Katarina Van Derham goes out of her way to keep her boyfriends happy in every possible way, but she's no pushover.

Even an average-looking guy can hook up with this Eastern European model and actress if he is willing to give up drugs, red meat, other women and bland sex.

Katarina -- who has appeared on TV shows like "Monk", in magazines, lingerie catalogs and calendars -- lives in Los Angeles, a world away from the former communist land where she grew up.

"When I was 22, (my family) got our first microwave oven," she said. "We were so happy, so excited. Our power couldn't even hold that much energy so the lights would dim when we used it. Here, you move into an apartment and the microwave oven comes with it. Americans never think about that."

While she may look like a younger Pamela Anderson, you are seeing Katarina in the most state of undress you ever will. She declines to do nude photos or take parts requiring simulated sex or nudity. She wants the world to know that while she may look like a complete woman, she's no delicate flower.

Savvy: I understand you help Sylvester Stallone sell his supplements on the fitness circuit. How is Sly these days?

Katarina: That was a great experience and I'm working with him again soon.

Savvy: (in best Rocky impersonation) Yo, Ka-tree-nah! Are you strong enough to kick my ass? Do you find those muscle guys attractive?

Katarina: I am careful not to be one of those typical beanpole L.A. girls in pink bikinis. That's not me. I'm a survivor. I think Sylvester sees that in me. I actually got in People magazine several times this year and I'm on the cover of Planet Muscle this month.

Savvy: Do you only go out with those bodybuilder types?

Katarina: Looks don't matter that much, whether you believe that or not. I am not much into a musclebuilder-type. I prefer athletic types. There has to be personality and not a focus on career. Looks have always been the lowest priority for me.

Savvy: Then I have a shot! What misconception do people have about you as a gorgeous blonde model from the Slovak Republic?

Katarina: Like any blonde who is good looking or something, people assume I am just a girl who thinks about myself. They think my nails have to be done all the time. That's not true. I came from a very poor family in Solvakia and work very hard. I really do believe that looks do not matter in the long run.

Savvy: You gotta be kidding me. You're hotter than a boiling lake of lava in August, girl!

Katarina: Well, thank you but I am a very average-looking woman. Anyone can look as good as I do in pictures with makeup. I know the magic of a makeup artist and how they can make you look different than you are. I am very comfortable with my body because I never think of myself as a bombshell or goddess or anything like that. I like to go around with no makeup in sweat pants.The only time I really put makeup on is when I do the modeling.

Savvy: What's your fitness secret?

Katarina: I've been a vegetarian for 10 years. I do eat fish. I don't believe in the Atkins diet. We should all eat carbs. It's all about timing. I try not to eat carbs after 3 p.m. When I have to work a lot, I eat fitness bars.

Savvy: Do you party?

Katarina: I like going to guy's bars, sports bars, where I can have a few drinks. I used to be a real big clubber but not anymore. I didn't enjoy being stoned in a nightclub. I really want to be involved some day in a campaign for children to stop street drugs. I've had some experiences watching people brought down by drugs.

Savvy: So no wild night-life? I'm a tad disappointed.

Katarina: I actually enjoy going to gay clubs where the music is very European. I get attention but nobody bothers me asking for my number. I like getting together with my friends, a normal lifestyle, maybe playing darts or air hockey. When I turn into a professional model the next day, that's my other life. I really do not like guys trying to impress me by trying to be something they are not. I like hanging out with normal people. Modeling is not my life. It is my job.

Savvy: A pretty kick-ass job. How different is your life today from growing up?

Katarina: The Slovak Republic was part of the former Czechslovakia. In 1993, it became two separate countries. I think the main problem in this country is the mentality. I was 14 when communism went down, and I really can't complain about it. Communism was a good thing in being brought up to believe the family was the most important thing. It was about caring about each other, helping the elderly, not being selfish or greedy. Now, when I go back, it is sort of sad because none of my friends have really good jobs. They're unemployed. Things have gotten better looking but the economy is really horrible so I don't think it was a good change for my country at all.People do not celebrate talent. They get jealous and try to bring you down instead of supporting you. I am glad I moved to the United States.

