How does reality TV alter one's personal reality? That's the central question in our recent discussion with New York, whose current fame seems to know no bounds. Beating the odds with success that has surprised even its titular diva, I Love New York has emerged from the shadow of Flavor of Love as unmissable TV in its own right. It's rare that a spin-off can capture success comprable to the show that spawned it, but ILNY has. Combine that with the fact that at the center of such a popular show is a woman who flaunts her sexuality often and enthusiastically, as opposed to upholding archaic notions of "proper" female behavior. The ratings suggest that New York and her big, big love are being celebrated, not villified.

All of this makes I Love New York a creature that pop-culture has rarely seen before. It's something of a reality show unicorn. We talked to New York about all this, as well as her feelings on feminism and the buzz that she revealed ILNY's "winner" during her appearance last month on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Things, to use New York's own words at one point, "get steamy" after the jump...

Has your life changed at all since the show started?

There are so many ways that my life has changed. First of all, when I go places now, everybody recognizes me. I mean, everybody. From, like, little young white kids to elderly people. I had no idea that the show was this huge and I was so recognizable.

So, you see a difference between now and, say, Flavor of Love 2? You're more recognized now than you were, say, three months ago?

Oh, absolutely. I would say that I'm definitely in my "climax period." When Flavor of Love was still on, I was still able to go to, like, little corner bars and the mall, check out JC Penny. Now I can't do any of that stuff. I have to set up my day and make sure I have somebody with me in case people get crazy. They come out of everywhere now.

You have a bodyguard?

I do. I'm not going to give his name, 'cause that's my people. But he is strapped and he takes me to the mall, he takes me clubbing. It gets crazy, people tear at me. They're showing love, don't get me wrong, but they're ruining my makeup because they're trying to kiss on me and pull on my clothes.

Is that annoying, or are you enjoying it?

Everybody has their days. Some days I just want to be incognito, not get recognized and get in the grocery store and get out. There's no more of that. I think I enjoy it for the most part, though.

You said people have been showing you love. Is it all love? Have you ever had a negative run-in?

I can't say I've really had a negative run-in, but some people are very vocal. It's mostly women. They'll say something like, "I couldn't stand you at first, you're such a bitch. But now, I kinda like you." That's pretty cool, it's like a love/hate thing.

Did you predict that I Love New York would be as popular as it is? Were you worried at all before the premiere?

I'm not one of those people that takes myself too seriously. I like to have fun and enjoy my life. But being that this was going to be a televised event, a show, I did have a few jitters. I didn't know what it was going to do, I didn't know if it was going to be good or bad. I didn't know if people were going to watch it because they hated me so much. There was a little bit of hesitation. But for the most part, I hoped and prayed that it was going to be popular, and it was.

Do you watch the show?

I do catch the show when I can. Usually, I like to watch it toward the weekend because that's my wind-down time.

Do you ever read what's written about you?

When I have time. Usually, I have friends that do that for me. They'll read things or they'll send me comments like, "Oh, this is your biggest fan," or "Oh, this is your biggest hater." I just laugh at it all. Me, I'm never the type to sit at the computer and read things about myself. I don't have time for that! I could be changing my nail color or something!

I ask because I wonder if you're aware of the review that The New York Times ran a few weeks ago?

No, I don't know nothing about that.

It was really impressive – they only had nice things to say about the show, you and your mother.

(Laughs) Are you serious? That's big time. Now I'm going to go and try to find that article.

I wrote down some quotes from the article. It says that you have "unexpected insights."

Absolutely true.

It also says you obviously aim for originality in your speech.

(Laughs) I just go for it, I just talk. I'm the type of person that talks before I fully think. So they're probably right about that, too.

The Times also says, "Men hardly register with her unless they talk crudely , laugh loudly, make bold gestures and get drunk." Keep in mind this was written mostly in response to the first episode   .

Oh my goodness. That's not true! I like quiet guys, sometimes. But yeah, for the most part, I do like a man that likes to have fun. Drink a lot, smoke, run around the town. Let's go clubbing, let's have fun! But I like the quiet, Bill Gates-type of guys, too...in the beginning of the week.

Bill Gates specifically?

He's hot! He's rich. S***.

Here's one last quote from the Times: "When she appears without make-up, she looks at once wise and vulnerable."

(Laughs) Oh boy. "Vulnerable," probably not. "Wise," definitely, at all times. I like to say that I know I'm fabulous with or without makeup. But yes, putting on makeup to me is like putting on my shoes. That's something that has to happen before you step outside. I like to put on makeup because I like to put it on. It's not that I need it, but it's just fun to apply makeup. I love it and I'm going to do it till the day I die. When I'm 99, I'm going to be caked with makeup.

