You don’t need to spend long in the company of former AFLW star Moana Hope, 31, and her model wife Isabella Carlstrom, 27, to realise their love is the real deal.
WHO’s SEXIEST: Rapid fire questions with Moana Hope and Isabella Carlstrom
Inseparable from the moment they met in a Melbourne bar two-and-a-half years ago – “I was drawn to her straight away. I actually had been overseas for six years and came back to Melbourne having no idea girls were playing footy, having no idea who she was.
When I approached her, she was just a girl in a bar!” reveals Carlstrom – the pair exchanged vows in August this year.
And now the newlyweds – primary carers to Hope’s 26-year-old sister Lavinia ‘Vinny’, who was born with the rare neurological disorder Moebius syndrome – are more than ready for the next chapter.
What do you find sexiest about each other?
Carlstrom: For me, it’s Mo’s authenticity. She’snever trying to be anything other than herself.
Hope: I don’t think I’ve ever found anybody as sexy as Isabella. I could sit here and say she’s obviously attractive and beautiful, but for me it’s Isabella’s personality that’s super-sexy.
She cares about things nobody else cares about, she gets me on a level nobody else gets me on, and her heart is so big and beautiful.
When do you each feel your sexiest?
Carlstrom: I feel sexiest when I’m authentically myself. Or when I’m running around naked in the house! I’m naked a lot! [Laughs]
Hope: When I’m with Belle.
Have you ever struggled with confidence?
Hope: I believe everyone is different for a reason and beautiful in their own way. So I’ve never looked at myself and gone ‘You’re not pretty or beautiful’. [But] I played for an AFL club where they told me I was fat and body-shamed me. I was shattered. I thought ‘What do I need to look like?
I’m not here to model for you. I’m here to play an elite sport.’ It was devastating, but the way I see life is so different to them. When you’re with someone like Belle who constantly reassures you, nobody else’s opinion matters.
Tell us about your family plans.
Carlstrom: We’re hoping that we fall pregnant by the end of this year. It’s been in the works for about a year now and we’re going through the beautiful Monash IVF. Some people are like ‘Ooh, I don’t want to jinx it’ but I’m just throwing all my positivity out there and letting my body do it.
So you’ll carry the baby?
Carlstrom: The first one, and then Mo is going to do the second one –maybe end of next year if we’re not too exhausted!I want to carry at least two, Mo wants to carry at least one.
Hope: I want three or four.
When did you first know you were in love?
Carlstrom: I knew like a week in but I held it in for three weeks and then I told her! [Laughs]
Hope: Mine was a tiny bit longer. I had a lot of wallsup, so decided to be single for a very long time. It was hard enough finding someone who was going to love me for me, and not because of football.
But then being with me also comes with becoming the carer of my little sister. For me, it was when I sat back and watched Belle interact with Vinny… I already knew I was attracted to her, I knew it could be amazing. But when I saw her interact with Vinny, and when she cooked…I
Carlstrom: Vinny’s the best.That’s why we’re so ready to be mums – because we already are to Vinny. We are full-time parents and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
WHO’s SEXIEST: BTS with Moana Hope and Isabella Carlstrom
WHO’s sexiest 2019 is out now!
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