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By ANDREA MAGRATH
Model muse: Julia Roberts appears in Christmas advertisement for Italian coffee house Lavazza as Botticelli's VenusShe held the crown of Hollywood's highest paid actress for most of the last decade, only recently being toppled by the likes of Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon and Cameron Diaz.
But perhaps America's Sweetheart Julia Roberts is attempting to claw back to the top spot, after agreeing to appear in a 45-second advertisement for Italian coffee house Lavazza - for the hefty fee of 1.2 million euros (£1.14 million).
Lavazza bosses are seemingly so confident in Julia's talent that she is not even required to speak for her role in the 45-second ad.
The actress appears in the heavenly advertisement, to be screened over the Christmas period in Italy, as Botticelli's Venus in a setting in the clouds.
The scene opens with the painter at his wits end as his difficult muse refuses to smile for him as he attempts to create his masterpiece, Spring Allegory.
Bankable: The actress was paid over £1 million for the non-speaking roleThe ad also features two famous Italian entertainers, Paolo Bonolis and Luca Laurenti who offer the 43-year-old star some of Lavazza's A Modo Mio coffee.
After sipping the coffee, Julia breaks into her trademark toothy grin as the men rejoice around her and Botticelli excitedly gets to work to capture her smile.
Dilemma: Julia plays the difficult muse of artist Botticelli, who is frustrated with her refusal to smileThe brief advertisement ends with Roberts winking at the camera.
The Pretty Woman star only filmed the advertisement two weeks ago during a brief stint in Rome.
She was perhaps convinced to return no only for the hefty sum she is reported to have received, but also after she fell in love with the filming location during shooting of her last film Eat Pray Love.
Roberts said during promotion for the movie that she gained ten pounds during filming in Rome, where she underwent 'Olympic carbo loading.'
Star power: Famous Italian entertainers Paolo Bonolis and Luca Laurenti save the day by offering Roberts Lavazza's A Modo Miio coffee to put a smile on her face'By the time we would cut I'd be done with an entire pizza or a whole bowl of pasta,' she said. 'The take would just go on and on and I'd love it.'
The mother-of-three has followed in her friend George Clooney's footsteps by fronting the coffee house's holiday campaign.
Her Ocean's Eleven co-star recently filmed a similar advertisement for Nespresso, which sees him up in the clouds, in his case arriving at the Pearly Gates to be greeted by St Peter - played by John Malkovich.
Coffee addicts: George Clooney fronts the holiday campaign for Nespresso
Heavenly: The ad, which also stars John Malkovich has a similar theme to his Ocean's Eleven co-star
Clooney, who has been the face of the brand for several years, recently defended his decision to appear in the commercials.
He said: 'You want to have a product you are proud of and not embarrassed by. 'You don't want to do ones that aren't classy. That's the truth. That's the secret to it.'
Julia Roberts appears to go by the same rule, and is very selective about what products she endorses.
The Atlanta-born actress is also the global ambassador for Lancome.
source: dailymail [endtext]
