If the definition of "the perfect date" was to take classy models to fast food restaurants, then that makes me the Don Juan of dating.
Actually, the model interview luncheons don't necessarily count as dates, instead, they're more a meeting than anything else. And I thought the time I took Alley Baggett to a lunch-is-on-me at McDonald's made me look pathetic; that day does not top my lunch meeting with this month's Tuner hottie, Tammy Simone. How does Del Taco 25-cent tacos sound?
We were in luck; at the time of this month's cover shoot, the Del Taco down the street had a special on tacos. We sat down to grub on our tacos (my bad, I ate 10 tacos and she ate one) and we rapped about one main topic that she seems to have figured out pretty well: men.
2NR: So what's the deal with you not liking guys with dirty tennis shoes?TS: Gross, I hate that! For me that is a big time turn off. It's one thing if you have a job that will get your shoes dirty, but don't be out thinking you're all sharp, yet your shoes are all dirty. I'm talking about a bar or a club where you usually make an effort to look good, but instead, you wear dirty tennis shoes.
2NR: So I take it you're into the club and bar thing? TS: I'm retired from that now. I have a man and besides, I think clubs and bars are the wrong places to meet boyfriends. These types of places are for kickin' it with your friends-not to find the love of your life. I've never met a guy at a club that I could say "I love you" to.
2NR: Judging by the size of that rock on your finger, you're either married or engaged to rock star. Did that guy have to take on a second job to buy you that ring? TS: I'm engaged.
2NR: To a rock star?TS: Have you ever heard of (famous singer that would make your jaw drop)?
2NR: You're engaged to (famous person we don't want to mention)? That explains why that diamond is so big. So how long have you guys been going out? TS: Well, we've been together for about a year, but we got engaged six months after we got together.
2NR: He must have made a strong impression on you to get engaged so fast. After you found a stable relationship, what do you think it takes to make it work? TS: Here's what I think. If your man is good to you, then appreciate him for that. Appreciate that he has trust in you. Don't put him down and push him away or accuse him of doing wrong. Also the words, "I love you" are really strong words. If you really mean it you should be willing to do everything you can to say it.
You can date someone but not really love him or her or say you can care for them. It's funny 'cause in high school, you're young and you always think you're in love, but as you get older you realize the true meaning of the words "I love you." Sometimes you can just feel it and with my man, I feel that he truly loves me and something like that is hard to find. I can completely trust him and we respect each other.
2NR: It seems you got this love thing figured out. So, what you have learned about men?TS: If you treat them badly, they're going to act bad. I've noticed it's all about the way you talk to them. Let's say I wanted a glass of water and I asked him really sweet and nice (she has her sweet voice on), "Baby would you please get me a drink?" he would gladly get me a drink. But if I were to ask like, "GET ME A DRINK!" then of course, he's gonna either be angry when he's getting it or he's gonna sit there and argue about the way I asked him.
I just feel that the way you talk to people makes a big difference; communication is key.
2NR: Since your man is well known, how are you handling the media and fans?TS: Everyone will stereotype him, but I feel you have to not let people's opinions get involved in your relationship. They don't know what we do when we're alone and people will just instantly say, "Oh, she's just going out with him 'cause he's a rapper." How would they know? People often instantly assume without observing our relationship.
I believe in working on the relationships that you have. If you are in a relationship, you should think about the minute you decide to call someone else to spend time with him or her and you don't let your boyfriend/girlfriend know. I also think people shouldn't let others know about what's going down with their relationship. For me, that's for my man and me to figure out, not for others.
2NR: How did you get into modeling?TS: I didn't start until after high school. My best friend said she wanted to send some pictures of me to three agencies to see if I could get any jobs. I was like, cool 'cause I really wanted to get into modeling. A little later, two of the agencies called back and I signed with them. You know, your Febuary 2001 issue of Tuner had my friend Denise on it and she was the one that brought me to the agency she uses. I told her that I was going to be on the same cover that she was on; she told me a little about the interview, so I was kind of prepared.
Over the years, many Tuner models have became close friends. Models like Rowena Galam and Natasha Yi have became the best of friends, while Jasmin Alejandrino and Veronica Becerra have kept in touch over the years. That's sort of what this scene is all about-meetin' people and stayin' connected.