See her video at SavvyTV!

Mercedes Terrell knows the good life as a gorgeous young woman living in Orange County, California. She’s surrounded by luxury, the trendiest of stores, and the sexiest people. She is desired by every man who sees her walking down the street.

Professional model Mercedes Terrell proves that brunettes can look every bit as stunning as the blondes populating the beach. She’s made a name for herself appearing beside sensational cars on posters, web sites and at trade shows such as Hot Import Nights. Among her covers are Import Tuner Magazine, Edge/Euro Lowrider, Carboy Japanese, Lowrider, Fuel, Premier Fuego, Rego, OYE and Modified Mustang. She’s also worked as a spokes model for Red Bull, Wrangler Jeans, Suzuki, Dubfest, Warsteiner Beer, Versus Motorsports, WWE, Siany handbags, BMX bicycles and Hollywood Poker. Mercedes has also appeared in music videos for Velvet Revolver, Diecast and Big Z featuring Warren G.

Last August, more than 6,600 Savvy readers picked Mercedes to win the “Is She Hot?” contest. What follows is her highly anticipated pictorial and interview. She shared with us the joys of partying and enjoying life in paradise…

Savvy: What's the best thing about Orange County?

Mercedes: It’s the OC! Come on! Don’t you watch TV? We are the biggest hit since 90210!!

Savvy: Oh sorry, I only watch PBS. (Laughs) What different cities have you lived in?

Mercedes: I have lived all over North Orange County, California. I call Fullerton home now, but I spent the earlier years of my life growing up in Yorba Linda, one of the safest cities on Earth!! Yorba Linda is also where I plan on raising my family one day.

Savvy: I bet the party scene is red hot here. Are you old enough to buy your own beer yet?

Mercedes: I am 21.

Savvy: Ah, the glorious year!

Mercedes: Turning 21 wasn’t super exciting for me though since I have a couple of older step-sisters who helped me go through my partying stage long before I turned 21. One of my older step-sisters, Alexandria, is a bartender. That can get you in a lot of trouble, ya know!

Savvy: Are your sisters as hot as you?

Mercedes: I have four step-sisters and 1 blood sister and ALL of them are super HOT!! My mom looks like Salma Hayek and my dad is a very handsome Sicilian so it wasn’t hard for them to produce two beautiful daughters.

Savvy: The name Terrell does not sound especially exotic.

Mercedes: I know. I love my last name because it never gives anything away -- Thanks dad! I usually just say that I am a mix of Sicilian and Mexican but my last name comes from Whales, so I guess that means I have some European in me too.

Savvy: Wow, I was just about to ask if you wanted some in you! (Laughs) Uh, you do have a sense of humor, don’t ya?

Mercedes: I’m a self-proclaimed COMEDIAN! The only problem is that I am always the one laughing the hardest at my own jokes!

Savvy: Girls like that are funny, especially if they snort when they giggle. What do you hope might come from appearing in Savvy?

Mercedes: Ummm… Well, anything could happen, I suppose. I hope it gets me lots of needed exposure to the right people. I also hope it gives my fans another chance to get to know me a little bit better.

Savvy: Cool. Let’s do this. I have lot of questions written down. What's the meanest thing you've ever done?

Mercedes: Meanest? I don’t have any enemies!! Knock on wood… I always follow the golden rule: treat others as you would want to be treated. Plus, I believe in karma so I don’t want anything coming back to me sevenfold!!

Mercedes: I have a friend with a beach house in Baja and we always get a big group of friends to go down there for vacation. I think I have had the most fun there in Mexico. As a matter of fact, I think that most of the people who live in So Cal can say that the most fun they ever had was partying in Mexico at some point in their life. (Laughs)

Savvy: Did they take your kidney too? Oh, um, what's the wildest thing you've ever done? Do you regret it?

Mercedes: I’m not telling and no! Of course, I don’t regret it!!

