SCARY MOVIE 4 - Q&A with CARMEN ELECTRA

How are you?

I didn't sleep last night at all. I performed at the Dinah Shore Weekend in Palm Springs last night with this dance group that I dance with and it was awesome, I had such a great time. But by the time we got back to LA it was nearly 5.30 am. The dance group is The Bombshells and we did a circus theme. I'm learning how to do the aerial hoop, it's sort of like aerial trapeze. So my muscles are sore from head to toe. But it is a good workout.

You do so many different things. Is it the challenge that gets you interested?

Everything is kind of different for me but when it comes to dancing it's what I know and have trained to do. I was classically trained to dance. It's easier for me but when it comes to acting it's more of a challenge and I almost like that more because I really have to think about it more. With dance I learn the steps and then it's just a feeling; the music's on and there is a feeling, you get on stage, perform and then you're done. But with acting in front of the camera it can be seen forever...hopefully in theatres and then on DVD and it's always sort of there. Since for me it's more of a challenge I kind of like that. I like needing to put more thought into the process.

In most movies so far you have had small roles, would you like to have bigger parts?

Absolutely. Ultimately that's probably everyone's goal. For me doing CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2 was great because I did have a lot bigger part in that movie and every situation is different. With SCARY MOVIE 4 I couldn't say no because I loved being in the first one and even though it is a cameo, it's so worth it because it is so much fun to do.

And at least you don't die this time?

I don't die in this one...which is interesting.

Had you seen THE VILLAGE which you parody in this film?

I did and I loved it. But they didn't send me the script for SCARY MOVIE 4 because the script was very secretive. So I never did get one actually. But it is David Zucker and there is complete trust. So I read my scenes and I thought they were really funny. I thought it would be a riot to play the blind girl.

At first the loo scene that you do was supposed to be not so outrageous? What do you think when you heard that they had added more extreme sound effects?

At first I was scared. My manager called and said that one of the producers from SCARY MOVIE 4 needed to talk to me because they had made some changes in the scenes. And he wanted to talk to me personally about this. So I thought they had cut me out and I wasn't in the movie now. When the producer called he was a little nervous to tell me about the changes. When he did I was a little shocked at first. Then I laughed about it. He reassured me that when they tested that scene the audience was rolling about in the aisles. So I thought...Ok, someone has to do the potty humour, why not let it be me!

Was it embarrassing?

It would be embarrassing if it were real. If it really happened then I would be humiliated. But it's a movie.

Are you happy with the result?

I watched it before I appeared on a talk show and everyone in the room was laughing. I figured I'd rather get a bigger laugh. So I'm a good sport about it.

Would you have done it if it had been in the script?

It was easier for me to do it this way but I probably would have done it. I think this way was better because it could have gone to a really ugly place and it didn't.

Is it an advantage for a sexy lady to do comedy because it gives the comedy an added dimension when it's delivered by someone who looks like you?

I think it does. But I didn't go into it looking at it that way. My friends know that I have a silly sense of humour and I can be a little vulgar at times...but just with people that I am close to. I like to make people laugh. I like that kind of silly stuff. For me it's a natural thing to want to do something like this. Other people's perspective - just seeing the sexy image - might be that I take my sexuality very seriously. But I really don't. I like being sexy, it's fun and I have had a nice little career off it. It is a part of who I am but there are so many other sides. This means I get to show that I don't take myself so seriously.

What do people not know about you?

I'm very independent. I like to be alone a lot. I like to go shopping by myself...that's my quiet time. I prefer to drive myself. I guess I like to be in control. It sounds like it...doesn't it? I have people who look after me and help me when I'm out of town. But when I'm at home in LA it's my time and I love to just get in my car, crank up the music, and relax.

Is it possible for you to have privacy here in LA?

Sometimes. The paparazzi have got worse for everyone over the years. It has just become such a big deal. No one in this business really has much privacy. There is an upside and a downside to it. Sometimes I'm fine. It just depends on where you are and if someone sees you and takes down your licence plate number. But sometimes you go to places, and no one knows and it's fine. It really just depends.

How can you shop without being hassled even by fans who might just want an autograph?

If I fight it, it'll drive me crazy, so I don't. To be honest I am really grateful if someone wants my autograph. I look on it as a compliment and not something that's annoying. But of course there are moments when you don't want to be bothered but usually I see it as a positive thing. So I embrace that side of it and I love the fans. Without them there wouldn't be anything. So you have to be grateful for that. When it comes to the paparazzi, there are times when it's a pain but I choose not to fight it. I let them get their shot and I just go on and I don't let it control me. I still do whatever it is I want to do, the way I want to do it. That's how I choose to live my life.

