What has been your biggest fashion crime to date?
I’m from New Jersey, so everything I’ve done has been a fashion crime. Everything that’s been made fun of my whole life is now in style. My long acrylic nails that I’ve had since 1990 were made fun of; now everyone wants six-inch nails. I love being nerdy. But then again, nerdy is in style now. I’ve made more fashion mistakes than anyone I know, and I’ll continue to make them because I’m just me.
What book, movie or album do you always come back to and why?
Twilight and Showgirls. Showgirls for when I feel like laughing, it’s one of my favorite movies. But Twilight, the first one, there’s something special about that movie. I also love High School Musical. I’ll always watch it again and again.
What is the oldest thing you own? And why do you still own it?
Probably my vagina, because it’s attached to my body. But as far as material things go, I probably have makeup that’s 20 years old. And it hasn’t turned sour. My dermatologist told me not to use it, but I don’t listen to him. I definitely have perfumes that are 30 years old because they’re iconic and you can’t find them anymore. I also collect a lot of really old glasses from the ’40s and ’50s, that’s my personal passion. I’m a bit of a collector when it comes to fashion.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
My mother was not a woman who gave advice. She took the bull by the horns, was a mama bear and stood up for us when she had to. But I think the best advice she ever gave me, by the way, was to stand up for myself. And never be afraid to stand up for myself. My mother would not let me stay silent. Speak up for yourself and never be afraid to speak up for people who can’t speak up for themselves.
What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?
It’s so easy. Anyone who knows me knows that I’ve been obsessed with Sean Penn since I was a little girl, before Madonna, before she started dating him and married him. I loved Bad Boys, which was one of his first movies, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I was obsessed.
I was working for VH1 as a red carpet host in 1996. And Sean Penn was at the hotel where I was working for a premiere. So I went up to him and I said something like, “People tell me I look like the kid that you and Madonna would have had.” And he looked at me like, “Oh.”
They had broken up. I had a crush on him and I told him I looked like his daughter! Ugh! So I put my head down and walked away. It was one of those moments that will stay with me forever. The time I ruined everything with Sean Penn.
Do you believe in extraterrestrial life?
I think so. Without a doubt. I think it’s quite narcissistic of us to believe that we are the only ones on earth.
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What is your biggest beauty tip?
It may sound boring, but wearing sunscreen and getting eight hours of sleep a day is very important and people take it for granted. Sunscreen is your friend.
What is the ideal length for men’s shorts?
It depends on their legs. Most of the time they reach mid-thigh. Although I love high-waisted shorts.
Who would you like to see play your role in the biopic about your life?
Miley Cyrus. It depends on what age you’re talking about. I’m 20, I think Miley would be great. She would be pretty bold, she would embody me. I also think Julia Garner would be good.
If you had a sandwich named after you, what would it contain?
I’m coeliac, so I’d probably have some kind of gluten-free bread, which I know some people will instantly hate. And some kind of veggie concoction with cheese, pickles, lettuce and black beans. And dips! I love sandwiches with dip. I love mustard. I’d do an avocado mayo or some kind of chipotle dip. I like the heat! I also got hooked on chicken salt while I was in Australia. It’s really something.
Michelle Visage takes over as host on Hang out Race Down Under season 4 is set to air worldwide later this year