Q&A: Tila Tequila

When you have over three million MySpace friends and you've starred on your own MTV reality show, what's left to achieve? For model, entertainer and singer Tila Tequila, it's writing a book (with journalist/novelist Sarah Tomlinson) that sums up the 26-year-old's philosophy of life. "Hooking Up with Tila Tequila" is not only packed with photos of the openly bisexual, Singapore-born, Texas-raised beauty, it offers juicy Hollywood gossip, tips on getting famous in the digital age, romantic advice, and many too-much-information moments.  

What sparked you to write Hooking Up with Tila Tequila?
Fans write me all the time either through my website, tilashotspot.com, or my MySpace page, and they're always asking questions like "Tila, I have this girlfriend-what do I do?" And, you know, all these questions about sex and making it in Hollywood. I try answering them all-it seems like its really important for my fans. I've also had lots real-life experiences in terms of what I've been through. So I thought, I can't sit here and respond personally to every question-let's put them in a book.

On page 3 is a list called "Top Ten Things You Didn't Know About Me." Item one: "I'm a squirter." Was anything at all off-limits for this book?
Not necessarily. The reason is I have to be honest with my fans-I've always been a very vocal, very open kind of person. I also give my fans little known facts about Tila and all about celebrity hookups, stuff like that.

You don't really name names, though.
But I do mention-actually, it's on the list of the things you didn't know about me-this person who I still think about every day, who I'd totally marry tomorrow if I could. I also talk about pop culture a lot-Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, J.Lo. I talk about how we give them lots of credit but how at the end of the day we see these incredible performers and we end up being total haters of them. "Haters" is the name of my second chapter-when fans bring you up and tear you down, you know? I even admit when J.Lo first came out, I was like, "J.Lo, please." I was a total hater. Now I admire her. I think she's amazing.

You also write about growing up in Texas-stealing cars, underage stripping...
Yeah. There are a lot of things people don't know about Tila. A lot. Lots of people don't know my real background or where I really come from. A lot of celebrities, they grew up in Hollywood, that's what they know. I grew up in Houston, so my life before Hollywood was different. That's what I think makes me relatable to my fans.

A Shot at Love was high drama-season one you chose a guy, second two you chose a girl. What was it like having all those people vying for your heart?
That show messed with my head. I love MTV-they're like my family to me. But I ended up in therapy for the first time in my life because of A Shot at Love, going on that whole emotional rollercoaster. People watched that show and they thought it was entertainment but it was a really difficult period for me. One thing I got out of it is that I realized I'm a really strong person to go through all that and still survive. When I first signed up for A Shot at Love, I was totally skeptical about a show about bisexuality. Then I thought, well, maybe this will help people understand what it's like. I had no control over what went on. Sure, it was fun sometimes, but it was so hard to be vulnerable and have people watching it.

What's next for Tila?
People better get ready for more Tila because I definitely have stuff coming out. I've got film projects, a TV project and my first full album. I'm thinking of calling it Tourette's.

Sounds friggin' awesome. Last question: you're Tila Tequila. Do you eat the worm?
Wow, that's a joke, right? Let's just say you can find out if you read my book.