New Mexico native Carmen Blanks (34-26-38) has way more to offer the game than just a big butt and a cute face. The 23-year-old former HOT 103 radio host is also a complex and versatile businesswoman with an intense career drive and passion to go along with her knockout looks.

Who are some of the fashion models in the industry that you respect and/or admire?

Tyra Banks, hands down. She's done it all from high fashion modeling to Victoria Secrets. She was the first African American model to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, She has her own talk show, and reality TV show to help other aspiring models pursue their dreams. Tyra Banks has opened the doors for other African American women and has evolved from a model into a mogul. You have to respect that.

Who are your favorite photographers?

My favorite photographer that I've worked with is Scott Hebert. He has an amazing vision and has creative ideas. We just had a blast during the photo shoot.

Who would you like to work with?

I'd love to work with Nick Saglimbeni, I'm a big fan of his work. his photos are always stunning and very captivating. He's mastered what it takes to create a great shot.

Who are your favorite recording artists past, present, and future?

There are too many, but that would take all day to list so I'd have to say Jay-Z for past and present. From the album, "Reasonable Doubt" up to now he continues to make real music, what hip hop is suppose to sound like. As far as the future, Drake definitely deserves the title, "The Next Big Thing". He hasn't even dropped his album yet and his mixtape alone is crazy.

What's the most rewarding part of being a model?

The most rewarding part of modeling is like being an actress, you get the chance to portray different roles. It just depends what the theme of the photo shoot is. That's the fun part.

What's the least rewarding?

The least rewarding part is all the stereotypes that come with being in the industry. Don't get me wrong; some of them do exist, but not all models are out there [having sex] to get a job. I'm a business woman first and I don't feel I have to do extra to get somewhere.

What's the strangest online comment or request you've received from an admirer?

I've had a few guys, asking if they could fly me to where they're at or ask to take me shopping, and  that's the very first thing they say to me before anything else and I always think, "What happened to introducing yourself first and getting to know me?" Material things don't matter to me. I want to know who you are.

What advice and/or tips would you give other young women interested in modeling?

Research and get educated on what the industry is about. Don't let people change you and try to mold you in what they want you to be. Be true to yourself. Don't get discouraged by all the competition, because they are so many other models pursuing the same thing. Stay focus on your game and always keep God first.

When do compliments about your looks and/or figure from male fans cross the line?

When the comments get too sexual, for example, when they say what they want to do to me, it weirds me out a lil bit [laughs].

When did you first realize you had what it took to be a professional model?

It was always something in the back of mind that I thought about, but I didn't get serious about it until my first year of college. People would ask me if I was a model and I would look at them and say "Who, me?" [Laughs]. Then one day I did a small photo shoot just for fun and I got a lot of great feedback so I decided to try it out.

Where have you been featured in the past?

I'm just now getting my name out there. In the past people could only hear me because I was an intern for HOT 103 hosting my own radio show. I'm new to the modeling world, so people are just now starting to discover who I am.

Where can we expect to see you in the future?

My next move is to take over all the newsstands. It's been my dream to grace the cover of a magazine.

Where do you want to see yourself professionally in the next three to five years?

Modeling doesn't last forever and there are a lot of things I'd like to venture in. After I graduate from college I would like to continue working in radio or host a television show. I'd also like to publish a poetry book. A lot of people don't know that I like to write poems. God has me on a journey and I want to be the best I can be in everything I pursue.

What would you say is your greatest physical attribute(s)?

I would say my lips and my smile, I have a really big smile. Oh yeah, and my butt [laughs] I love my curvy body I embrace it and do my best to maintain it.

What would other people say?

Other people have also complimented those physical attributes.

How do you maintain those physical attributes?

[Laughs] Honestly I eat whatever I want. I love to eat! I just try not to over do it. During my free time I go to the gym and I do a lot of cardio exercises and running to burn off the calories.

How do you feel about posing nude and/or other models that do?

If I can't show my family my photos then I won't do it. Whatever I do has to be tasteful. For other models who do it, I don't knock them for going nude. It's their body and if that's something they want to do, then go for it. Who am I to judge them?

How can people book you for modeling assignments?

You can contact me at my email address: carmenblanks@gmail.com. You can also visit, www.myspace.com/carmenblanks or www.modelmayhem.com/carmenblanks.

- By Bayer Mack