I believe it! One of my favorite weekly features of the show is the New York-through-the-mirror shot of you putting on your face.

Well, that's me on a daily basis. I love to look in the mirror. The mirror is one of my best friends. If the mirror had a MySpace, he would be part of my Top 8, OK? I just love to stand in front of the mirror, look at myself and just thank God for making me so beautiful and fabulous and wonderful. I just love to celebrate it.

Shifting gears a little, I want to talk about the way you portray your sexuality. You seem to be really free with it. Is this a fair assessment?

I consider myself a sexually free person to a certain extent. I do appear to have a lot of fun, I do appear to be kissing a lot of guys, but safety is first. I don't have all these sex partners, sexual escapades – that's just not me. I'm a big flirt, I think that's a good way to put it. I like to flirt and touch and grab. But the actual act of sex is something that doesn't happen unless I'm in love with the person.

I mention this because women are often vilified for being sexually open. Other shows' ratings have suggested that people don't want to see a woman with many potential partners on TV. But you're getting away with it.

Yes, and I think that's because, like the quote from The New York Times says, I'm wise. I take risks, but I'm safe. And like I said, I'm not sleeping with all of these guys. I don't want to reveal if I slept around or not, but…we'll leave that alone. I think I'm the only woman capable of pulling this off right now on TV. I'm not going to take any crap, but at the same time, you can see me humping up at a guy and then later on in the show, you can see me crying. I'm just able emotionally to do this. I also feel that the show is successful because of the team players. Guys at home can relate to the guys in the house. I don't think I'm someone anyone can relate to, so to watch me in action might be sort of entertaining, if you will. Now a lot of men stop me and they want a chance with me. They're like, "What about me? Why don't I get a shot? Will there be a Season 2?" And I think it's because the guys on the show are your everyday, average guys.

Plus, it's evident that you really enjoy the company of men.

Yes. Most of my friends, if not all, are guys. I hang out with a lot of men. I'm not sleeping with them, but I do enjoy their company. Guys are not catty. Guys don't get jealous of me. They like to take me out and flaunt me around and I love it.

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

I'm definitely a feminist, but I have way too many male friends to be a male-basher. I feel that a woman can do and be anything that she wants to be in society if she believes in herself. But I'm not the Rosie O'Donnell type. You won't find me bashing guys.

It seems like everywhere you go, you're the H.B.I.C. Did it feel different, maybe more empowering, to be in charge of a house full of guys versus a house full of women?

It was definitely empowering and sometimes I had to catch myself because I was just being really ridiculous and rude to these guys. I had to think, "Wait a minute, check this out. I'm looking for love. I'm running a competition, I can show them my softer side." I had a little bit of an issue with that at first, because I don't like to come off vulnerable. I'm not a vulnerable person. I had to basically sit down with myself and say, "Hey, it's OK to be softer." Because I was calling those guys all types of names. A lot of them were my "bitches." I was telling them to "get the hell out of my face!" And really, you can't do that.

At this point in the competition, four episodes in, who was the hardest to send home so far?

There were a couple of guys that were hard to send away. Bonez was kind of tough. I felt bad for Romance . That was kind of tough, but I had to do that because he was a little crazy. He was nuts, he had to leave.

There was an Internet rumor regarding your appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in January. Supposedly, you threw up Tango's hand sign at the end as a way to signify that he was your ultimate choice at the end of the show. Is that what you were doing?

(Laughs) How crazy and deranged would I have to be to give my quote-unquote winner away before the show could even really hit the air? That would be really stupid of me. So, no. Tango and I were friends. The show is edited a lot, so you didn't see this, but we used to do that all the time to each other. I used to throw up his sign, that was our little wave. But I would be stupid and crazy to give the winner away so early on. The show has already wrapped, but a lot of the guys and I go back and forth. They have my number, I have theirs. They call me and stuff like that. So that was me just saying, "What's up?" to one of my friends, basically.

Someone asked in the comments section on the blog about your father. Why isn't he a bigger part of the show, when your mom is so essential to it?

To be frank, my dad is a softie. He wouldn't have given me any insight. He would have been like, "Go for it, hon! Whoever you think is the right one, that's who I'm liking for you." He probably would have even be scared to come to me and say, "Hey, you're liking this guy, but I don't think he's the right one." I didn't need that, I needed some help, so who better than my mom? I knew she wasn't going to hold back.

It's been great talking to you. I really do find it amazing that you can get away with what you get away with – I mean, even in the blog comments, when people hate, they tend to focus on other stuff. They don't usually call you a "hoe" or anything.

