Controversy, Feb. 2002 -- Brooke Burke: Wild Child
By Cliff Ford

From Hollywood to Morocco, the radiant and dynamic Brooke Burke is garnering fans the world over.

It appears as if television-viewers and women-watchers can't get enough of Brooke Burke, the vivacious, gorgeous and globe-trotting host of E! Entertainment Television's highly-rated travel series, Wild On. Gearing up for its third season, Wild On transports viewers to some of the hottest, most exotic places around the world, showcasing popular travel destinations, wild parties, the best beaches and most unique and secluded locales --- including Sardinia, Morocco, the Mayan Riviera, Belize and Aruba.

The second highest-rated show on the cable network, Wild On has exposed Burke (and her baby daughter) to a variety of cultures, people, food and personal challenges. For instance, her first assignment for the show was in Spain to participate in La Tomatina --- the tomato war.
"It's the world's largest food fight you can imagine," she recalls with a laugh, "with forty thousand drunken Spaniards and one hundred and twenty tons of tomatoes."
For those TV junkies desperate for more than a single-night fix of Brooke, E! has jumped on the Burke popularity bandwagon by giving her another show to host, Rank, an exciting and informative news show that covers everything that's hip, hot and cool in movies, television and pop culture.

But, Burke is not only the new reigning queen of the airwaves, with her emerging popularity and fan base, she's now began to dominate cyberspace and has cornered the lucrative personality calendar market. In addition to garnering the largest number of hits on E! Online, she was recently selected as one of three women in the world to be photographed for a 2002 At A Glance Calendar.

In an effort to give her fans more, Brooke has just released her own private edition calendar for 2002 (available at www.BrookeBurke.com), which was shot on locations around the world and includes never-before-seen images from her favorite photo shoots throughout 2001.

I just heard you're going to be a mom, congratulations! Is this your first?
"No, I already have one, so I know how it all works, I have one in diapers and another one on the way."

So, now that you're preggie again, do you still feel like a sex symbol?
"Not really, but I never felt like I did before I got pregnant. It's not something I try and think about. It's just a label that other people come up with. I try not to take it too seriously."

But, you are really hot property right now. Your career is skyrocketing and there is such a buzz about surrounding you. How do you feel about all of it?
"I feel really fortunate, because people are really excited about all of my talents. It's been an amazing two years for me, starting as a model to having my own shows on television. I think I'm more excited than everyone else is." (laughs)

You seem to have a great time hosting your television show Wild On.
"Oh, I absolutely love it. It's an incredible experience. It's one of those kind of things that come along once in a lifetime and I'm glad I'm grabbed it."

Is there one episode of Wild On that really stands out for you as the most exciting or even the strangest?
"They are all really exciting, but I think the most memorable for me was the one we did in Morocco, because it was a real culture shock for me. Also, it was a very difficult shot, because you don't have all the luxuries that you are used to in the States. But, I especially liked it because we started to show more of the culture of the country and all the different aspects of traveling to get there. It's not only entertaining but educational, too."

A lot of female celebrities I have spoken to have said they saw modeling as merely a stepping stone to bigger and better things --- like television and movies --- and they really didn't enjoy having to do it. Do you feel the same way?
"It was never my plan to start with modeling and then move on. I really enjoyed modeling. I mean, I even liked doing catalog work. I mean, I became a model almost by accident. A friend of mine told me about audition she was going to and asked me if I'd go with her. I did, and they wanted me to model, so I decided to give it a try. The next thing you know, I was off to New York and Paris --- seeing the world as I imagined it to be. But, the transition from one medium to another can be hard. I think it's a little difficult to go from model to model/actress. There's this perception that you are only a model because you are pretty, not because you're talented. So, to work as a performer or actress, it just means you have to work a lot harder to have people take you seriously. Honestly, though, it was never my plan to use modeling simply as a way to get my foot in the door."

Have you always felt comfortable with your own body?
"Oh, yeah, I always have."

What's in the future for you? What goals are left for you?
"There's just a few. The main one is to be the best that I can be at whatever it is I'm doing --- whether it's on TV, on a calendar or in a magazine interview. I just want to keep my fans happy, because they have been so great to me. They are the ones I want to be proud of me. On a personal level, I want to be the best mom and wife I can be. I know that doesn't sound very sexy or juicy, but I told you I'm moral and well-grounded. It sounds boring, but I'm having the time of my life."

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