Introducing Hanna Verboom: A Dutch stunner in European Gigolo

Filipinos can consider themselves luckier than the Japanese. Why? Because Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo will screen in the country but not in Japan.

"This movie is not gonna be released in Japan because of the "Penis" jokes and I am not changing it for that," explained Rob Schneider during a recent interview at the swanky Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. "The people in Japan are going to have to see it on DVD."

There is another reason though why Filipino fans (males, in particular) ought to be rejoicing. Her name is Hanna Verboom and she is one real Dutch treat.

She makes her Hollywood debut opposite Rob and Eddie Griffin, who returns as Deuce’s pimp.

The Dutch stunner, who stands 5’10", came to the interview room garbed in a form-fitting black wrap-look dress accented by a white belt that further emphasized her slim figure.

The first thing one would notice about her is her almost perpetual smile; she would first throw a small giggle before she would answer a question.

Hanna made her film debut in 2004. She played the female lead in the Dutch comedy Snow Fever.

"It was fun. It was a great experience," she says about her experience doing her first movie. "Amsterdam has quite a small film industry but we have a lot of talented actors and filmmakers."

Before she dabbled into acting, Hanna was a successful model. She won the Dutch Elite Model Look in 2003 and has been hosting the weekly musical show Top of the Pops. She also has mounted successful exhibits of her expressionist and abstract paintings, which she hopes of bringing to the US.

Now that she is embarking on a Hollywood career, she has her eyes set on doing more movies. "I have stopped modeling. I am focusing on my career now and we’ll see what comes out of that. I have been here for a while, doing some workshops and auditions."

"After doing two comedies, I’d love to do a dramatic character that would show some of my acting skills," she says.

She is afraid of being typecast, though. "I hope I will not be asked to do the same parts over and over again. I wouldn’t mind putting on 10 pounds for a role."

But would she go nude, we asked. She let out a naughty smile and hesitated with her reply. "No. Only if it is very important for the character and for the movie, then I would consider it."

She is indeed one trouper. In order for her to win the part of Eva Voorsboch, Deuce Bigalow’s love interest, she was asked to walk like a chicken during the audition.

"I was auditioning for a smaller part (that of the Windmill Girl) and they asked me to read for the part of Eva and it went very well," she reveals.

But in real-life would she fall in love for somebody like Deuce Bigalow?

"No, not really," she declares. "I guess, you know, he is sweet and he knows how to make a woman feel comfortable. I think that’s a good thing and one of the traits that I would really fall in love with. But I like my men taller than I am."

She, however, only has good words for her co-star. "Rob is very funny. He is a great comedian and on the set, I just couldn’t stop laughing."

And someday, she looks forward to working with Sean Penn. "He is my favorite actor," she exclaims. "I would love to work with him. I’ve never actually met him but I’ve seen him a couple of times already. I also love Philip Seymour Hoffman (who is receiving early Oscar buzz for his portrayal of Truman Capote in Capote) and Benicio Del Toro."

As Hollywood beckons, she still considers Amsterdam to be her home base. "I love Amsterdam. I grew up in Africa. My parents were both aid workers and we moved a lot, but I spent 12 years in Kenya. When we finally settled in Amsterdam, I was just so happy to finally have a place I can call home."

Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo opens tomorrow (Oct. 12) in Metro Manila.