Gemma Ward Says She Will Return to Modeling

by Katie Hintz-Zambrano (Subscribe to Katie Hintz-Zambrano's posts)
Posted Nov 18th 2009 at 3:05PM

Gemma Ward on the runway in 2007 (left), and on the street last month (right). Photos: Karl Prouse, Catwalking/Getty Images | Bauer-Griffin

As we previously reported, Australian model Gemma Ward recently declared she was done with modeling when criticism erupted after images surfaced of her looking very un-waiflike (read: healthy).

However, it looks like Ward will be returning to the runway, after all.

On Sunday, the model -- and former girlfriend of the late Heath Ledger -- posted the following on her Twitter page:

"Thank you everyone for your support, all I'll say on the subject is I'm content with my decision, but I have said nothing will be permanent."

Then on Monday she told The West Australian: "I have not 'quit modeling' and my fans back home can expect to see me back at work modeling and acting in the new year." (Note to Ward: Your fans are not just back home!)

The paper also did some digging and got Ward's mother to reveal that her daughter will be staying in the U.S. and studying acting, something the model has been interested in for some time.

"She's been doing some great drama theater courses and is considering doing a three-year course at Yale, which is a great possibility. She's making one step at a time," Ward's mother said of her daughter, whose break from modeling was spurred by the death of Ledger in early 2008.

"She's 22 years old and has worked incredibly hard," Ward's mother continued. "She's had a very difficult few years personally and now she's having a really lovely time doing things she wants to do and enjoying being young."

According to Ward's Twitter page some of the new simple pleasures she's embracing include watching "Gossip Girl" and "Harry Potter," and eating Ben & Jerry's and popcorn. (Can you blame her?)

Her mother also said the model is devoting time to charity projects and "developing herself."

Are you excited to see Gemma return to the runway or do you think she should retire from the catty industry for good? Leave a comment!

And read why this supermodel quit the catwalk.

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