Born and raised in Southern California, Lisa had always dreamed of one day becoming a model. Her parents encouraged her, but were unable to offer any financial support, so Lakatos put that dream on hold. Upon graduating from high school, she found herself juggling college and small modeling gigs while working full time for a non-profit agency for the disabled. Once modeling began to pick up, she left her day job and moved to Orange county to pursue her career as an esthetician and part-time model. Then along came "Deal or No Deal."

When not working, she enjoys spending time with her bulldog, Billy, reading self-help books, cooking, bike riding, exercising, shooting pool, and has just taken up belly dancing.

Lakatos can't get enough of going out to eat, especially if it means being out on the patio!

This Hungarian/Japanese/German-born beauty considers herself to be a big dork who admits she still listens to old New Kids on the Block CDs and would much rather go karaoke-ing than to a club any day! Always looking on the bright side, she believes things really do happen for a reason. "Live, laugh, love" is her motto. So beware of her smile. it's contagious!


Questionnaire

1. Where are you from originally? (If not from Los Angeles) What brought you to Los Angeles?
I've lived in Southern California all my life. I was originally born in Los Angeles, but mostly grew up in the Inland Empire. I now live in Orange County and absolutely love it!

2. How did it feel when you found out you'd been selected as a Deal or No Deal model? What excites you the most about being on the show?
When I got "the call" I was beyond thrilled! I had been praying for it just seconds before I found out. and after I received the great news, I was so thankful that my prayers had been answered. What excites me most about being on the show is that not only am I working a girl's dream job, but I'm also able to watch other peoples' dreams come true! It's a win-win situation!

3. Do you have previous experience with modeling or show business, and if so, what is it?
I've been modeling for the past six years. I started off working a full-time day job (at a social services agency for the developmentally disabled) while modeling part time. Some of my work includes posters for Miller Lite, NASCAR and the Anaheim Ducks, print work for various magazines and calendars, including a cover for Whole Life Times, Benchwarmer Trading Cards, Trashy Lingerie, ring card girl, music video and TV show appearances, and much more!

4. What one person, besides your parents, has had the most influence on your life? Why?
My sisters Michelle and Wendy and my friends have had the most influence on my life. I get the best of both worlds by having an older and younger sister and I have the most amazing and supportive friends a girl could ask for!

5. What has been a particularly memorable experience in your life, something that really stood out?
My entire childhood was such a memorable experience in itself! I can reminisce for hours with my older sister about our unforgettable childhood and the things we did to entertain ourselves as kids. We didn't have much money growing up, so we had to be creative. Some of my favorite childhood memories with my sister include making our own Barbie houses out of shoe boxes, cereal boxes and hand towels, making Slip n' Slides out of trash bags, getting our very first Cabbage Patch Kids, daddy telling us stories before bedtime, making Christmas ornaments with mommy, slumber parties with friends, back-to-school shopping, getting ice cream from the ice cream truck, and playing outside till our throats were sore! The list just goes on and on!

6. What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
I hope to be alive and happy and to travel all around the world since there's so much I haven't even begun to see!

7. What do you like doing most with your free time?
I love doing so many things with my free time! Eating is my all-time favorite thing to do, believe it or not! And of course cooking goes right along with that. To me, eating is the perfect way to entertain and get friends and family together. I love BBQs, going out to eat (especially if it includes sitting outside on a patio), having people over for lunch or dinner, and going to parties where there's yummy food. I also love watching the Food Network, reading self-help books, listening to good music, going to concerts, decorating, taking my bulldog Billy to the park and doggy beach, having a glass of red wine while watching a chick flick by myself (so I can cry all I want without the embarrassment), shopping by myself, and I enjoy spending quality time with my wonderful family and friends.

8. What is your favorite place to travel?
Since I haven't traveled much, I can tell you where I would most love to travel, and that is Japan! Many of my relatives are from Japan, including my mother and grandparents. I hear the people there are extremely welcoming and friendly and that shopping in Tokyo is amazing! Oh and I love Japanese food!

9. What was your favorite television show when you were ten?
I loved "Saved by the Bell!" I can still sing the whole theme song word for word! And I thought Zack Morris was the coolest since he had that "brick" cell phone! You know, having a cell phone was practically unheard of at that time!

10. What is your favorite sports team and/or favorite music group?
I absolutely love music! So there's no way I could name just one favorite artist. Some of my all-time faves include The Cure, Depeche Mode, Morrissey, Social Distortion, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Prince. all of whom I've seen in concert. except for MJ.