Innerview with Erin McKinnon

C8: Your bio says you were born in Texas. What's up with Texas and its affinity for Compound's? First there was Waco and now the Polygamy thing. Is that why you moved to Florida?

EM: I'm sure there are other such compounds all over the United States and it just a strange coincidence that Texas as been heavily covered by the media. I moved to Florida when I was very young. My father was with the FAA, so we only lived in Texas for a short period of time. My family is originally from Georgia, so I am definitely a southern girl at heart!

C8: You're Maxim Mag's 2007 Hometown Hottie winner. What prompted you to enter the competition in the first place?

EM: What aspiring model doesn't enter the Hometown Hotties Competition? I entered the contest last year and didn't make it past the first round. I figured that I would enter this past year and would happy with making it to the top 100 girls. As I made it through each round of the competition, I became more excited never thinking that this could happen to me.

C8: Maxim's Hometown Hottie competition gives non-professional girls a chance at a little fame. What's your opinion on that kind of "grass roots", user generated content? Should regular people become celebrities without having to "work" for it?

EM: These "regular people" are the ones who work the hardest to achieve their goals. I am not an expert on celebrity status, but I don't think it is easy to achieve that status. Even if an opportunity falls in someone's lap, I don't think it easy to maintain that status.

C8: We have to assume you're stoked that you won right? How do you plan on using your new notoriety?

EM: Well, I think there is a moment in everyday that I still sit back and say, "Wow this is so awesome!" I really want to start television hosting. I love being in front the camera and being on stage. So hopefully, with the notoriety that I have that will happen for me someday.

C8: You're majoring in Marketing at the University of Florida correct? How great an influence do you feel the media has on directing people's opinions and behavior?

EM: I think the media has a HUGE influence on people's opinions. Since this is the case, it is up to the public to use all of the different media outlets to research and formulate their own opinions.

C8: What do you think is the most powerful form of media today and why?

EM: Hands down the internet. With the developing popularity of sites like Myspace.com and Facebook, people are the internet more than ever. I for one am guilty of being on my computer or iPhone all of the time. When I need to catch up on my current events, I go a news website.

C8: HIN Boston was your first HIN event right? What do you think of HIN events so far? Were you a car girl before joining HIN? Are you now?

EM: I had so much fun in Boston! I really had no idea what to expect before going to my first HIN event, but I have to tell you in was a wonderful experience. I really wasn't a car girl before joining HIN, but I have learned a lot and think the industry is really interesting. It amazes me how much time and effort is put into the cars at the show.

C8: What's the worst advice anyone has ever given you?

EM: I don't think anyone has really ever given me bad advice. I try to surround myself with supportive and trustworthy people.

C8: Top or Bottom?

EM: Hmmm...depends on the day. :)

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