Savvy: We’ll just have to let our imaginations do their worst. I know it was just 2-3 years ago, but have you changed since high school?

Mercedes: I haven’t changed too much, but I am definitely not the same. I still like to party but not like I did when I was in high school. By the way, it is possible to party and get straight A’s. I know because I did it!

Savvy: Why couldn’t you have been my girlfriend in high school?! We could have made love under the bleachers and you could have pulled up my G.P.A. by doing my homework for me. Rats!

So you still hang out with any of the same people from high school?

Mercedes: Yeah, I still have the same beautiful girlfriends I’ve had since junior high, and we are all crazy so when we get together it makes for a GREAT time!

Savvy: I’m sure by Orange County standards, “party” is relative to the rest of America. How do you describe "a good time"? A “great time”?

Mercedes: Booze. No, just kidding. (Laughs) Although it never hurts!

Savvy: I know! I’m drunk right now!

Mercedes: A “good time” can always be turned into a great time” if I have friends around. I always have a lot of fun when I am with my family too, especially my cousins. You know I have a lot of cousins since I’m part Mexican!

Savvy: You said it, not me! What kind of kid were you growing up?

Mercedes: When I was younger, I practically lived at Leslie’s house, my best friend who was also my neighbor. We did all the regular young girl stuff like have tea parties and play dress up, but we spent most of our time getting into trouble.

Savvy: Wrestling matches in your panties? That sort of thing?

Mercedes: Not Quite. We were the queens of “toilet papering” and “ding dong ditching”. Our neighbors must’ve hated us!!

Savvy: You can ding-dong ditch me anytime, babe. How do you stay fit? Do you work at it or just have lucky genes?

Mercedes: Lucky genes. (Laughs) I am going to get a lot of hate mail from the ladies for that one! Sorry girls, but it’s my parents fault!

Savvy: Do you have a nickname? I need to know what to scream out later when we get our freak on.

Mercedes: Riiiiight… Um, well, some of my friends call me “Benzo,” my dad calls me Sadie-lady, and my mom calls me Cede (Say-dee).

Savvy: Benzo. I like that one. What songs are on your iPod?

Mercedes: I like a little bit of everything, but my favorite bands include: Nine Inch Nails, System of a Down, SUBLIME, AFI, Too Short, Nirvana, earlier Eminem, Pennywise, Lil’Troy, Lil’Kim, Gwen Stefani… the list goes on.

Savvy: Got a favorite movie you curl up and watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon?

Mercedes: My favorite movies include Tank Girl, The Notebook, The Fifth Element, The Count of Monte Cristo, What Dreams May Come, any movie with Jim Carrey or Mike Myers in it, and of course, Scarface.

Savvy: What about food?

Mercedes: I love all kinds of food, especially Sushi and fish. My favorite is probably crab legs. (Groans pleasurably) I really like margarita’s and the strawberry lemonade they serve at Red Robin. It has real strawberries in it.

Savvy: What’s the best thing you know how to cook?

Mercedes: Spaghetti with my own special meat and vegetable sauce.

Savvy: Wow, I don’t know whether I’m horny or hungry now. Have you always been hot or were you ever weird-looking or fat?

Mercedes: I definitely had an awkward phase! I didn’t know that I was going through that phase when I was, but now that I look back on old pictures and think “What the hell was I wearing?” or “Why did I leave my eyebrows like that?” or “Oh My God! I look like a Chola!”

Savvy: (Laughs) Have you done the bikini contests or beauty pageants?

Mercedes: The only thing I have ever competed in was a Hawaiian Tropics pageant. It was right before I started modeling. I was 19, and it was a good experience, but it wasn’t really something I felt I could just jump into. The pageantry atmosphere is definitely political and certainly something you need to grow up doing.

Savvy: Your name conjures images of luxury and wealth. Can you tell us what your childhood was like?

Mercedes: My upbringing was a huge mix of everything. I was born as a millionaire.

