– January 13th, 2007 –
I haven’t posted my infamous “Seven Questions With…” in quite some time. But I figured that I would start off the new year with Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander. The upfront hoopstress from the first season of Flavor of Love sat down with me, as she talked from her Michigan home, about what was next for her and expressed her disdain for loser (two-time loser) — New York.
But who’s really doing winning now? 4.4 million viewers tuned into watch New York’s new show on VH-1. While the last time we saw Hoopz was on Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘n Out show. With the tables seemingly turned (for now), let’s see what Hoopz had to say about a myriad of random topics.
RRR: If you could have a one on one, no holds barred, back yard boogie brawl with anyone in the entire world (living or dead) – who would it be and why?
Hoopz: I would like to say nobody… just because I don’t have a reason. I’d have to have a reason to do something like that. If someone were to start something with me, then it’d be me and them in the back yard .
RRR: A lot of men look at you as a sex symbol, but you seem pretty coy about your features. When has there been one time where you let all your inhibitions go and just let loose on an unsuspecting man?
Hoopz: Really, I’ve done that in any relationship that I was in. [Laughs] You know I got to gets mines, too! In the beginning, you start off kissing and you know… [laughs] …clothes get to be ripped off. With me, you’re going to get a challenge. You’re either in the bed, sleep, from being exhausted… or you’re eating a bowl of cereal to regain some strength. [Laughs] I have like 30 boxes of cereal. I love it anytime of day.
RRR: You kept it real on the show, especially about New York and her romp in the sack with Flavor Flav. Has there ever been a time where keeping it real ever went wrong?
Hoopz: Nope, not in my eyes.
RRR: Rumors aside – if it was true that you and Dwayne Wade had engaged in an affair and you were pregnant by him – how would it feel to be called a hypocrite by the media and Ms. New York (because you know she’d have something to say).
Hoopz: First of all… why would she be worried about me. I mean whatever the fuck she says has nothing to do with me. If she has anything to say, she should just say it to my face. I mean who is she?! Who is New York? She’s a fucking prostitute! My boy showed me a video of her sucking his dude’s dick. So, who is New York? Fuck that bitch, she’s fake. Is she a man? I mean what the fuck is she?! If she comes to my face, then I’d have to do something.
RRR: Being a faithful Michigan resident and myself being a Buckeye – would the rivalry ever get in the way of us being a fruitful couple? Or would the aftermath make-up session be just that much sweeter?
Hoopz: I think it would be fun. It’d both be sweet. [Laughs] You’re retarded for that one, Kev.
RRR: What has been the grossest moment in your life?
Hoopz: Let me see. I don’t really know. For real, no, let me see… What’s a story that I could tell? You know what…? That stripper incident when New York was dancing on the show. [Laughs] The dumb bitch fell off of the stage. Oooh, let me stop… I don’t even want to have her think that she’s on my mind like that.
RRR: Millions of people can’t believe that anyone, especially you, could pucker up and kiss a New Jack City extra like Flava Flav. What there anything really about him that could make you try to find the prince within the frog?
Hoopz: First of all, people act like he’s the single most ugliest man on the planet. There are a lot of women out there who think Flav is a beautiful person, myself included. To me, having a personality is big, and he’s one of the biggest personalities that I’ve ever met. Of course, a lot of things went through my head before I kissed him, but it’s entertainment. I didn’t have to drug myself before I kissed him. I’ve dated fat guys, “ugly” ones, too. It’s cool just as long as he makes me happy. I like to look at nice things, don’t get me wrong. I do have standards. But doesn’t that make me a diva. It doesn’t make me superficial. All in all, when all the girls were standing there before the show started taping I thought, “What the fuck am I doing?” Not just because of him, but because of everything. It’s like when your boy sets you up with a blind date and you don’t know what to expect. That’s how it was when I was going through the initial taping of the show.
“Seven Questions with Cali”
September 21, 2006– September 21st, 2006 –
I recently did an interview with this lovely lady by the name of Charlene (aka Cali). She was a delight to speak to. Found out that we had a few things in common. Not only does she like some of the same music, she’s a big martial arts flicks fan. So, I had to put her onto Tony Jaa and a few of his movies (Ong-Bak and The Protector).
Her interview has yet to run at HipHopDX.com, but I did convince her to do “Seven Questions…”
So with no further ado, heeeeerrrrrrreeeeeeeeee’ssssss Cali!!!!
RRR: If you could do any other profession other than what you’re doing now, what would it be and why?
