Theron’s sweet smell of success

Actress Charlize Theron has signed a contract with Christian Dior to be the face of its bestselling perfume J’adore, pitting her against fellow Oscar winner Nicole Kidman, who will launch a similar campaign for Chanel.

Theron, who won the 2003 Oscar for best actress for her performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in “Monster,” is due to star in print and television advertisements for J’adore starting in the autumn, a spokeswoman for Parfums Christian Dior said Friday.

She could not provide details of the contract, but trade publication Women’s Wear Daily on Friday quoted industry sources as saying the South African actress had signed a three-year deal worth between $3 million and $5 million.

The former model is the latest celebrity to sign an advertising deal with a major fashion label. Hilary Swank, another Oscar winner, headlines underwear ads for Calvin Klein while starlets Scarlett Johansson, Diane Kruger and Chloe Sevigny star in Louis Vuitton’s autumn campaign.