Savvy: Will you marry me?

Mercedes: (Laughs) My parents actually owned the first trash company in Orange County. They bought it from my grandparents -- who started it back in the day when Orange County was only a few houses with a bunch of orange groves around them --but like most of the married couples in this country, my parents got divorced. I was about 5 at the time, but I still consider it the saddest day of my life. Everything was split down the middle and that meant no more big beautiful house, no more big beautiful cars, no more happy family. It was really crappy, but I managed to pull through in the end, right?

Savvy: That’s so sad. Are you a morning person?

Mercedes: No, I hate getting up in the morning! But once I finally do get up, after hitting the snooze button for an hour, I feel better about not sleeping my whole day away.

Savvy: Works for me. What do you wear to bed?

Mercedes: Whatever’s comfy!

Savvy: What’s your biggest flaw?

Mercedes: Why would I want the whole world to know that? I’m not telling!

Savvy: You said you don’t want to mess with karma. Do you believe in any superstitions?

Mercedes: Yeah, and I say that with disappointment because sometimes I get annoyed with them. I believe in all of the regular superstitions like “don’t walk under a ladder, don’t break mirrors, etc., but I also believe in some annoying ones too like “don’t set your purse on the floor or else you will become poor”, and “if you drop a knife, you will have a fight later that day”.

Savvy: (Laughs)

Mercedes: I know they’re stupid, but I can’t seem to shake them.

Savvy: Do you watch any sports?

Mercedes: Nope!

Savvy: Besides knowing how to look so good that men want to rip your clothes off, do you have any other talents?

Mercedes: I love to paint and draw, I design my own clothes, and I am really good at shopping!

Savvy: Are you one of those models who hopes to ride modeling into an acting career?

Mercedes: Well, I haven’t done much acting yet, but I think I would enjoy it. I love modeling though. I get to meet a lot of really cool people and go to some really neat places.

Savvy: What advice do you have for the aspiring Savvy girls out there?

Mercedes: Do only what you are comfortable doing girls! Please don’t do anything you will later regret. The money is never worth it!

Savvy: What was your big break?

Mercedes: When I got on the cover of Import Tuner, I think that was the biggest breaking point of my modeling career. Every cover I have been on since then has continued to boost my career as well. I appreciate all of the wonderful people that have helped me get to where I am now.

Savvy: What are the pitfalls of celebrity and what perks does your celebrity afford you?

Mercedes: The pitfalls are the rumors that people make up, but it doesn’t affect me too much. It’s more annoying than anything. People pretend to be me on the internet all the time. That’s how rumors about me get started! The good things that come along with fame are all the cool people I get to meet and the fans. They are so kind and it gives me motivation to continue on this path.

Savvy: Of all the places you have traveled, which is your favorite?

Mercedes: Merida, Mexico. It’s a really cultural part of Mexico. I had a week-long photo shoot there last year, and we spent most of the time on this huge beautiful Hacienda. It was amazing.

Savvy: If you weren't earning your paycheck posing in swimsuits, what would you be doing today?

Mercedes: I would probably be designing clothes. I hope to end up doing this while I am modeling so that I can incorporate it into some of my shoots.

Savvy: Are you a very competitive person?

Mercedes: Not extremely. I don’t really feel a need to “compete” -- as long as I’m doing my best, I am never disappointed in the outcome. Actually, I make a lot of new friends when working with other models.

Savvy: Do you think there’s room for romance at work or should co-workers be avoided?

Mercedes: Co-workers should be avoided. It is a serious distraction from the job.

Savvy: What would you do if a coworker propositioned you? Someone who could help or hurt your career?

Mercedes: It has never happened to me. I think it’s because I always keep it professional, and if some one makes me the least bit uncomfortable, I am outta there! Plus, I think that in order for someone to ask me something like that, I would have to give them the impression that I would say yes, and I don’t EVER lead people on.

