Short hair and leg in a cast, she has never been more feminine. Here is the new Vanessa: airy, alleviated, angelic, despite her wounds and bruises. She offers us a new face and an exclusive interview.

What happened to your leg?

I had an accident skiing in Quebec. The result: four fractures. I calcify well, but I still have about a month and a half in this cast.

Definitely, Canada doesn't bring you luck! It is reminiscent of the incident with the custom officials who found a little hash in your bag.

I really adore the people of Quebec. As for "the incident," I prefer not to dwell on it.

Delon, Belmondo, reunited in top billing with you, is it a little girl's dream?

I didn't think of it when I saw them on television. But it's true that it's something pretty unreal.

Delon the silent one and Belmondo the extrovert...

I don't agree. Jean-Paul can give the impression of something very extroverted. He is totally capable of getting up on a table and putting on a show, but as the same time he's someone very modest, very timid. Alain is someone more introverted, but so impulsive!

They got along well or were they sometimes limited?

There is an enormous tenderness between them. As for their past estrangement, you know, I believe that, when there was a clash, it's that there's a lot of love at the bottom of it.

In the film, you drive cars very fast. Do you drive the same in real life?

Yes. But not at break-neck speeds like my character. In Paris it's necessary to drive fast, if not you'll spend your whole life in the car.

Isn't having a foot in movies, a foot in music, sometimes a bit of a wobbly situation?

No, not at all. As soon as music knocks me out of breath, I will escape in a film and vice versa.

Why do you never sing in your films?

It's true, that's never happened. I would, however, love to do a musical, but wait, a very good one... My dream would be to film in a musical comedy a la Fred Astaire, with those absolutely incredible choreographies. But I don't know which director is capable of that today.

Eight years ago you said: "I can't sing or act." Provocation or lucidity?

I remember this time. I hadn't made an album or a film. It's necessary to put things in their context. At 14 years old, when I started, I couldn't sing. With acting, it is similar. When Noce Blanche was proposed to me, I had never acted.

Are there mistakes that you regret having made?

Yes, I made some, but I don't regret them. You learn a lot from your mistakes. There are things of which I'm not especially proud of. A film, some songs too, and a music video.

And romantically?

Romantic mistakes? No. Absolutely no.

Do you love madly at the moment?

Yes, eternally. I don't like anything half-way.

Would you be able to give up everything for a man?

It would take me a few more years of experience for me to give it all up. Perhaps children will push me to that. Give up everything for a man? Yes, but with plenty of bémols!

Paradise, for you, what is it?

It's afterwards. After death.

Has your age, finally, caught up with your life?

Yes, it's there. When I was 15 and 16 years old, my friends were starting high school, and I lived at 200 mph. I had my apartment and freedom and a job. I had to make decisions all alone, I had responsibilities. And that was not easy to handle.

How do you see yourself in 20 years?

Ooo la la! If you only know how much it annoys me to project myself into the future. The only thing I hope for, is that there will be three or four children around me.

One meets stars that are more and more inhuman. What is your antidote for remaining human?

The fear of becoming inhuman! When you're a star, you don't have the right to fart higher than your ass. It's the basic rule.

How is your relationship with your mother?

She is my mother, my friend, my confidante, my model. My mom, she's the rarest of diamonds. A small but immense woman. She advises me, she supports me, she's very strong.

What revolts you, particularly?

There are so many things! I won't start to make a top ten... You want to know what really revolts me? Not coming to the assistance of someone when you have the means to.

Wasn't it always your dream to "kick in the balls" of the journalists who descended on you?

I said that at a time when the press was particularly harsh with me. I can't say the attacks were unjust, because to tell an actress she's bad is not unjust. But it was so disproportionate that I felt guiltier than a murderer. About the kick in the balls, that depends on the provocation. Certain words make me react.

Mae West said: "To seduce men, it's not difficult. It's enough to show them my tits. The women need also be seduced." With you it seems that your enemies are women.

No, no, not at all! All that is in the past, when I was spit on or my hair was pulled. And, you know, you can also show your tits and please some women...

I saw a photo of you at Parce des Princes. Will you follow the World Cup?

No. I'm surrounded by boys who love football. So, for the experience, I went. But I'm not at all into football.

What will you do during the World Cup?

Something else, that's for sure! Without doubt, record my next CD.

What memories do you have of the 50th-aniverssary Elle covers?

It was an enormous pleasure to be chosen. Initially because it allowed me to be photographed by four grand artists. And then, because it's flattering to be selected for such an event.

You always live between New York and Paris?

No, I'm again in Paris. I love New York, it's a city that transforms me, makes me hysterical. But I'm obliged to be in France because of my profession.

Which part of your body do you prefer?

My left ankle.

What do you like in a man? And what you hate in a man?

Hate? His meanness. But I love when a man is surprising. Positively surprising or negatively surprising.

Do you really think, like you once said, that you are displeasing?

No.

Do you like to go cruising to pick up guys?

I don't like the phrase "cruising to pick up guys." I prefer to talk and laugh with someone, and then have something happen. To go out with that motive, I find that really scrubby.

How do you spend your days at this moment with your leg in a cast?

What I regret the most, is that I can't wear high heels, and dance all night.

You like the vamp-sexy look?

Sexy, it's a restricting term. I would rather say feminine, but that's a boring word. I adore clothes, muslins, hand bags.

Are you for or against the legalization of soft drugs?

I'd prefer to zap the subject. But, ok, I acknowledge, I'm for it. But I make a distinction between hard and soft drugs. There are things that are more harmful than soft drugs, alcohol for example, and all the filths you buy at the pharmacy. A "smoke" does less evil than a glass or whisky or three Prozacs. But my opinion applies only to my personal experimentation. I never endangered myself in this arena.

Does it please you that Florent Pagny won at the French Grammys?

Yes, of course, I'm very happy for him.

To whom do you say "I love you" at this moment?

Zob!

That's a name very common in the press.

Zob! It's pretty, no?