Well, hey, definitely not a hoe, always a woman. But make no mistake about it, I do not apologize for having too many wonderful men in my presence or sleeping in my house with me. I get what I want from who I want it from.

Comments

[Vanessa Maldonado]

What's up newyork I think u r great
I am your biggest fan. from day 1 i said u were going to make it to the end
I was so surprisd when flav did not pick u i was actually a little sad that he didn't u remind me of myself i tell it the way it is i have no hair on my toung. i do believe u r crazy as am i but i truly believed that u loved flav and he ends up picking fake ass bitches like hoops that right after the show left him. don't worry girl he knows he made the biggest mistake of his life. any way keep your head up and pick that fine ass "chance" or his brother real because they are both the realest men u got there but a word of caution tell chance not to drink so much because he gets in trouble and it makes your mom hate him. right now at this point in the game your mother should love who would be your husband and her son in law. with love xoxoxoxoxoxo

[REAL ONE]

that bitch is fake...she dont love no one , she does'nt even love her self. she's just looking to get rich weather it be a man or a show....we/myself can do the same thing...Actually i'm more outspoken and more beautiful and if i were to look for my (soul-mate) or even a relationship, money would not matter,building together and maintaining our love would be the foundition not a show and a quick way to get rich. newyork only wants an easy way to be rich and famous and her mother is doing the same . their trying to be the black american idol of relationship when actually they need doctor phil instead of a show....there are many women who would be better, more beautiful and raise the ratings of any network being who they are instead of being fake....if she's a feminist than she would have told vh-1 that she needs no show to get a man...she's content whith who she is..and look at flavor of love...flavor is ulgy as hell , all those women wanted to be with him for there own reasons and it was not love...newyork just happen to be the most ignorante and getto nasty women and she stood out cause of that...and vh-1 thought people would want to see that when really only the ignorante people in the getto of america would actually watch it..i m 200% sure that she does nt have a healthy or happy relationship after the show ends.... i put money on that....its all about money and she's a bad influance on americans..shes just another whore trying to make it big in hollywood baby.....please let her read this....she can call me...ill say the same....it will be like shes looking in the mirror when i tell her this...

[kiki]

Hey gur i just wanted to let u know dat i love yo show and your personality is just like mine we dont play we tell it as ut is and we dont take no shit from nobody and we are PRINCESSS lol

love always biggest fan write back
dis yo gurl kiki
kiona patterson

[HELI]

HEY NEW YORK MAN HOW I LOVE THAT BITCH SHE IS SO
STRAIGHT UP SHE AINT FAKE PEOPLE WHO THINK SHE IS A FAKE CAN KISS HER ASS FOR ALL SHE CARES BESIDES WHY DISS ON HER BECAUSE SHE A BITCHES JUST HATING ASS BITCHES WHAT WOULD YOU DO MUM.. RIGHT LES SEE WHAT U DO THEN WE CAN TALK SHIT ABOUT U !!! BACK TO THE WONDERFUL BEAUTIFUL NEW YORK IN FLAVOR YOU WERE THE SHIT AND EVERYBODY NEW IT YOUR SO HOT YOUR JUST A BADASS CHIC GOT LOVE FOR U .

[VAL]

I only want 2 say that "REAL" is TOOOOOOOO Sexy!!!! I wouldn't mind braidin' that lusious hair....if U know what I mean. Anyway...."REAL," let me know if NY doesn't choose U. I will be willin' and waitin' 2 meet and greet U with open arms!!!!!!!!!!!!

[twhit10]

You would really consider dating Real? Everything about him is fake from his teeth to his hair. Check his picture out before he had the dental work.

http://www.instantweb.com/p/parsa/cosmetic_dentistry/gummy_smile_2.html

[new-new]

Hey new york whats the deal? I personally think you are the shit. Don't worry about these hatas out there let them do their job (hate). Matter of fact try and find you some more hatas you need about 40 more before the year is over. All i have to say is do you and choose who ever is going to make you happy. And always remember you are the H.B.I.C (lol). Thats why we are alike because just like you i am the H.B.I.C,too!

Remember keep ya head up!

[patricia fulton]

new york needs to be with the older brother of chances hes the best one for her email me back

[antionette]

personally new york i believe that u r fake but i like how u try to pull it off by callin yourself the H.B.I.C. when really your the B.B.B.(BAD BREATH BITCH). gurl sit down u don't deserve some of those men. u should hook up wit 12 pack cuz he's gay and acts like a female and u look like a man with a $16.50 cents weave(fake shit) if u really want ur hair did right buy that $800 dollars extensions bitch u might look right 4 a day or 2.any way CHANCE baby Leave the trashy and come 2 the CLASSY.I guarranttee u I got what u need trust!!!!!!!!!!New York can satisfy u in one way and that's opening her big mouth and choke sumthing down her throat.(BIG MOUTH ASS BITCH) u heard me.