Cali: I always wanted to be a veterinarian when I was younger just because I have a deep love for animals. Then I realized that not all situations in that profession end in happiness! I would probably go into a severe depression if an animal died under my hands. Yikes!
RRR: Being a model leaves you to be the subject of hate and speculation wherever you go. What has been one time where someone overstepped their place and you went Naomi Campbell on ‘em?
Cali: Well… I don’t feel that I’m at a level of being recognized as a model in public so it’s very seldom that I receive hatred off the bat like that. Now, when people are told or find out that I do model… the worst that has happened so far are just snickers or rude looks and that’s more so with women. Now with men, the worst has been obscene calls or texts. It gets irritating but I ‘m pretty calm for the most part. I don’t go off on anyone really and when I try, I end up saying something silly so no one takes it serious anyway [laughs].
RRR: It just seemed to be a coincidence (unless you’re stalking me) that we both ended up in New York at the same time. Can you go into a little bit of what you’re doing and what are your thoughts about NYC, since you’re coming from California?
Cali: I was out there to visit friends for the most part. It was a highly anticipated visit. From the small dose that I was able to take in, NYC is a great place, very alive, good times shopping, and a lot of attractive men. Not better or worse but there’s still no place like home.
RRR: The “urban” modeling scene is different in comparison to those of mainstream pageants. The “picturesque” woman is a totally alternate vision as to what we like to see. But knowing that probably didn’t limit your goals of wanting to be a model on the pages of Vogue. Name one time where someone in the modeling biz tried to smash your aspirations and what do you believe you’ve done so far to prove the doubters wrong?
<>Cali: Of course, as a young kid that was all I saw, Vogue Magazine and supermodels were “the video chicks” of that time. I am well aware of my physique and where it will work in this business and where it will not. So, I never dared to step to a huge fashion modeling agency and that’s not what I wanted to do when I got into the biz. However… even doing the urban modeling thing, I have ran into a few people who have said I didn’t have what it takes to get into videos or magazines and that I should just resort to porn. No… I don’t find myself trying to prove those doubters wrong. I do what makes me happy and I do what I feel will benefit me and hopefully others in a positive light. Doubters will be there regardless so I try my best to not invest in them.
<>RRR: Albeit that you’re single, beauty still attracts. Adding to that that you are a model, people can see all that you’re working with through your pictures and whatnot. I’m sure the celebrity’s come knocking. Who, in the industry, has ever tried to get on with you and were they successful in doing so?
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Cali: I’m not really out there like that to be honest. But living in Los Angeles, you can’t help but to run into a few people. I won’t give names but there have been a few. Some were comedians and there were a few who are NBA players in the league. They weren’t super successful, it was mostly just handshakes and hugs.
<>RRR: In your “About Me” section on your MySpace, you say that you want to be an “inspiration” to others through your modeling. How do you plan on achieving that goal? Also, what trials and tribulations have you went through in order to inspire those who wish to follow in your footsteps to a better path?
<>Cali: I plan to do it by not being conformed to just bootie shots. I am an artist too, I love to draw and I have done modeling work on more of an artistic avenue. So I want to show people that having a range is great and it can work. I want people to know that bringing a little bit of your own “self” into your work can be just as attractive and even more so meaningful.
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RRR: A lot of things are happening out here in the world. Most of us, young black folks, aren’t being hip to what’s going on – choosing to look at BET and MTV for our news. Do you believe that such a lack of knowledge of what’s happening can cripple us, as a race? If you do, and since you want to be an inspiration to others, what could you do to help aware our younger generation to what’s good?
<>Cali: I agree with that and yes I do believe that it’s crippling us as a people. No matter the race. Since television is never going away, I feel that we need to make a better effort in using it as an educational tool. Try to make it work for our advantage. Play CNN in the class rooms, cafeterias, and the workplace. I think parents should reach for documentaries and books instead of rewarding kids with sneakers and video games. You just need enough to spark that conversation and maybe that will generate movement. What’s going on in the world is definitely not all positive but I feel that people need to be aware and grasp an understanding to why things are going on.
<>I feel that we as a people have settled a bit, consumed with the materialistic and unreal. We have become afraid of having our own opinion, debating and comfortable in thinking what we know is just enough. I myself try to get involved in promoting or doing events that are for foundations or causes I support. Using the internet as an aid, I sometimes post blogs or bulletins on topics I feel are important; from global to community issues, news, health and even well being. Outside of that, my family and I send money to the Philippines to help build homes for the poor. I plan on extending that to helping kids go to school… especially my relatives there. That’s how I hope to inspire. Since moving to the South, I hope to get involved in some volunteering as well.
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