Questionnaire
1. Are there particular qualities you like in a contestant?
Yes. When they tell me how fabulous I am! When they know my name and (case) number? (completely kidding!) What I HONESTLY like the most is when they are genuine. Not the ones who act crazy on purpose. You can tell when someone really needs the money and whatever they win will make a positive change in their life. It's so much fun to go on this roller coaster of a ride with them.
2. Do you have a favorite contestant, and who was it?
Everyone's favorite contestant... Gary Riotto. He's more of a celebrity than I am! He was completely present in the game. He interacted with all the models. He just didn't hold back. Gary was the first contestant to let loose (sit on the floor, run around, ascend the pyramid, etc.) and really make the game more multi-dimensional. Because he was comfortable, he made me feel at ease on stage.
3. How tough is it to stand in place for the entire taping? Is there
something like martial arts training for long-term smiling?
It's HORRID! And yes, we do go through martial arts training, not for smiling; that comes in time, but for high-heel standing. It's very extensive and only recommended for models! It's called the club, and it's not for the faint of heart. You must be willing to have on your highest heels, an uncomfortable yet eye-catching outfit, dance all night with drinks in your hand(s), and able to run from unwanted gentlemen callers at a moment's notice.
4. What was your most embarrassing moment on the show?
Standing at the wrong case well into a return from a commercial break.
5. What would you like to be doing next in your career?
Hosting, preferably a fashion/lifestyle-related show, while doing commercial and print work.
6. What do you like doing most with your free time?
Trying to figure out other ways to make more money! I have two book projects; one I'm actively working on, developing personal marketing strategies and waiting for my agency to tell me I've booked more work.
7. What one person, besides your parents, has had the most influence on
your life? Why?
Oh, geez... definitely a rapper (plus a few more). There are some specific lyrics that not only got me through those rough adolescent years of caring for myself on the schoolyard, but still stick with me today when coping with those hard-knock life situations. That's not glorious, but it's very true!
8. Where are you from originally? (If not from Los Angeles) What brought
you to Los Angeles?
Berkeley, California. Accepting a job offer under duress from my parents. They wouldn't allow me to go to New York and wing it, or travel the world for three months like I'd wanted! The job was with a woman I interned with the summer before I graduated college. Her agency represents hair, make-up and wardrobe stylists.
9. What has been a particularly memorable experience in your life,
something that really stood out?
Oh, there's SO MANY! I think I'll have to go with being on "Oprah"? No, certainly watching the development of my relationship with my little sister, which has grown from being complete strangers.
10. Now for the important questions: what was your favorite television
show when you were ten?
That's too random! Whatever shows were popular in the '80s? "The Simpsons," after-school cartoons, "A Different World."