She left home when she was 16 to pursue a modeling career and was discovered by photographer Paul Pelak and his wife Margaret while enrolled at John Casablancas in 1985.
After her photo appeared in Seventeen in 1985, the Boyertown honor student and varsity letter-winner in track and cross country was a much sought-after face for magazine covers, advertisements and commercials.
She made her move onto the runway for Victoria's Secret, Thierry Mugler, Versace, Prada and Calvin Klein and soon became a favorite subject of photographers Herb Ritts, Irving Penn, and Steven Meisel for her natural, soft look.
Also in 2004, it was announced that Almay Cosmetics, owned by Revlon, selected Elaine as their spokesmodel and signed her to a seven year contract to represent the brand.
[8] On December 30, 2010, it was announced that she and Mellencamp were separating after eighteen years of marriage, but both chose to stay in Indiana to raise their two children.