The multi-talented Bijou Phillips has led an unusual life. She spent her childhood in New York, California and South Africa. She excelled at equestrienne sport but spent little time in formal schooling. When she was 13, she became a model to escape boarding school, which she hated. Bijou appeared in several campaigns for Calvin Klein.

She became an infamous party girl in New York from the ages of 14 to 16, then quit modeling because she thought it was creepy and exploitive. She acquired a record deal with Almo Sounds at 17 and began work on her debut album 'I'd Rather Eat Glass'. She was cast in 'Black and White' by director James Toback after being introduced to her by Leonardo DiCaprio, with whom she is friends.

Bij has said that she enjoys acting but that she doesn't really consider herself an actress or think she's very good at it - a belief challenged by critics, who even when they were savaging 'Black and White' had nothing but glowing praise for her performance in it. Bijou has continued to make films since then, toting her 4-track and guitar to shoots and working on what will be her second album between takes.