She Sets the Tone 

with FHM United Kingdom February 2026 cover star Chelsea Pereira / @chelseabpereira 

Photographer: Austin Visschedyk 

Location: Singer Island, Florida 

Happy to have you on FHM. Any exciting projects lined up this year? Growing my travel business, Atlas Luxury Travel, shooting bold editorial stories, and spending more time in the ocean. I’m also hoping to get my diving certification, so expect more salt, sun, and adventure this year. 

What does confidence mean to you personally? Confidence is refusing to shrink. It’s knowing who you are, what you desire, and allowing yourself to take up space without apology. For me, confidence came when I stopped separating my identities and allowed sensuality, ambition, and motherhood to exist together. 

What has been the most defining moment in your journey so far? Becoming a mother changed everything. It didn’t soften my edge; it sharpened it. It forced me to build independence, redefine beauty, and lead with instinct instead of approval. That was the moment I truly stepped into my power. 

What’s a lesson you’ve learned that changed the way you see yourself? That evolution isn’t betrayal. I’m allowed to grow, shift, and expand without explaining myself. Every era of my life led me here, and I honor all of them. 

What’s one lifestyle change you made this year that completely transformed you? Downsizing and moving to Miami changed my life. I ditched my car, explore the city by foot, spend my days outside, dive into the ocean, cook with fresh farmers market ingredients, and eat really good local food. There’s endless culture and museums to discover. I’m living the Miami Beach daytime life and in bed by 8. Turns out I don’t need much, just sun, salt water, and a life that keeps me exploring. 

 
What does being featured in a magazine in 2026 represent for you at this stage of your 
journey? Just when I thought my modeling days were behind me, I get a cover at 34—one year 
postpartum. Guess I’m in my “hot mom” era and loving it. 

How has your definition of success evolved as the industry continues to change? Success used to mean visibility. Now it means freedom. Creative control, financial independence, time with my child, and work that still excites me. If it doesn’t feel alive, it’s not success. 

How do you stay authentic while navigating an increasingly digital and fast-moving 
world? I wear what I want, create what excites me, and design a life that feels expressive and 
loud. Authenticity comes from trusting your taste, following desire, and refusing to dilute 
yourself to keep up. 

What’s one lesson from your journey that you wish you’d learned earlier? You can’t do it all and do it well. Success isn’t about quantity; it’s about focus, intention, and executing your vision with creativity and precision. It’s better to master a few things than spread yourself thin. 

Your ideal first date: A sunset dinner with bold, spicy food, great wine, and conversation that lingers. Food is foreplay, and chemistry is everything. 

 
Guilty pleasure: Give me a bag of spicy chips, a bottle of Pinot, and some peace and quiet to binge a fantasy show. I was obsessed with The Witcher… until they recast Geralt. Henry Cavill grunting? 
Honestly, the ultimate turn-on. 

 
What makes you the ultimate partner to have? I’m ambitious, and I’ll push you to be your best. I’m a damn good cook, a total nurturer, and I turn every day into an adventure… yes, that includes exploring the city and the bedroom. 

 
What&’s on your travel bucket list? I’m all about places where nature, ancient lore, and mystery collide, and the food packs a punch. Peru for Machu Picchu and aji chili peppers. Brazil for Iguassu Falls. Palau and Micronesia to wander the enigmatic ruins of Nan Madol and the otherworldly Rock 
Islands. Thailand and China for spicy, flavorful dishes and centuries of fascinating history. Adventure, heat, and mystery, that’s my kind of trip. 

When people look back at this moment in your career, what do you hope it represents 
about who you are? That I lived unapologetically. That I expanded instead of shrinking. That I rejected everything society says you should settle for. That I proved womanhood doesn’t collapse into motherhood, it evolves. 

 
What’s one goal you didn’t hit last year that you’re determined to achieve this time? Scaling my creative ventures without sacrificing my lifestyle. This year, balance is the goal and the reward. 

What new doors or opportunities are you hoping to explore in your career? I’ve been meaning to do this for years, but I’m so passionate about food that I’d love to create more content of me cooking and eating around the world. My dream is to launch a line of globally inspired sauces and spices. 

What advice would you give to someone learning to step into their confidence? Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. 

Where can our readers catch up with you and stay updated with your work? I’m on Instagram and Threads @chelseabpereira , Snapchat @chelseabpereira X @chelseapereira_, TikTok @chelseabpereira.