In six years, model Nina Agdal went from having $40 in the bank to becoming Maxim magazine’s March cover story — oh, and she also nagged one of Hollywood’a biggest stars Leonardo DiCaprio.

Six years ago, Nina flew to Miami when she was only 18-years old with only forty bucks and a piece of paper with an address for the model apartment, she said to Maxim.

“English was my worst subject in school,” the model, who is from Denmark, said. “I was very shy about saying anything and was so scared.” Two years later, she became 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue’s “Rookie of the Year.”

But just because she’s dating Leo doesn’t mean she’s impressed by the whole stardom thing: “In general I can’t stand people who always turn a conversation into something about them,” she explained. “I can’t stand it when people are too into themselves… I like people who can make fun of themselves, who don’t take themselves too seriously… I think Danish girls might be a little more chill—at least, that’s what I’ve heard from people who’ve also dated American girls. I hear some of my friends talk about how you shouldn’t be doing that or wearing that yet. You know, ‘It’s only the fourth date,’ or whatever. I’m not like that. I don’t keep track.”