MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ
STYLE & SUBSTANCE

      Michelle Rodriguez might be the most feared actress in Hollywood. She's known for playing super-tough chicks in movies like "Girlfight," "The Fast and the Furious," "Resident Evil" and "Blue Crush" (set for DVD release on Jan. 14). Her hot on-screen chemistry with Vin Diesel in "The Fast and the Furious" was so convincing that rumors circulated of a real-life romance between the two. While filming "Blue Crush" in Hawaii, the 24-year-old, 5-foot-6 Latina earned the nickname "Pitta," the name for outlaw local girls, because of the risks she took while surfing. She has a tough image off screen, too. Rodriguez was arrested for beating up her roommate in Jersey City last April. Born in Bexar County, Texas, brought up in New Jersey, and raised as a Jehovah's Witness, Rodriguez was kicked out of six different schools. She first found work as an extra in "Summer of Sam" and "Cradle Will Rock." The brawny brunette beat out 350 girls for the lead role of Diana Guzman in 2000's "Girlfight," which catapulted Rodriguez to stardom.

Q: Describe your personal style.
A: Grungy, edgy. What everyone wouldn't wear, I would wear.

Q: Favorite designers?
A: Dolce & Gabbana falls into that category of funky and edgy. Jean Paul Gaultier, who did all the designs for "Resident Evil." He kicks ass.

Q: Favorite places to shop?
A: Buffalo Chips in New York. Or Arden B's, or Diesel. I hit vintage shops and the mall in my area [Jersey City] or wherever I am. SoHo is great.

Q: What do you do to relax?
A: I breathe. I turn the phones off and I kill all electricity to relax.

Q: What can't you live without?
A: Air. Pretty much I'm a basics kind of girl.

Q: How do you stay in shape?
A: Wow, I don't know. I don't work out. I goof off with my friends. We play-fight every now and then, just goof off and fake swing, drop kicks.

Q: How do you take care of yourself?
A: Make sure there's money in the bank, food in my stomach and a roof over my head.

Q: What are some of your hangout spots?
A: I love Washington Square Park, Central Park, MoMA. I guess I like big clubs that are loud - places like Exit. I stay away from pretentious clubs like Lotus or Suite 16. There's no point standing outside and waiting for some dork to come out and get me in. Or saying, "Am I worthy, bouncer dude?"

Q: Do you follow a special diet?
A: I watch what I eat. I don't like greasy foods anymore. I used to be such a McDonald's-head, and now I can't even think of eating there.

Q: What gives you substance?
A: The fact that I'm going to wrinkle up and die one day.

Q: What would you never wear?
A: Pink lace.

Q: What do you use to accessorize?
A: Silver, platinum, white gold.

Q: What was your biggest fashion faux pas?
A: I've had tons of them. That's the epitome of my existence. I'm always going out looking like a clown. It's a force of habit. I went to Exit for New Year's Eve, and I had these black wings. I got the "Dark Angel" comment. I hated that.

Q: What traits does your ideal guy have?
A: He would be incredibly hilarious. The ideal guy would be a mixture of Tom Green and Vin Diesel. You'd have to have the traits of both. Powerful, funny and fierce.

Q: What do you love to see guys wear?
A: Jeans, with no shirt.

(Source: NY Post)