I spoke with Cerina briefly about her career and what we can expect next from her.

Jonathan Stryker: Tell us about your life as a child in Las Vegas. You've been dancing since you were three years-old.

Cerina Vincent: My mom was a dancing teacher. We had a studio in the back of our house, so I used to go out there and sing and dance, and make up little skits. Las Vegas was a great place to grow up. The school system was terrific; it's a lot more normal than you think.

JS: Did you watch a lot of entertainment when you were younger?

CV: My parents were not big on letting us watch TV when I was a kid. My father used to make us do a lot of push-ups whenever we wanted to watch TV or play video games. (laughs) We were very active. I didn't go to the movies that much, but there were certain films that I watched over and over like the Indiana Jones movies and THE PRINCESS BRIDE. I loved Robin Wright Penn in that, I thought she was amazing. I loved "Saved by the Bell". I wanted to be Kelly Kapowski (played by Tiffani Thiessen). Things like that. I was always a performer and I always enjoyed doing theater, which I have done since I was twelve, you know, singing, dancing, and acting. Even big theater ensemble.

JS: Are you partial to the horror genre?

CV: I wouldn't say that I'm partial to it. Obviously, it's a big part of my life. I've done CABIN FEVER, MURDER-SET-PIECES, and IT WAITS. I enjoy the work and all that comes with it, but obviously I do a lot of other types of films, too, such as comedy and drama. Horror really requires a lot of physical activity, and since I keep myself fit, I'm a good fit for that genre.

JS: Have you seen any horror films that stood out for you?

CV: To be honest, I was such a chicken growing up that I wasn't really into to them until I began working in them. I don't like the spiritual stuff, the films about devil-worshipping, and that kind of stuff.

JS: You're known for having an exceptional physique and for being very athletic. Is working out something that you began recently or have you always been diligent about it?

CV: I've been very physically active since I was a kid, and this aided me in my film work and gave me the ability to do some of my own stunts. My dance background has helped very much, and you know, my parents encouraged me to play many sports as a kid. A lot of the films that I do require running through the woods, so there is a lot of strenuous physical activity that I put myself through. It may only last a few moments onscreen, but after many takes it can get you winded. I think that everyone should keep themselves in shape for health reasons. I'm really big on fitness. IT WAITS was rough because it's pretty much just me in the film, and that was me, in the rain and in the forest for a month as we shot.

JS: CABIN FEVER has developed a cult following. How did you get that role?

CV: Eli (Roth) saw me on the Internet in a WireImage photo when I was doing publicity for NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE. He called me, I auditioned and sent in a video of myself to North Carolina. I was out there a week later and we began shooting.

JS: How did you come to work with David Lynch on the short film DARKENED ROOM?

CV: I met David through Eli, and he liked Jordan (Ladd) and I. He decided that he wanted to do a little piece with us. It was an honor to work with him. He's an amazing director. When I got the script I really had no idea what it meant.

JS: Did David Lynch know what it meant?

CV: I think he did! I think he's just so brilliant that it's hard for him to even explain himself. But, he's very specific with his direction.

JS: Which of his films do you like?

CV: I am a big TWIN PEAKS fan. I loved MULHOLLAND DRIVE. I really thought that was great. And BLUE VELVET of course. ERASERHEAD, too.

JS: What are you working on currently?

CV: I have two books out, "How to Eat Like a Hot Chick: Eat What You Love, Love How You Feel" and "How To Love Like a Hot Chick: The Girlfriend to Girlfriend Guide to Getting the Love You Deserve", and my latest film is CHASING HAPPINESS with Elisa Donovan from CLUELESS and that should be out this year. And I just finished COMPLACENT also with Elisa Donovan and Adrienne Barbeau which is also due out this year.

JS: Any upcoming horror?

CV: Not at the moment, but if anyone needs someone to run though the woods, call me!