Earlier this week reports surfaced that Gemma Ward, the baby-faced, blue-eyed, blonde-haired beauty, would be retiring from modeling to pursue her blossoming acting career. But today we have news to the contrary, straight from the model herself.

"I was surprised to wake up this morning and read news of my own retirement. While I am taking some time off currently to rest and enjoy the company of friends and family, I am still very much a (excited and enthusiastic) working model and actress. I'm only 20, for God's sakes."

Hear that? She's only 20. Let the girl have a break! Her agency, IMG, did confirm for us, however, that she will be taking off through the end of September, which means we won't be seeing her on the spring 2009 runways. That said, we'll be watching carefully to see where she plants herself for her modeling reappearance. It's bound to be something big.

Earlier: Is Gemma Ward Retiring?