(Photos by John Russo and Baratti Photo, courtesy of Shandrew PR)

Allison McCurdy is a Texas model and actress who got her start as one of the legendary Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, appeared in the movie Bruce Almighty and now stars in the horror film Revamped.

“I play Janet Clark, the wife of the lead actor. My character is a cheating gold-digger,” Allison said. “My boyfriend with whom I’m having my affair is played by Kato Kaelin. I also have a funeral scene with actor Carel Struycken (Lurch from The Addams Family) and character actor James Karen, who played the real estate guy from Poltergeist.”

The movie also stars horror icon and Playboy cover girl Christa Campbell, but she and Allison did not get to do any scenes together.

Allison is probably best known for posing for more than 50 pin-up calendars and gracing over a dozen covers.

“I have shot swimsuit calendars, lingerie calendars, calendars with motorcycles, airplanes, cars, and even tools,” she said.

Savvy talked to this appealing new Hollywood star…

Savvy: What was it like auditioning for and becoming a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader? We understand the pay is low but it can be a springboard for bigger things. Was that your experience?

Allison: Auditioning for the Cowboys was pretty much a month-long process. After making it past the first two auditions, you then have an interview with the director, write an essay on several current events, are tested on football and current events, then must perform your own two-minute talent as well as a dance you’re taught and a kick line. Then you become a training camp candidate, and once you survive that, you are a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. The pay is pretty ridiculous. When I cheered it was $15 a game. I hear that nowadays it’s $50 a game, which is still a joke, if you ask me. But yes, it did lead to bigger and better jobs.

Savvy: You were on “America’s Next Top Model” in 2005. What was that experience like?

Allison: “America’s Next Top Model” was fun. Myself and two other former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders were on the show the same day playing cheerleaders.

Savvy: What are the challenges in distinguishing yourself as a personality with a name people recognize as opposed to just being another beautiful face?

Allison: I really don’t find too many challenges in distinguishing myself as a personality. Anyone that really knows me knows that I’m naturally pretty funny and entertaining, and there’s a lot more to me than just my looks. People that don’t know me are usually pretty shocked after talking to me and realizing how quick-witted I am and how much I have accomplished in my life other than just my modeling and acting gigs.

Savvy: You were in America’s Sweethearts and had a small part in Bruce Almighty. Tell us about working with big movie stars.

Allison: I don’t really take notice to stars. I’ve never been impressed by most actors. If I’m going to be impressed by anyone involved with a movie or television show, it would be from the works of the writer or director. That’s where the real creativity and talent are derived from.

Savvy: Do you have any stories from appearing on “The Man Show” ?

Allison: No, I only shot two days for one episode. I played Adam Corrola’s girlfriend.

Savvy: Any fun, scary or interesting stories from your pageant days?

Allison: My experience as far as pageants go -- or let’s at least say as far as Hawaiian Tropic pageants go -- is that they are events to benefit gawkers and groupies that attend them.

Savvy: We understand you have filmmaking dreams. Where is the production at on your short film, Vicious Cycle? What’s it about? Where can we see it?

Allison: I am currently having someone work on the production cost for my short film, which should be done by the end of November. Once that is done, I will then begin looking for the funding, which I hope to have by the end of the year so I can begin filming in January or February. It is a dark drama with some comedy about an artist who is hoping to persuade a beautiful model to pose for him and enchants her with the story of a love triangle from his youth involving a mysterious exotic girl and his vengeful older brother.

Savvy: Okay. Sounds like a plot.

Allison: After its completion, I will enter it into all the film festivals then begin looking for funding for the full-length feature.

Savvy: What are some interesting things about yourself that most people don’t know?

Allison: Well, the people that really know me, they know that there’s not much to hide. I pretty much think out loud and don’t really hold back anything. But for those that don’t know me, they might find it interesting that I’m pretty much a home body. I really don’t go out that much. I would rather order in and watch movies. I guess what most people that do know me find most interesting is that I am very fascinated with the middle east and would love to live in Dubai.

Savvy: As a beautiful, sexy model, where do you draw the line between being sexy and going too far? Going too far with what?

Allison: For myself, being beautiful and being sexy is something I’m not one bit ashamed of and it’s something you can do -- at least in my opinion -- while still being a moral and virtuous woman.

Savvy: Do your looks ever work against you as far as acting?

Allison: I think sometimes I tend to get typecast. I’m always being sent on blonde bimbo roles or sexy girl roles. But there’s a lot more to me than just my looks.

Savvy: Hopefully, Hollywood will begin to recognize that. Well, good luck with your filmmaking dreams.

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On the Web:

http://www.allisonmccurdy.com/