Original french article:
http://www.unificationfrance.com/?21373-Mentalist-La-Vie-de-Chateau-pour



Here is a translation (feel free to correct my English, as there must be some infelicities of style! I will edit then)



MENTALIST: SIMON BAKER KING OF THE CASTLE

Text and photos by Dominique Bleuet - June 23rd 2012


Driving a luxury collector coupé, Simon Baker came in the racecourse of Chantilly, last Sunday, June 17th, having attended Longines Gala Dinner the day before as the guest of Honour. New ambassador of the brand, the Australian actor declared oneself « very proud to have been chosen to embody the brand slogan » who claims that Elegance is an attitude.

And the fans of the Mentalist will have noticed how their favourite actor personifies the concept: a strange mixture of laid-back attitude (he is a real joker) and style. Indeed, in this slightly "prim” environment, Simon Baker brought a light touch of welcome eccentricity.

Radiant and beaming, he could have almost put the sun in the shade! The weather was splendid and warm. Some were getting heated and for a while, there were fear of some excesses, for instance when the security "men in black" proved to be a bit too officious around the star, or even ungracious towards the public. One must say that the groupies were at times a bit overattentive.
Nevertheless, the very calm and phlegmatic actor playing Patrick Jane managed it all with a smile and with elegance (it’s his new job).

Aware of how difficult it was for "non accredited" people to reach him, he kindly took part in a photo session under the camera lenses of his fans, for more than twenty minutes or so, right after the award ceremony of the Prix de Diane and the "Most Elegant woman" prize.
He sat in front of the tent of the Longines guests, where some of his afficionados and journalists eager to get less official pictures had congregated.

Faithful to his reputation, Simon Baker was accommodating and even considerate towards some, who got a very personal greeting, or an autograph.
« We came knowing that he would be there » this family confessed to me, in which the younger girl has a passion for horse riding. « It was an opportunity to see him, besides admiring a nice show and having a good day! ». And what a day, Ladies! The youngest girl walked off with the signature of the good looking blond man on her cap.

If the majority of the public were indeed there for the races, the horses and the Grand Prix de Diane atmosphere, no doubt the famous Mentalist paying a visit has drawned some additional onlookers; Stealing in doing so the limelight from the Prince Aga khan, once again victorious with his 3-year-old filly Valyra, who made him the most successful owner of the Prix de Diane, with seven wins.

Interviewed during a few minutes by Nelson Monfort, for France 3 Television, Simon Baker revealed that he could definitely make a film in France in 2013. A feature-length film maybe ?

Anyway, he perfectly played his role of Longines Ambassador by presenting the winners of the day some superb luxury watches. A superb watch he wore on his wrist with all the required elegance, but also with this hint of facetious attitude that he can’t give up.
A good dose of irony which highly contributes to the charm of this classy figure, both on stage and off, in the country or at the foot of a splendid castle.