[antionette]

HEY NEWYORK I BET U CAN'T SWALLOW JUST ONE AHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!BIAAAAAAAAAAACH.seriously u can't.(hey newyork i dump my boyfriend cuz he's something like u so u 2 hook up cuz he told me that from now he's looking 4 block heads)

[Donell]

New York I love u and your sho um sayin u kno i might be the one ya feelin 4 get flav take a young 6'3 nicca

[lametria bannerman]

what's up new york i just love watching your tv show it is so interesting to me.what i want to now from flav is why would he bring you back to break your heart once again.but anyway,i thank you should pick real,chance,12pack,rico,or tango.they all seem like they would do you good. if you say u like a thug then pick tango, rico or chance. if you like romance then pick real,or rico.

[lametria bannerman]

what's up new york i just love watching your tv show it is so interesting to me.what i want to now from flav is why would he bring you back to break your heart once again.but anyway,i thank you should pick real,chance,12pack,rico,or tango.they all seem like they would do you good. if you say u like a thug then pick tango, rico or chance. if you like romance then pick real,or rico.

[lametria bannerman]

what's up new york i just love watching your tv show it is so interesting to me.what i want to now from flav is why would he bring you back to break your heart once again.but anyway,i thank you should pick real,chance,12pack,rico,or tango.they all seem like they would do you good. if you say u like a thug then pick tango, rico or chance. if you like romance then pick real,or rico.

[Jack]

WOW! New York looks like a damn gorilla! Where did Vh1 find her at? In a damn forrest? Does she actually think these guys love her? Give me a freaking break now.....

[reesha]

Newyork i love you so much a lot of people say that they cant stand you r dont like you but there haters oh well do your thang mommy,i wish that i was able to chill with you for a week. But i think u should chill with real or either his brother chance.

[Caramel]

Hey NY YOUR SHOW IS THE BOMB, YOU ARE DEFINITELY THE H.B.I.C .DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE HATERS THOSE BITCHES ARE WISHING IT WAS THEM.KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!

[eloise]

you skant, dont touch my man 12pack or your going to get bet up and dragged up a down the steps,you say indian hair

[eloise]

you skant, dont touch my man 12pack or your going to get bet up and dragged up a down the steps,you say indian hair

[eloise]

you skant, dont touch my man 12pack or your going to get bet up and dragged up a down the steps,you say indian hair

[eloise]

you skant, dont touch my man 12pack or your going to get bet up and dragged up a down the steps,you say indian hair

[dont need to know]

Some of you guys are jealous or hating on New York, because she has her own show and having fun while yall broke. I cant stand people who hate on other people just because they doing big things, how about you get your own show and human hair weave and drive a $75,000 BMW, nope, didnt think so. Oh and if you do so then maybe you wouldnt be hating on no body anymore because you have what you couldnt afford....

[mona]

I think that New York is a fake as chick,and real women don't have sex with lil sucker like flav and don't get picked twice. She played herself by trying the oldest trick in the book the booty game and she got played. Her mother is crazy as she is and that man that was supposed to be the father was a actor or he is the most miserable man on the plant if I had a wife like that I would commit suicide quickly! And his daughter is a hoe and has those huge fake ass tits she looks like she is going to fall over is she stops and relaxes for any moment. I bet that something happens that she is going to need antoher season to find a man that won't kill that crazy ass BITCH.Now the flavor of love she fucked with everybody but her real side showed she is a punk bitch because she would mess with the lil white girl but she wouldn't run up on any of the real sisters in the house, she would have got that ass stomped out.Delious backed that ass up in the corner with that hot curler and that bitch didn't want to see her at all, and to say something about her mother her mother looks like a witch with that fucked up weave and her father acts like a weak ass lil boy.I'm not a fan of you I don't like you you bitch, you just acted such a fool and got clowned so much that they felt sorry for your ass you will never find a man you gold digging BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vanilla]

all yall who is saying that new york looks good and that the show was great yall lying cause yall know the bitch is ugly and trashy please give me a break ok i know i am not hating on that and i do not give a dam what amount of money the ho is getting all i know i look way better and please believe me ok . oh by the way new york looks like a dam kangoroo and a dam ant eater that bitch.

[jennie]

new york is a crazyyyyyyy biotch but at least its entertaining to watch