Name: Vida Guerra

Birthplace: Havana, Cuba

Birthday: March 19

Stats: 34C-25-37

If Helen was the face that launched a thousand ships, Vida Guerra surely has an bottom that launched a thousand subscriptions.

We aren't sure how many FHM readers signed up after seeing lovely Vida's assets in a 2002 photo with four other girls. She became an overnight sensation quite literally as guys wrote in pleading -- and possibly demanding -- more photos of this hot new face from New Jersey.

Vida, whose family fled Havana, Cuba when she was 6 years old, has used her fame to launch acting and modeling projects, as well as a singing effort, which she said goes way back to before that famous group photo was published.

When Savvy first spoke to Vida, she was promoting a 16-month calendar and behind-the-scenes DVD. She's since gone on to appear in a celebrity pictorial in Playboy and to become a film actress.

We sat down with the famous babe for a chat about men, fans, fame and, oh yeah, that famous caboose...

Savvy: Okay, I'm dying to know something. I heard a rumor that J. Lo has insurance on her ass. Do you?

Vida: No. Just insurance for my whole body.

Savvy: Interesting. I have to confess I am a huge fan. I cried when I didn't win the contest to win a date with you. Now that we have that out of the way, tell me how it felt to become suddenly famous.

Vida: An ex-boyfriend and a friend suggested I send in photos to FHM. I had nothing to lose so I did it.

Savvy: Why do you think the first picture of you caused such a sensation? You were one of five sizzling hot babes, all wearing lingerie.

Vida: Thank you. I don't know why I struck a chord. You might have to ask them. I'm flattered I did. I think I stood out in the picture because I was the only one who had my back to the camera, and I had a tan. The response and then requesting to see more of me, I don't know why it happened.

Savvy: I have theories. You look like a real woman instead of a stick figure, plus you're gorgeous.

Vida: Thank you.

Savvy: For a while, the sexy model look was trending toward girls starving themselves, but now it seems to be shifting. Why do you think that is?

Vida: Obviously men don't like that, and times are changing. Some men are into that look, but a lot of men aren't. Maybe guys were used to seeing a certain type of girl in FHM, and I was something different.

Savvy: Do women ever thank you for giving them confidence after they see their boyfriends admiring your curvy physique?

Vida: Oh sure.

Savvy: I mean the ones who don’t throw the magazine at their boyfriend because they’re jealous.

Vida: I also get letters wanting to know tips on how they can work out and achieve a body like that, you know, fitness and eating. I mean, I’m not the one who opened guys’ eyes, but I think my pictures sort of helped break down the wall in Hollywood because before, they’d just say, “Oh, she’s too fat.”

Savvy: You aren’t fat. You're fit. You've just got some spectacular curves.

Vida: Hollywood has this thing that you have to be really skinny because the camera makes you look 10 pounds heavier. But obviously, walls are coming down because people are responding.

Savvy: Indeed. What’s your latest validation?

Vida: I was nominated for Vibe’s Video Vixen of the Year for a Cassidy Video “Gets No Better”. But I didn’t win.

Savvy: I read one of your interviews where you said a former partner took fans’ money without delivering the goods. Do you have a well-oiled machine running things now?

Vida: (I learned) you have to crawl before you walk. In this business, people throw all sorts of things at you. You might be gullible or believe people have your best interest at heart when, in fact, they don’t.

Savvy: True. What advice would you give a model who’s starting to get noticed?

Vida: Girls who are just getting into the business need to research everything they are doing, from management to Web sites to everything. Just be more selective and realize that just because someone is promising you something or claiming to have worked with this person or that one to make themselves sound better, they really have to take it for what they are saying and then actually research it.

Savvy: Scam artists, huh?

Vida: You have everyone knocking on your door and promising you everything. But actions speak louder than words. I’ve known the owner of Global Sports for years. He’s an old friend from school. I was telling him one day what had happened, and he said he could help me out. And he did. He has come through really good.

Savvy: Great. Women always tell me to stop looking at their breasts when we’re talking. Do you ever get tired of guys checking out your caboose?

