Remote Controlled: Tucsonan competing for big prize on 'Model Latina'
By Gerald M. Gay
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.10.2008
Mishell Livio, a native Tucsonan and University High School graduate living in Southern California, has made it past the auditions and into the competition rounds of the SÃ TV reality series, "Model Latina."
Described by Livio in previously published interviews as " 'America's Next Top Model' meets 'The Apprentice,' " "Model Latina" pits hottie against hottie as they compete for a chance at, among other things, $10,000 and a modeling contract with Q Management.
Those of you with Comcast and the Dish Network will be able to check her out on the show every Sunday night until she is eliminated or wins.
The rest of us will have to suffer or at least be mildly annoyed that Cox has yet to add the network, geared toward English-speaking Latinos, to its lineup.
Livio spoke to the Star last week from California.
What do you miss most about Tucson?
"The tortillas. California does not have as good tortillas as they do in Arizona. They are amazing in Arizona."
How did you end up auditioning for "Model Latina"?
"I was looking up modeling opportunities and saw it on the Internet. I thought, 'I can't do that.' But then I saw it pop up again a month later, and thought, 'Sure, why not.' I could not get into the studio for the life of me when I arrived at the audition. I was contemplating leaving. I called my mom and said, 'I don't think I can do this.' She told me, 'Just stay. You'll be fine.'
"It is scary. You are going in a room where they are going to judge everything about you. How you walk, talk, dress, look."
I can imagine the competition was intimidating.
"Yeah. Especially because I didn't know how to dress for it. I was completely underdressed. They were in heels and makeup. I was in tennis shoes, jeans and a tank top. They were just like, 'Are you kidding. That is what you are wearing?' I told them, 'I want to be a blank canvas.' They used that line later in one of the episodes."
Are you a fan of these competition reality shows?
"I am. I watch 'America's Next Top Model' and I had tried out for 'American Idol.' I also love 'So You Think You Can Dance.' "
How does it feel to represent Arizona on national television? "It feels great. I have a lot of pride for Arizona. I grew up there. I spent most of my life there and I am who I am because of where I came from. I am the only one on the show from Arizona."
KVOA adds more Olympic coverage
KVOA has added more Olympic coverage to the 3,600 hours already promised by NBC Universal.
From Monday to Aug. 23, the local affiliate will air "The Olympic Zone" before the start of most of the prime-time Olympic events featured on the channel. It will be hosted by anchors Tom McNamara, Kristi Tedesco and sports director Ryan Recker.
The show will feature detailed coverage on the Olympic hopefuls with ties to Tucson.
"The Olympic Zone" will take place at 6:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through Aug. 22 and at 5 p.m. Aug. 23.
â— Contact reporter Gerald M. Gay at 573-4137 or ggay@azstarnet.com.
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