Crazy Mofo had the pleasure of interviewing the smoking hot host Jessi Cruickshank from MTV Canada.
How did you become part of the MTV team? Jessi’s goal was to never be on television. She feels she has been fortunate to have good luck. Jessi was a student at the University of Toronto on a scholarship taking English and Drama. She auditioned for a kids show on YTV and that was her summer job and got her foot through the door. Then, MTV came along after she sent in a demo tape which caught the eye of the Vice-President of Production.
Now, while most girls in high school spent their lunch doing their make-up, smoking at the gates, flirting with boys or spreading gossip, is it true that you spent your lunch breaks teaching special needs children drama? Jessi was a mentor for an autistic child in elementary school. When she went to high school, she took initiative to start her own drama program for special needs children because there was an obvious need for one.
Do you feel like you’re a Canadian icon for all red heads? Jessi laughs and stated that she is not an icon for anything. Growing up she knew of Anne of Green Gables and she never liked her red hair. Jessi jokes that she had a traumatic childhood being a red head. Jessi says, that she has grown to like her hair. Now, MTV red head fans email her and come up to her on the streets because she has inspired them to appreciate their "ginger" roots.
If you were to be another host on MTV Canada, who would you be and why? Jessi states, that she would without a doubt be her partner in crime and Laguna Beach and The Hills After Show co-host Dan Levy. Jessi also comments that Dan and her share the same passion for fashion.
How exciting is it to have The After Show return for The Hills season 3 and a bigger audience? Jessi is very excited for the new season of The Hills especially with the additional broadcast on MTV.ca and MTV.com in the United States. She says that the possibility of being written about on American blog sites like Perez Hilton is a bit daunting.
Are you anticipating the return of Laguna 4 Newport Beach? Jessi is very excited for Newport Beach because they are airing an exclusive never before seen trailor this Monday immediately following The Hills After Show! Moreover, the creator of Laguna Beach, Adam Divello was in Toronto for The Hills After Show Finale last year and said Newport Beach is going to be better than Laguna Beach. The cast is good looking too.
Where do you get your fabulous tres chick sense of fashion? Jessi had a fear of being like everyone else. Therefore, her fashion has always been different. She used to make her own clothes and wear them. Now, she has no time to sew so she designs her own clothes and gets them altered.
What do you see yourself doing in the near future? For those of you who don’t know, Jessi produces some of the segments on MTV Live. Even before this interview she was in the middle of editing a piece she shot in LA with the cast of SuperBad. She wants to produce more in the future and see's herself eventually behind the camera.
How do you feel when you are seen as a big inspiration to young women in the television industry? Any advice to your young admirers? Jessi was flattered and humbled by the idea she's is an inspiration to young Canadians. The best advice she can give is "be who you are" and "don't be fake and don't pretend to be someone your not and don't be afraid of being different." Jessi liked Hanson as a kid and doesn't deny it. Moreover, that is why she likes being part of MTV Canada because they allow their true personalities to shine through.
