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At 17, she's the youngest, hottest veejay!
She's a teenager who simply can't stop talking, goes mad over donuts and doesn't like comparisons to Hansika Motwani. But she's already on national television and slated to be the next big thing. In a tete-a-tete with rediff.com, VJ Rhea discusses her career, her favourite things and pet peeves.
How did you become a veejay?
I participated in MTV's reality show called Teen Diva. After the show, they asked me to audition. The next week they called me to tell me that they'd liked what I did and asked me if I wanted to become a veejay. The next month, I was on national TV!
Which show do you host and what is it about?
I host Wassup and it's targetted at youngsters. I also appear on Gone in 60 seconds and Fantastic Five.
Seventeen and already a veejay! Do you plan to finish school?
Yeah! I am in my 12th grade and studying CBSE Science. I wanted to become an engineer, but this came up. I plan to give my board examinations and complete my graduation, if not my post-grad.
Er...and how are you planning to do that?
Probably through correspondence from Mumbai University.
So you always want to be a veejay?
No! In fact I never knew I did! It hadn't ever crossed my mind that I'd be a veejay. But here I am!
Okay, so why did you participate in Teen Diva in the first place?
I accompanied a friend who was giving her auditions in Ambala. I got selected and she didn't!
Meow! So the claws are coming out. What was the bitchiest thing you did while on Teen Diva?
I was just myself. I didn't pretend. So nothing really!
'Hansika Motwani is now just another actress in South Indian films'
Tell us something about your family background.
My dad is a surgeon with the Army, so I kind of grew up all over the place. Then there's my mom, who used to be a journalist and is currently pursuing her interests in art and my 13-year-old brother who is in school.
And what did you army dad have to say about your ambitions?
He's cool, always was. Both my parents wanted me to be happy. So they're both quite happy to know that I am happy.
Do you stay alone in Mumbai?
Nope! Mum's here with me to save me from the big bad world.
Have you heard of Hansika Motwani?
Yeah.
Really? So what do you know of her?
That she turned 18 some time ago, used to work in serials and now does films
She got her first Bollywood film when she was 16. Damn, she beat you to it, didn't she?
Er...she's no longer in the race! Now she's just another actress in South Indian films.
So what's the worst part of veejaying?
That there are times you have to pretend to be happy even when you're not. My doggie died recently and I was really sad. But I had to be all chirpy before the camera!
What do you say when people ask you Wassup?
Wassup is up!
'I like the idea of being isolated on an island'
With a career like yours, you have to be in top form all the time. How do you take care of your skin and hair?
I don't use a lot of make-up. Good skin, I guess, is in my genes.
Any fitness tips you'd like to share with readers?
I have a very high metabolism -- I don't go to the gym and eat a lot of chocolates, but still don't put on weight. But I do like playing basketball... not something I get to play very often these days.
Tell us about your most embarrassing at-work moment.
Oh there are so many of them. I often climb onto people's desks to make 'announcements' and once I just fell off one!
So the folks at MTV...do they rag you?
They try, but I give it back to them!
Quick facts:
Which is your favourite cuisine?
I love all kinds, but my favourite is Punjabi. Love Butter Chicken and naan! I also like seafood.
Your favourite drink?
Fresh lime soda.
And you're saying you've never got drunk...
Nope. Not 18 yet!
Right. So what's your favourite hangout?
Carter Road in Bandra, because there are so many restaurants and cafes there! And there's Mad Over Donuts -- my favourite place!
What kind of music do you enjoy?
I love hip-hop and I swear by Rihanna.
Which is your favourite movie of all time?
Castaway, because I like the idea of being isolated on an island.
'I can outtalk anyone'
Your favourite book is...
The Class by Erich Segal.
Your preferred travel destination?
Goa, because you get awesome seafood there, you can wear what you want, hit the beach and get a tan.
Makeup you can't live without?
Elizabeth Arden lip gloss.
Your biggest indulgence
Talking. I can outtalk anyone!
Your biggest challenge is...
Staying away from my brother. I've never really stayed away from him for such a long time. It's been two months since I saw him.
The defining moment when you realised you were famous?
When someone asked me if I was Rhea from MTV. I told them I was her twin!
Given a choice, veejay or Bollywood star?
Depends. I've just started out, so it's too early to say.
Your idea of a perfect day?
Wake up at lunchtime, bathe for two hours, have seafood for lunch, shop till I drop, return home, call friends and go for a film!
And your idea of a perfect date?
Dinner with a good-looking, rich man who is mad about me!
Your passion is...
Dancing! I am trained in classical dance but I love to do all kinds of different forms like hip-hop, jive and salsa.
Turn-offs in a man?
Hairy feet, bad breath.
Turn-ons?
Good smell, good looks, money and intelligence.
If you weren't a veejay, you would be...
A computer engineer.
If you were asked to bare for a shoot, would you?
That depends on how much I will have to bare.
You can't leave home without...
My perfume, Bongo.
What do you do in your spare time?
I never have spare time.
Tell us something about your future plans.
For now, it's just MTV. The rest depends on where life takes me.