It was a cold, calculated business decision for Elle Macpherson to join the cast of The Beautiful Life.

We have to admire her honesty in admitting that.

"To tell you the truth, I had been building a brand in Europe and the U.K. and Australia with lingerie and with my body products, and I knew I needed exposure in America," said Macpherson, the famously fetching 46-year-old Australian supermodel.

"The best way to get exposure in America is through television."

Uh, have you seen the network ratings recently, Elle?

Okay, in all seriousness, she's absolutely right. Hence her involvement in The Beautiful Life, which debuts tonight on A and CW.

"I've had 25 years in the fashion industry and many years as a businesswoman, so it's great for me to be able to combine my two fields in this character, Claudia," Macpherson said.

"She's the head of the modelling agency. And you know, she has been through a lot. You can see it on her face. I think she's going to have an interesting plot."

Will any of the attire from the real-life Macpherson collection be making its way into The Beautiful Life?

"The wardrobe (in the pilot) was mine -- we had no budget!" Macpherson said.

"Hopefully I'm going to get my lingerie in there, believe me!"

The Beautiful Life, which is executive-produced by former model Ashton Kutcher, centres on the experiences of teenage models Raina Marinelli (played by Sara Paxton) and Chris Andrews (played by Benjamin Hollingsworth). Besides Macpherson, the cast also features Mischa Barton, Corbin Bleu, Ashley Madekwe and Nico Tortorella.

"What's really interesting is that we as a team, because of our multiple experiences, are working very hard to make sure this program is authentic," Macpherson said.

"Authentic in its human relations, authentic in its portrayal of the (modelling) industry, authentic in the growth and the arc of people within this industry.

"It is not a manufactured version. We have all had enough experience to be able to really monitor that, to keep this real, to keep it honest, and to have an integrity."

Macpherson still looks great, not surprisingly. So what's her secret? Daunting diets? A workout regimen that would bring normal human beings to their knees? Sacrifices to pagan gods? Daily surgery?

"I love sports -- I'm not interested in being 'in shape,'" Macpherson said.

Coulda fooled us.

Actually, we get what she means. She rather would play sports for fun and be in shape as a result of that, instead of specifically working out for the purpose of being in shape.

"I water-ski, and I snow-ski, and I hike, and I paddle-board," Macpherson said.

"I should probably diet, but I don't. I just eat very healthily. Three balanced meals a day. It's just common sense. Lots of water. Lots of protein. Lots of vegetables.

"I do have a sweet tooth, though. I'll have a coffee, I love espresso.

"I try not to have it, it's not good for me, but I do."

Wow ... that really does sound like The Beautiful Life.