Vida: No. Because I have breasts too. (Laughs) No, it doesn’t matter. I appreciate a nice body and might check someone out myself. The whole two-and-a-half years I’ve been modeling, only two guys have been disrespectful. One guy was disrespectful in Philadelphia yesterday and one guy in Canada last year, but compared to the people I bump into, that’s not bad at all.

Savvy: I imagined you having to cope with guys trying to cop a feel all the time. I know I get tired of women constantly groping my ass!

Vida: When photographers take your picture, you know how they put their hand around your waist to move you? Some of them have put their hand lower with me, not really grabbing my butt but trying to get as close as they can. I just slap their hand and pull it up.

Savvy: How dare they?! I would never try that. Especially not now. What about your fans? What the strangest and sweetest things they’ve done so far?

Vida: The strangest thing is a fan getting a tattooed picture of me. The sweetest thing was this guy who is a member of my Web site and has a foot fetish, he went to a show I was doing and brought me a toe ring to wear. They also had the FHM contest to win a date with me. One guy did a painting of my face. Another guy did a sculpture.

Savvy: Damn. I thought about cutting off my ear like Van Gogh and sending it to you, but then I realized that shit would hurt and it might, like, creep you out. So, now that I have your ear… Seeing anybody?

Vida: I’m not dating anyone right now. It takes a really strong, secure man.

Savvy: Oh, never mind then. How can a strong, secure man win your heart?

Vida: It always works out best in the end if a guy just tries to be a girl’s friend without any expectations. You can ultimately have the expectation in your head, but just let it go.

Savvy: Would you ever approach a guy? He might have a heart attack when he realizes who you are.

Vida: Hell no. I’ve never, ever… since I was a little girl… I’m not based on looks or stuff like that. Until I know the guy, that won’t happen.

Savvy: If your photo on the cover sells magazines, why don’t I see you on the cover of tabloids?

Vida: I’ve been very fortunate, I think. I’ve heard horror stories.

Savvy: Any celebrities you’d care to share a scandal with? Anybody you were thrilled to be in the same room with?

Vida: Not really. I mean, I saw the Rock the other day at a party, but I didn’t go up to him.

Savvy: How long do you want to pursue fame and fortune?

Vida: As long as I can.

Savvy: So what’s ahead? Acting?

Vida: Yes. I’ve done three movies so far, and I have a ton of scripts I’m looking at, plus TV shows.

Savvy: Wow. Are they pretty girl parts? Meaty?

Vida: They’re actually all different roles. They aren’t all the same. In “Dorm Daze 2”, I play a conservative virgin. I had clothes on the whole entire time towards the end. 

Savvy: I’ll watch it anyway. (Laughs)

Vida: Good. That video will out the first quarter of 2006.

Savvy: Would you ever do nudity? What if I begged? I’m sure I could start a letter-writing campaign.

Vida: (Laughs) I’ve never posed nude in a magazine. I’ve turned Playboy down a couple of times.

Savvy: You’re offended by nudity?

Vida: No, it doesn’t matter. I guess the money has to be right and it has to be done very artistically. Of course, I have to get my dad’s approval.

Savvy: Your daddy would probably love it if I personally did the photo shoot. (Laughs) What else is in the future for Vida?

Vida: I’m working on music. It’s like R & B, Urban, Hip Hop. I’ve been doing that since I was a little girl. The modeling is just what came first.

Savvy: Speaking of modeling, this calendar is red-hot!

Vida: I chose the have the calendar release party in Puerto Rico because that’s where we did the pictures for the calendar, and it’s warm. Since I couldn’t go to Cuba, Puerto Rico was the next best thing. The calendar is 12 x 17 so it is like a little mini-poster, which is really, really nice.

Savvy: And you have a video too. That’s what I want – to see you jiggle.

Vida: The DVD is really, really funny. My fans will get to see a really silly, yet sexy side of me. (Laughs)

Savvy: Silly and sexy. With lots of curves. What more could a guy want? Tell us mere mortals, what’s the coolest thing about being famous?

Vida: The coolest thing would be getting to travel and meet interesting people. You do get opportunities.

Savvy: I’m glad I have the opportunity to hang you on my wall for the next 16 months.

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On the Web: http://www.vidasworld.com