Savvy: If you worked in a professional office, do you think a professional businesswoman can be sexy in attire and her manner of speech or does she need to keep things very understated so others take her seriously?

Mercedes: She can be sexy as long as she doesn’t go over the top with it. Plus, when a woman IS sexy it is hard for her to keep that from showing through no matter what she wears or says. I think that when a woman can be sexy and professional at the same time, she is taken even more seriously. She shows she is confident and capable in her personal presentation, which foreshadows how she does in business.

Savvy: Has being a woman restricted your choices in life?

Mercedes: Well, although I do think men have it too easy in lots of ways, I wouldn’t change being the woman I am now for anything. So the answer is No.

Savvy: It does seem like you have things pretty damn good right now. A lot of women would love to be in your shoes. Why do so many women seem to fall for guys who treat them indifferently or even badly?

Mercedes: I think that it just takes a little while for us to get that stupidity out of our systems! I think the problem that we women have is that we want to conquer every man we come in contact with so when a man gives a response that we weren’t expecting -- like treating us like crap -- we know we haven’t defeated him and we stay around to long trying to “change” him, which, by the way, never happens!!

Savvy: Would it help if I waved a white flag to surrender? You could have your way with me. Speaking of matters of seduction, have you ever let a man buy you a drink at a club even though he didn't have a chance with you?

Mercedes: Yes, I have accepted drinks from guys who didn’t have a chance with me, but I am always willing to chat for a moment. The problem begins when they want to chat for an hour!

Savvy: But you accepted drinks from them. Do you stop talking when you start making slurpee noises at the bottom of the glass?

Mercedes: I don’t really accept drinks from people anymore because there are way too many sickos out there, and I am afraid of someone slipping a date rape drug into my drink.

Savvy: This is true. Some guys wouldn’t think twice about drugging you, even though it’s the same thing as rape.

Mercedes: Guys, if a woman rejects you, just move on. Don’t take it personally and don’t call her a “bitch” if she blows you off because it just makes YOU look like an A-hole!

Savvy: Ever asked a guy out?

Mercedes: Nope! I am way old fashioned when it comes to that type of thing.

Savvy: What is your favorite part of a man's body?

Mercedes: His EYES, because they tell whether he is honest.

Savvy: Male body hair… Your thoughts?

Mercedes: Gross!

Savvy: Favorite cologne on a man? Perfume for yourself?

Mercedes: For a man, Clinique Happy, cool waters for men, Victoria’s Secret’s Very Sexy #2 for men. For me, Clinique Happy Heart.

Savvy: What do you think of men who wear makeup or earrings?

Mercedes: I used to date a guy who did that. He took as long as me to get ready! (Groans) I am glad that’s over! Please let ME be the girl in the relationship!

Savvy: You got it! Are you a little bit of a tease? Have you ever purposely let a man sneak a look down your shirt when leaning over a table? Told a guy he looks “hot” just to see how he reacts? Worn a short skirt or something more revealing than usual for a certain person who wasn’t a boyfriend?

Mercedes: Hell no, I am not a hussy!

Savvy: Do you have any children out there?

Mercedes: No, not for another 6 years minimum!

Savvy: What kind of men are you attracted to?

Mercedes: Honest and confident, but not cocky. Those are the only two sure requirements.

Savvy: How can a guy catch your eye?

Mercedes: He can’t. If he is trying to catch my eye, I probably won’t look his way. But if I notice him, I will make sure he knows it!

Savvy: What is the best way for the average joe to hook up with you? Or are you picky when it comes to the kind of men you give the time of day to?

Mercedes: I am super picky! And I don’t just “hook-up” with people. I am old-fashioned like I said before.

Savvy: What do you think about pick-up lines?

Mercedes: Please, don’t use pick-up lines!, and if a girl isn’t checking you out, you probably don’t have a chance with her so you might not want to run up to her and start barking out cheesy pick up lines.

Savvy: What can a guy do on a first date to screw up any chance of getting a second date?

