It Just Makes Scents
ANN-MARGRET AND JUSTIN CHAMBERS JOIN FORCES
FOR ANN-MARGRET PERFUME
BY STACEY GUALANDI
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ANN-MARGRET
In 1998, long before Yellowstone, there was a ranch family drama series called Four Corners starring Ann-Margret. While CBS ended it after just two episodes, it began an unlikely 25-year friendship between the legendary singer-actress-dancer and her co-star, actor Justin Chambers.
“He’s my pal,” laughs Ann-Margret. “We are very much alike. But I love his humor. I think he’s really funny. I laugh at everything he says!”
At that time, Ann-Margret was, of course, Hollywood royalty, who became an overnight success in Bye Bye Birdie and then captivated audiences with her unforgettable turn opposite Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas — just two iconic films from a multi-award-winning career spanning several decades. It was also just a handful of years before Chambers, a former Calvin Klein model, would make TV history as Dr. Alex Karev on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.
Justin Chambers with Ann-Margret. Photo by James Franklin.
“I loved ‘Ann-Margrock’ in The Flintstones,” jokes Chambers of being a long-time Ann-Margret fan. “I was a HUGE fan of all her work. I knew Carnal Knowledge, and Tommy is one of my favorite rock operas of all time. I think what made Ann-Margret stand out from so many people I’ve worked with in this business is that she has such integrity and a heart of gold…we live in a world where people abuse the word legend or icon, but she is the real deal.”
But it was her tireless work on behalf of American troops during the Vietnam War that sealed her icon status. Before being discovered by THE George Burns, she entertained the armed forces as a college student during a USO tour in 1960. Once she became a famous movie star, she couldn’t resist returning.
“I received a letter a long time ago from [troops] in Vietnam, and they wanted me to come there and perform,” she says. “I remember there were 3000 signatures on this one letter, so I wanted to go the next day!”
In 1966, she returned to Vietnam with the USO and three bandmates for a life-threatening, 15-day excursion through war-torn areas and enemy fire. (You’ll recall that aerial photo on the USS Yorktown where sailors welcomed her by standing in formation spelling out “Hi Annie!”)
Two years later, she was back in a colorful minidress and white go-go boots to perform in front of tens of thousands of soldiers for her best friend Bob Hope’s Christmas USO show.
“One thing I can do is entertain. I can sing and dance, and that’s what I did,” says Ann-Margret.
She became synonymous with the Vietnam War, even being mentioned in a memorable line from the film Full Metal Jacket. (“Sir, does this mean that Ann-Margret is not coming?”)
So, to salute her endless support of all the American men and women who served in Vietnam, Chambers began sniffing around for a project years ago that they could work on together—off-screen.
His former modeling gig endorsing Calvin Klein cologne gave him the idea to develop an Ann-Margret perfume, and he wouldn’t stop bugging her about it until she said yes.
Says Chambers, “It just makes perfect sense!” (Pun intended.)
“Like cookies and milk!” laughs Ann-Margret.
Joking aside, Chambers says he always wanted to make his friend a perfume for her patriotism and then present it to the world.
“We focused on her time with the USO; that played a big part in this,” says Chambers. “We’re really paying tribute to her for making sacrifices, performing, and putting herself in danger for the troops, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Their collaboration — which debuted in May — is an autographed, $100 limited edition Ann-Margret Eau de Parfum that can now be purchased online at annmargretperfume.com.
“We brought in people that knew what they were doing, and of course, Ann-Margret had a lot to say about what she liked and didn’t like,” admits Chambers.
“I finally said yes because I really liked everyone involved in this,” says Ann-Margret. “And my favorite perfume is Gardenia, which happens to be the main source for this perfume.”
“Someone had mentioned it smells a little like heaven, and I like that. It’s sweet, but not too sweet,” boasts Chambers. “Gardenia is the middle note, but it’s got jasmine, ylang-ylang, and musk. It’s soft but strong at the same time.”
So what makes this celebrity-endorsed perfume different from all the other celebrity scents?
“All the profits go to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund,” says Ann-Margret. “I love my guys.”
For an 82-year-old who still rides a lavender motorcycle, there was no time like the present to have a perfume named after her. After all, It’s just another testament to Ann-Margret’s ageless beauty, both inside and out.
“Oh my gosh, I think, well, I know I’m happy,” says Ann-Margret on staying young at heart. (She still owns those go-go boots, by the way!) “I’m crazed and glazed! Ha!”
Adds Chambers, “Yep, yep, you are! I mean, who else cuts a rock ’n’ roll record at 81?”
(That’s right. Ann-Margret just released “Born to be Wild,” her first new studio album in over a decade, with her favorite rock ’n’ roll songs!)
Ann-Margret says the experience in Vietnam all those years ago was “one of the most important things in my life and always will be.” Her “support and admiration” for our men and women in uniform has never wavered. To this day, she still receives mail from troops who served in Vietnam.
“It just makes me feel good that I could do something while they were out there risking everything.”
For a working friendship that could have easily ended on a television set 25 years ago, the bond between Ann-Margret and Justin Chambers has stood the test of time and now will leave a lasting impression. It certainly smells like team spirit.
“I’m happy that Ann-Margret didn’t give up on me. She believed I could pull it off, so we made it happen,” says Chambers. “I’m just honoring my friend, who I care very deeply for, and to thank her for all her hard work, dedication, and being loving, kind, and gracious.”
To purchase Ann-Margret perfume, visit the website: annmargretperfume.com.