ABOUT US
In 1993, after devouring Stephen Fried's narrative
Thing of Beauty, I became enamored of Gia.
Around that time,
I was lucky enough to
have recorded a 12-minute TV report on Gia, from the show
Hard Copy. For
the first time, I got to hear her voice, both polished (with the aid of a
voice coach, for the 1982 ABC
20/20 report on the dark side of the modeling industry), and rough
(her Philly accent from home video).
It was haunting to watch Gia move and speak. Exciting.
Saddening.
At that time, video of Gia was unheard of. The
ABC
20/20
report
was nearly two decades forgotten. The
E!
True Hollywood Story hadn't yet been
produced. There was
no YouTube.
In 1998, I was thrilled to learn
Angelina Jolie would play Gia Carangi in
the HBO movie
Gia,
but disappointed with how the events of Gia's life were portrayed when the
film came out. I felt hyperbolic episodes in her life were
sensationalized and that she was a caricature in her own life story.
Nevertheless, this movie has the distinction of single-handedly minting
hundreds of thousands of Gia Carangi enthusiasts.
Over the next few years, Gia fans found a voice and a gathering place on
the internet. Dozens of chat groups hosting heated discussions on
Gia-related topics sprouted. And the trading frenzy on Ebay for Gia
magazines and books was mesmerizing (left, Ebay screen shot
of $510 sale of Philadelphia magazine featuring Gia on cover and inside).
I
launched GiaCarangi.com on
January 10, 2000 as a love
letter to Gia. (Original homepage pictured left).
I've scoured the virtual globe gathering photos and artifacts of Gia Carangi. GiaCarangi.com serves as a continuum of Gia's existence in
this world. A virtual gathering place
for the curious...and the infatuated.
In the months to come, I'll be introducing some new insights on and photos
of
Gia Carangi, from those who knew her best. So you might want to... 
.
Peace on ya!
- Cherie