What about the Aerobics Striptease DVDs you did?

I decided to put out a DVD series of a work out that I called Aerobics Striptease. There are five DVDs. One is a true fitness DVD and for that we brought in a fitness trainer, so you get to tone and shape your muscles, and there is another DVD which is more camp and fun where you can learn little tricks on how to do a striptease and then there is a lap dance section and a more aerobics section. It's not vulgar. It is really tasteful and it is geared for women. I didn't make it for men to look at, although I don't mind if they want to. I'm totally cool with that. But it is for women and it is not intimidating. People ask...'Are you nude in it?'...No I'm not nude, I'm wearing workout clothes. But we take off layers. We take off maybe a jacket but we still have on clothes underneath.

Do you think that every women be sexy, even if they are bigger and don't have such a curvy shape?

Yeah being sexy is inside of you. It's a confidence and learning how to embrace your flaws because everybody has their issues and things that they don't like about themselves....whatever it takes to make you more secure with yourself, you can learn to do it.

What might you change about yourself?

My biggest downfall is my inner voice. Growing up as a dancer makes you very judgemental with yourself. You learn to look at yourself in the mirror and you criticise every line in your body. It's never perfect. I grew up with this because I had ballet every day in school...I went to the Performing Arts School and studied classical ballet...and that attitude is something that's put into your head. You are never thin enough. So I had to learn how to change my thinking because I can really get caught up in not liking my body...this isn't good enough, it could be better; I need to be thinner. It can turn into obsession and it can be really bad. I think that when that rules your life then you miss the joys of life. I'm learning that, slowly, but I'm learning it. It has helped me a lot. I actually lost weight by not obsessing. When I crave something I eat it and then I eat healthily, and I don't go...oh I can't eat. It means I don't want to eat too much because I'm letting myself be comfortable with it. It's really interesting. It has worked for me.

Your attitude towards autograph hunters is great but have there been times when their attention has been inappropriate?

There have been a couple and there was a rest room moment. It was weird and it was sweet too. There was a bunch of girls who were giggling and standing by the door of the rest room when I was there. And now in a movie like SCARY MOVIE 4 here I go to the bathroom in front of the whole world! But on that occasion with the girls in the rest room I thought they should maybe let me go and wash my hands first. It was a little weird happening when I was in the bathroom but it was still sweet.

Do you still have contact with Prince because he kind of discovered you?

I've just heard some of his new music and it's amazing! I haven't talked to him in years but I truly adore him and think he's amazing and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to have worked with him.

Are your eyes your real colour?

People always ask if they are contact lenses but no they are mine.

Are you going to do more music?

I would love to do more music - definitely. That is my true passion. Dance is first and then music.

You have a contract with Max Factor so how does it feel to be in the footsteps of Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth?

I can't believe it. I have to pinch myself because I always have had a dream of having a make-up campaign. I love make-up, I'm such a girl in that way. I love it so much and to be a part of Max Factor and to represent them is such an honour.

Do you ever go out of the house without wearing make-up?

Yeah I do. I do like a little make-up though. I like a little mascara and lip gloss at least. But when I go to the gym I'd feel weird wearing make-up. I used to wear full-on make-up there though too. I have got better.

You say you don't take yourself too seriously but when did people start taking you seriously as an artist?

I think when I got my life my together. When your personal life is kind of crazy and all over the place it's hard for someone to take you seriously. And I totally understand that, I don't blame them because it makes sense to me. But I feel in the past few years that I have worked really hard on myself and I've done a lot of healing and a lot of self discovery. I have a lot of really good people around me and a lot of great support and that's really changed my life and I don't know if people take me seriously now but I really don't care. I do what I like to do and I know that I'm a good person and I do put my heart into everything I do now because I'm a better person. And I care.

Is that because you are happier at home?

Yeah. When your home life is nice and calm then you can really focus on yourself and your career. But when your relationships are bad and crazy and you are in fear, it's hard to focus. This is the first time I have ever been in a relationship where the other person allows me to be me. And it feels good. He loves me for me and I can do what I do what I have got to do and it feels nice.

What will your husband think of your bathroom scene in SCARY MOVIE 4?

He'll love it! We both have such a silly sense of humour and he loves the first SCARY MOVIE and he gets a kick out of that. My dad will get a kick out of it too. I don't know if he'll love it but by now my family know what to expect from me. So it's no surprise.

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