London, spending six months there to rebuild himself.
From Party Life to Parenthood: How Becoming a Dad Changed Everything
Today, Paul lives a very different life in East London with his wife, Dr. Federica Amati, a nutritionist, and their two young daughters.
Becoming a father in his late 40s was a turning point he never expected but is now deeply grateful for.
On his podcast This is Powerful, he shared how fatherhood gave him a sense of purpose he’d never had before. “They keep me in check,” he said.
“You don’t have time to think about yourself when you’ve got kids.”
Even so, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.
A Dark Moment in the Middle of Joy
Paul revealed that shortly after bringing home his second daughter during the COVID lockdowns, he was hit by an unexpected wave of darkness.
Isolated, overwhelmed, and surrounded by grim headlines, he broke down while holding his newborn, apologizing to her for “bringing her into this world.”
It was a deeply emotional moment — one he quickly realized wasn’t safe.
A phone call to a friend helped snap him out of it, reminding him of his role and responsibility.
“You’re the dad,” he told himself. “Look after them.”
Staying Sober and Seeking Support When It’s Needed
Paul remains committed to his recovery. He still attends 12-step meetings and recently returned to therapy when life threw up new challenges.
He emphasized the importance of staying connected with people who understand, sharing that he still meets with a group of friends who all got sober around the same time back in 2004.
He also practices mindfulness through martial arts and keeps certain non-negotiables in place to maintain balance and mental well-being.
Fame Didn’t Cause the Addiction — But It Didn’t Help Either
While Paul is quick to say that modeling didn’t cause his addiction, he believes the lifestyle made it easier to fall into.
Addiction runs in his family, with his grandfather also battling alcohol and gambling.
He described how fame made it easy to ignore the warning signs — VIP tables, free drinks, endless partying — it all felt normal in his 20s. Until it didn’t.
Building Something Meaningful from the Pain
These days, Paul’s mission is to give back. He’s trained as a mindset coach and now works with young men struggling with the same issues he once faced — drugs, alcohol, and self-worth.
He also runs the Stride Foundation, which provides education and financial support for those needing help with rehab access.
For Paul, all of it — the fame, the fall, and the long road back — has led to where he is now. And he’s okay with that.
From Darkness to Light: Learning to Live Again
Reflecting on his journey, Paul shared a simple but powerful insight: “The darker you go, the lighter you can go.”
He’s chosen to live on the lighter side now, more aware than ever of how far he’s come — and how easily he could’ve lost it all.
What once seemed like a dream life nearly destroyed him, but he’s taken the broken pieces and built something far more real, grounded, and fulfilling.
