As most of you know,
Java's Bachelor Pad recently held its first ever Cheesecake
Contest. (Check out the Cheesecake
Yahoo Group for the full story.) So many great looking gals entered,
but only one could walk away as the Cheesecake Queen. That gal was the
lovely
Carol Chaparro. Here now is an exclusive interview
with our pin-up queen.
* * * * *
Java's Bachelor Pad: How do you feel about being named the first
Java's Bachelor Pad Cheesecake Queen?
Carol Chaparro: Wonderful. Honored. And completely
surprised!
JBP: What are your measurements? Are you single? Are you free
Saturday night?
CC: 38 - 30 - 37. I know, I'm a big girl!
And I am 5'9". I do have a boyfriend. But as a matter of fact, tonight
is the first Saturday night in weeks I've been free! Whadja have
in mind? ;)
JBP: You told me you almost dropped out of the competition. Why
in the world you do that?
CC: I only entered the contest on a whim, and when I saw all
the other gorgeous women entering as well, I thought I only had a snowball's
chance in hell of winning so why bother? But my friends, some of
the site members, and Mr. Java himself, convinced me to stay in, so I did.
And I'm glad I did!
JBP: How do you think all the other contestants stacked up?
CC: I thought every last one of the other ladies who entered
were incredibly beautiful, and trust me, I felt totally inferior!!
JBP: You have a very "Bettie" style. Is she a big influence?
Are you influenced by anyone else?
CC: I get compared to her a lot, because of the black-hair-and-bangs
look we both have, but I think that's where the similarities end.
Bettie was so much prettier than I am. She had beautiful blue eyes
and more delicate features than I do, and was smaller. But I am so
flattered whenever anyone compares me to her! I love looking at pictures
of 40's pin-ups and often find myself emulating their style as well.
JBP: Do you maintain you retro look day-to-day? What would
someone say about you if they saw you walking down the street?
CC: I pretty much have my own dorky style when I'm not doing
photos like these, which is sort of a combination of punk/skater/rockabilly/surfer
chick, depending on what mood I'm in. At work I have to be very Brooks
Brothers business-like (I work for the government, yuck!), but occasionally
I'll sneak in a vintage dress here and there! I mostly get compliments
on my style, but like everyone else, I do encounter mixed reviews once
in a while.
JBP: How long have you been modeling? How did you get started?
CC: I started modeling just for fun when I was around 19,
and took a LONG break in between, but recently started up again within
the last year or so. I got started when I worked in an office building
that had a modeling agency as a tenant, and got asked by the owner of the
agency one day when he saw me walking down the hall if I'd be interested
in taking some test shots.
JBP: Are you mostly a retro pin-up kind of gal, or do you do
other styles?
CC: Recently, this is the only style I've done, but I wouldn't
be adverse to doing some fetish-type stuff.
JBP: What is it about the retro style that attracted you to it?
CC: There's a certain timelessness to that style, and even
as a little girl I was always fascinated with the 1940's/WWII era and its
styles. Plus, as a woman with curves, I think the retro style really
compliments my body type. The only thing is, finding authentic vintage
is sometimes a problem for me -- boy those ladies back then were small!!
JBP: Many people say that pin-ups objectify women. What are your
feelings on that?
CC: I can understand why some people say that, but I think
this particular style of pin-up (retro) tends to celebrate women, rather
than objectify them. What woman doesn't like to look beautiful, or
told that she is beautiful? I can't speak for other models, but I
like doing these sorts of photos because they are sexy but tasteful, and
they make me feel beautiful. But I do want to add: outer beauty is
fleeting; inner beauty is really what matters, and is something I try to
work on every day.
JBP: How has your life changed since being named JBP's Cheesecake
Queen? Do you feel any different about the pin-up work you do?
CC: Well, needless to say this has been a HUGE boost to my
ego! As far as feeling any different about my pin-up work, I think
it has added a little more confidence. I had a shoot yesterday, and
I felt less self-conscious than I normally would, and I think winning had
a little to do with it!
