In 1988, Monica moved to Milan and signed with Elite Model Management. By 1989, she was becoming prominent as a fashion model in Paris and Across the Atlantic, in New York City. She’s posed for Dolce & Gabbana and Elle.

In 2004 she topped AskMen’s 100 Most Beautiful Women in the World annual list.

Monica’s film career began in the early 1990’s when she played some minor roles in La Riffa (1991) and Bran Stoker’s Dracula (1992). She has since played in many films from Europe and Hollywood like Tears of the Sun (2003), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Passion of the Christ (2004), The Brothers Grimm(2005), Don’t Look Back (2009), and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010).

Married to Vincent Cassel, from Black Swan.