Aurora Diaz-Plaja Birch – The Third World Girl in Buzios from Last Mango in Paris is a special guest on The Paul Leslie Hour.
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Ya know, it’s fascinating when a photo makes its way around the world, but the person in the picture isn’t necessarily known. The inspiration and subject of this episode are connected to an album cover, “The Last Mango in Paris.” Ya know it? There’s two people in the picture. One of course was Jimmy Buffett, but who was the other person? Hmmm.
Do you ever wonder about the story behind a picture? Jimmy Buffett once sang, “A picture’s worth a thousand words, just ask a cameraman.” That’s interesting and a good point. A photo at times can spark the imagination. It can even tell a story.
Well, our guest, Aurora Diaz-Plaja Birch, has been photographed quite a lot. She said: “Modeling or acting was a very unlikely pursuit for me. As a child I hid from the camera — even begged my mother not to buy the school photos as I didn’t want to trade mine with classmates.”
Aurora never would’ve considered a career as a model until working as a waitress at a disco/night club in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The hired photographer asked to do a photo shoot with her. You see he wanted to enter her into a Miss Black Velvet Contest with a $50,000 prize.
Here’s the thing: to enter the contest, you had to be 21. She wasn’t. So the photographer gave her the photographs and encouraged her to take them to a modeling agency.
This was the beginning of a career in modeling, but as Aurora puts it, “it was always a means to an end and the end was to travel.” From that standpoint, it was a success as she was able to travel to Japan and Spain.
But, remember the cover of “Last Mango in Paris”? That picture you could say is what led Paul to try to locate the woman who depicted the “Third World Girl in Buzios.” We’re pleased to welcome her to tell you all a part of her story.
And The Paul Leslie Hour is all about helping people tell their stories, been doing it for a long time. Just go right here, and we thank you!
Ummm. If the phone doesn’t ring, who is it? Okay. It’s time. Shall we begin?
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FAQ about the Aurora Diaz-Plaja Birch Interview
1. Who is the woman on the cover of Jimmy Buffett’s Last Mango in Paris album?
Answer: The woman on the cover of Jimmy Buffett’s 1985 album Last Mango in Paris is Aurora Diaz Plaja Birch. She confirmed her identity during the interview, ending years of speculation about the “mystery woman” featured in the album’s cover photo.
2. Where was the cover photo for Last Mango in Paris taken?
Answer: The front cover photo was taken at Galatoire’s restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana. Although the album title references Paris, logistical constraints led to the shoot taking place in New Orleans, as Aurora explained.
3. Were the guns used in the Last Mango in Paris photo shoot real?
Answer: Yes, the guns in the photo shoot were real, including a gold derringer, a .357 in Aurora’s belt, and a rifle. An ATF agent was present on set at all times, though Aurora noted she was unsure if the guns were loaded, as she had no experience with firearms.
4. How did Aurora Diaz-Plaja Birch end up on the album cover?
Answer: Aurora was selected through her agent, Gail, who sent out Aurora’s composite (a collection of modeling photos) to Jimmy Buffett’s team. Gail contacted Aurora in April 1985, informing her that Buffett wanted her for the album cover, and she agreed, finding the opportunity fun and exciting.
5. What was Aurora’s impression of Jimmy Buffett during the photo shoot?
Answer: Aurora described Jimmy Buffett as a “warm southern gentleman, very funny, very smart, and very easy-going.” She noted that the entire crew was welcoming, and the experience included meals, drinks, and a relaxed, fun atmosphere, reflecting Buffett’s approachable personality.
