How television saved Rachel Hunter from plastic surgery

Rachel Hunter spoke to media ahead of the US premiere of her Kiwi television series. Photo / Getty

Kiwi supermodel Rachel Hunter has revealed she seriously considered plastic surgery before she filmed the TVNZ series Rachel's Tour of Beauty.

Speaking at the Television Critics Association meeting in Los Angeles, she told reporters she was "horrified" after seeing photos of herself.

"In real life I was fairly happy with myself. In photos I was horrified," the 46-year-old said.

"People were like, 'Why don't you get rid of those deep lines (around her mouth)?'"

But filming the TV series, which screened on TV One last year and is about to air in America, changed her perception of beauty.

"After going on this journey and seeing other cultures, away went that superficial idea of beauty," she told reporters.

"Ideas of beauty are old and need to be shattered. We have no self-acceptance. If we don't enjoy who we are then how can you offer fully any sense of beauty or well-being or longevity?"

- nzherald.co.nz