Derek Zoolander's "Blue Steel" look evolved from Christine TaylorChristine Taylor ribbing her husband Ben StillerBen Stiller about the way he combs his hair in front of a mirror in real life.
Derek's repetition of the line "But why male models?" for the second time in the cemetery scene was an ad-lib by the actors; Ben StillerBen Stiller forgot his line and simply repeated the earlier line again, and David DuchovnyDavid Duchovny ran with it and gave him a straight answer.
The voice heard saying "Ooo, Maury!" after Maury delivers the tushy squeeze is actually the voice of Christine TaylorChristine Taylor (Matilda Jeffries).
Owen WilsonOwen Wilson says "Who you tryin' to get crazy with 'ese? Don't you know I'm loco?" These are the opening lines to the [?] Cypress Hill song [Insane in the Brain].
Ben StillerBen Stiller wrote the part of Hansel specifically for Owen WilsonOwen Wilson and said that no one else was even considered for the role.
Ben StillerBen Stiller wrote David BowieDavid Bowie's scene as judge of the walk-off into the script without knowing for sure whether he would agree to it.
While trying to be farcical, the film is actually quite accurate regarding the modeling industry. Even the quick scene of the two sets of bunk beds at Derek's apartment is factual; [?] Cindy Crawford and [?] Jules Asner shared a similar bunkroom during the early days of their modeling careers.
Milla JovovichMilla Jovovich based her performance on her own mother [?] Galina Jovovich.
The part of Mugatu was originally written for Andy DickAndy Dick, who couldn't do it due to commitments to Go Fish.
Derek Zoolander is shown on a billboard modeling for Feria. Milla JovovichMilla Jovovich (who plays Katinka Ingabogovinanana) modeled for Feria at the time.
Owen WilsonOwen Wilson, who plays Hansel, wore a wig for the entire movie. He was filming Behind Enemy Lines at the same time, and had to keep his hair short for the role.
Ben StillerBen Stiller had several family members in this film: His wife Christine TaylorChristine Taylor (Matilda), father Jerry StillerJerry Stiller (Maury Ballstein), mother Anne MearaAnne Meara (protestor who hits Mugatu with an egg), sister Amy StillerAmy Stiller (one of Hansel's friends in his loft), and brother-in-law [?] Mitch Winston (Director of the infomercial).
The film has been banned in Malaysia because of the use of fictional Malaysian Prime Minister as the subject of assassination. It was originally also banned in neighboring Singapore, but the ban has since been lifted.
Director Trademark - Ben StillerBen Stiller: [Star Trek] Mugatu is named after Mugato from Star Trek: A Private Little War.
