5 Things You Didn't Know About Fabio

By Jennifer A.. Jul 25, 2024

Fabio Lanzoni, the Italian fashion model known for gracing the covers of romance novels and his memorable I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!^® commercials, is more than just a handsome face and perfect hair. Here are five facts that might surprise you about this ’90s icon:

1. Instant Modeling Success

Fabio’s career in modeling had a storybook start. Upon arriving in the United States, he walked into the offices of a major modeling agency and landed a contract within 15 minutes. The very next day he was brought on for an ad campaign for The Gap^®.

2. Romance Novel Royalty

With his flowing locks and muscular build, Fabio became the quintessential male figure on romance novel covers, posing for hundreds of them and becoming synonymous with the genre in the 1980s and ’90s. His likeness on a cover significantly boosted book sales, cementing his status as the king of romance novel imagery.

3. An Iconic 900 Number

During the 1980s and ’90s, having a 900 number was often a sign of a celebrity’s success. For Fabio, this venture was highly profitable. At $1.99 per minute, fans could call 1-900-90-FABIO to hear pre-recorded messages of him talking about whatever was on his mind. Additionally, each month, 10 fortunate callers would receive an actual phone call from the iconic model.

4. A Brush With Gaming

Fabio’s likeness wasn’t limited to the printed page; he once appeared on the cover of a Nintendo^® video game, “Ironsword: Wizards and Warriors II,” showcasing his warrior-like image to the gaming community as well.

5. Author in His Own Right

Not content to merely adorn book covers, Fabio took things a step further by coming up with stories for his own line of romance novels. While he didn’t write the prose himself, he was involved in crafting the narratives, further capitalizing on his romantic image.

Fabio’s journey from an aspiring model to a cultural phenomenon of the ’90s shows a blend of lucky breaks and savvy branding. His larger-than-life persona, both in ads and on book covers, made him an unforgettable part of pop culture.

Reference: 8 Things You Might Not Know About Fabio