Savvy: Do you think Americans are too obsessed with sex?

Katarina: No, Europeans are more obsessed with sex than Americans. Americans are obsessed with themselves. Their career comes first. They can be selfish, thinking of themselves and then others. That is not a good thing. I think that is why my boyfriends have a hard time when we break up.

Savvy: How's that?

Katarina: Many girls are self-centered, but I really take care of my boyfriend before I take care of myself. If my boyfriend's car breaks down and we both need our cars to get to work, I will let him take my car and I will take the bus or find a way to get around. Or I may have lots of money and I spend it on him before myself. I think it is also sexually in that way too. I definitely want to make sure they have a good time.

Savvy: I love you. Are you good in bed?

Katarina: I'm not the kind of woman who waits on a feather. I take charge.

Savvy: Details... Details...

Katarina: I am a very sexual person. I like kinky sex. I like it all. I love sex when I am with the right partner.

Savvy: How are you kinky?

Katarina: I like whips and the whole pain thing.

Savvy: Where do you draw the line when it comes to sex? Is there anything so taboo you won't do it?

Katarina: No, I don't think so. I believe, by now, I've pretty much done it all. The only thing I probably wouldn't like at this point in my life was if I had a boyfriend and we did a threesome and I see him having sex with another woman. I don't think I could enjoy seeing him go inside another woman while I am watching. Maybe in 15 years when I'm married and things are boring after so many years and want to find a way to spice it up.

Savvy: How many women have you been with?

Katarina: I had a threesome with a couple.

Savvy: So how would that work if you and your boyfriend got into a threesome if he can't do it with the other chick?

Katarina: She and I would put on a show for him while he watches.

Savvy: What can men do to become better lovers?

Katarina: I think men should watch two women having sex. A man can have sex with a woman and do it all wrong because she never speaks up for what she likes. I really believe women know what feels best for us.

Savvy: Where did you learn about "doin' it"?

Katarina: I had a boyfriend for six years when I was a teenager and he taught me a lot. And you know, growing up, you learn from magazines and from watching porn. I was really comfortable with my body when I was 22 and doing different things with my body.

Savvy: I REALLY love you.

Katarina: I pretty much figured out oral sex on my own.

Savvy: (speechless)

Katarina: The female body is just so much nicer than the male body.

Savvy: Okay, I better take this interview in a new direction. It is too hard to type one-handed. I see you are also a fashion model...

Katarina: My dream was to be a fashion model and do a campaign for Versace or Guess, but my height is a problem for high fashion. I do the best sexy pictures I can but I don't really go overboard and do any really L.A. cheesy blonde girl stuff. I try to balance it out.

Savvy: Where do you want to take your acting career?

Katarina: I am training for accent reduction. I've only been in this for two or three years now. I see myself being in movies but I don't want to have status like Nicole Kidman. I want to be recognized as a comedian-type actress but I don't want to become so famous that people follow me on the street. I look at acting and modeling in the view that I have to enjoy it.

Savvy: You want to play a character like Lara Croft who can take care of herself. Why do you think guys find that kind of character sexy?

Katarina: The confidence, the strength and independence. There are so many weak women in the world and some men like them because they can use them and abuse them. They spoil them by taking them shopping and they don't have jobs, but men cheat on them because they do not respect them. When there is a woman who is very loving and caring but also strong and independent, not needing a man to take care of her, I believe men find that sexy. That's the kind of woman to marry and have take care of your babies.

Savvy: Any closing message to the world?

Katarina: I want to put the message out to be nice to each other, appreciate the little things you have, be humble, don't get addicted to money, enjoy life and appreciate every day. Give thanks when you wake up every morning that you have the things you have. And be better drivers. I am a very good driver and I'm going crazy because people can't drive.

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On the web: www.KatarinaModel.com