Mercedes: If he has poor table manners, he can forget about a second date. I mean, seriously, “who raised you?”

Savvy: Have you ever had to reassure a current or former boyfriend/spouse that he deserved to be with you?

Mercedes: No, because he didn’t. That bastard!!

Savvy: What would a guy have to do for you to take him back?

Mercedes: Stop doing whatever he did to make me want to let him go in the first place! Unless he cheated on me, then he would have no chance!

Savvy: What matters most to you when considering an intimate relationship with someone?

Mercedes: No. 1 is personality, followed by confidence, good personal hygiene, good looks, and a good career.

Savvy: Do you believe in happily ever after with one person?

Mercedes: Absolutely! I am just waiting for that one to cross my path!

Savvy: Is your sex life really active?

Mercedes: I am not down for one night stands or any of that “player” craziness. I am not a SLUT. I am only interested in someone I see myself being with for the long run.

Savvy: Would you marry a man you like but don’t necessarily love? What if he had enough money so you’d never have to worry about finances again?

Mercedes: No, or else I would already be married! I need to truly love someone in order to marry them since if I am marrying them I am planning on having kids with them. I am not going to have kids with someone who I don’t love.

Savvy: People do it every day. Not that it would ever be a concern of yours, but do you think it is better for a woman to live with someone she doesn't love than to be alone?

Mercedes: No, that’s silly! How will you find someone you can love if you are living with someone you don’t love?

Savvy: Would you ever sleep with, date or marry some young studmuffin? Maybe your garden guy? Like that kid on “Desperate Housewives” getting busy with Eva Longoria?

Mercedes: I wouldn’t date or marry someone who is a lot younger than me. I think the maturity difference would kill me. I don’t want to feel like I am teaching everything to my husband like I am his mother! Ewwww!! By the way, I am only 21 remember- so my boyfriend couldn’t get much younger than me before it becomes ILLEGAL!!

Savvy: Live dangerously, baby. How much older of a man could you date or marry without the age difference becoming a problem?

Mercedes: 10 years would probably be the max!

Savvy: Would you ever consider marrying a 80-year-old billionaire if he were terminally ill and wanted to spend his final 6 months making love to a beautiful woman, promising to leave his entire estate to you? If you said no, what if he was unable to have sex but still wanted to have a ravishing young wife around to look at?

Mercedes: I am not a cold hearted bitch, geez… Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD do it! I don’t know how any girl can depend on her husband alone to support her! Whether he is old or not, no woman should marry a man for his money. Girls, get off your asses and get to work!! Make your own money!!

Savvy: Have you ever strung an ex along, leaving the door cracked, so he could be your Plan B down the road?

Mercedes: No, I wouldn’t want him to do that to me, so why would I do that to him?

Savvy: When you are upset, are you more likely to talk things over with a friend or your partner or to keep it to yourself?

Mercedes: Talk it over if I am calm enough to. Otherwise it will just have to wait until I am.

Savvy: When you are pissed off, are you more likely to yell at people, give them the silent treatment or just burst into tears?

Mercedes: All three usually happen in that same sequence: Yell, silent treatment, tears.

Savvy: Have you ever been completely or partially naked in public?

Mercedes: Well, a lot of my photo shoots are done in public places, but I don’t do any nude pictures so I am always wearing at least as much as a bikini. I am completely comfortable in public in a bikini so it isn’t really a big deal.

Savvy: What was the weirdest or funniest blind date you've ever had?

Mercedes: My first date ever with my first real boyfriend ever; it was weird because I was so nervous and felt so stupid. I didn’t know what to say or how to act, but fortunately, he was a great guy and didn’t take advantage of that. Actually, he turned out to be my high school sweet heart and I was with him for 4 years.

Savvy: That’s so sweet. Have a happy 2006!

Mercedes: You too! And thanks to everyone who voted for me in the contest!

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On the Web:

http://www.mercedesterrell.com/