NEW! Watch Monique's elimination-night "speech" on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Totally cute and funny! =)

We were devastated to see our girl Monique Coleman eliminated from Dancing With the Stars. Not only was she our fave (natch!), but we've been kinda stressin' over the whole guy-girl thing. I mean, is it just me, or is this show a lot harder for the chicks?

No matter how fab Mario and Emmitt are, neither of them have to leap backwards through the air into someone's arms (like Monique), do a split while being spun around in circles (like Monique), or wear high heels during every performance (yep, like Monique!). According to this article, it seems Mo agrees.

Sure, the show must go on. (The finale is tonight.) But Monique is totally the winner in our book, er, mag! That's why your postess with the mostess (Jessica B.) sat down with the super-sweet star (seriously, she's the coolest ever!) to get her take on the whole reality show experience. Here's the 411!

JESSICA: Hey, Monique! I'm so excited to talk to you about the whole Dancing With The Stars experience. Everything you did totally rocked. But can we go back and talk about the night you were wearing that little yellow costume. It was the Jive, right?

MONIQUE: Oh yeah, it was. The jive was one of the most difficult dances I did all season. The jump off the stage at the beginning off of the stage was CRAZY.

OMG! I know. You totally flew backwards about a million feet! That must have taken a lot of trust that your partner would catch you!

It’s funny because I am afraid of heights—and I'm a control freak. So that part was for me the most difficult aspect of the dance other than when I went down into a split and then twirled under. I think we got it right once in rehearsal. He was like if you want to cut it out, do. But I said I can do this, I really can. And that’s really what this whole experience has been like just knowing I can do things.

That was also the night your adorable mom showed up wearing her MONIQUE t-shirt with your pictures on the front. My mom would have done the same thing! I totally cried through that whole show. She was just so proud and you guys seem so close.

Aw, you're so sweet. That's awesome. Yeah, having my mom there completed the experience for me. She had been there before my dream was even realized—and I knew she'd love me whether I fell on my face or my costume falls off. No matter what, just knowing she loved me, that really inspired my performance. And on nights when she wasn't there, I have the audience there and three judges who are sitting there to watch and enjoy it. It really took my confidence to another level.

Did you have any particular insecurities at the beginning?Coming in not only the youngest person but also the newest celebrity was a very difficult position. I mean, there were definitely people sitting there going, "Monique who?" But I got through it because my true fans, who've known me since Suite Life and HSM, were also there. They were the reason I got this opportunity in the first place. And I am so grateful to them all the time. With that base, my goal was to make the other people—the ones who'd never heard of me—go from "WHO?" to "WOW!"

You totally did that! What was it like waiting backstage before a performance? Were you nervous?

I'd get nauseous. Literally. I know that sounds disgusting and awful, but it's true! As far as I was concerned backstage, I saw every dance as the last dance and every performance as my peak performance. Then, I'd be prepared for whatever the judges said and whatever happened with the voting. I'd know that I went out there and gave my best. There was nothing else that I could have done.

How did you do all of those dances without breaking a sweat! Do you have some magic makeup secret we're not aware of?

It’s funny because I am actually a sweater. I sweat a lot. When we’d do the big numbers, I’d have to have more then one shirt. I would take one off and go back and blow dry it then they would give me a new one. Even though each dance is so big and seems like it goes forever, you are only up there for a minute and a half. If I had to do it again, I’d be drenched. But something greater and more glamorous is happening when we are on that dance floor. With everyone rooting for you, I swear you end up shining instead of perspiring!

I wish I had an audience rooting for me at the gym every night then! LOL. So, speaking of shining, you always looked amazing in your costumes. They were so cute!

Thanks! My partner and I actually designed our own costumes before each show. We’d get together and find out what dance and song we had. Then the wardrobe people would come running up to ask us what we wanted to wear. Knowing my fan base, I started off a little more conservative. But, as the show went on, I felt more comfortable revealing a little more. Essentially we just went for great colors, then picked shapes that would move really well, accenting the right parts of my body for different dances.

That’s cool that you thought of the fans. I mean you’re in your early twenties, but most of them are much younger. Did you have a pretty normal childhood or were you always on the “rising star” path.

Growing up in South Carolina, I had the most normal childhood ever. Public elementary and middle school, then I went to a private high school and I had the best time there. Then I went to college and got a degree in acting, before I moved to Los Angles. It was kind of a catch 22, because education was so important to me, but a lot of people my age started their careers before I did. So I felt like I was playing catch-up for a little while. But I feel really strongly that my college experience, what I learned and experienced there, will be what sustains me in the long run. I’m just so excited that I’ve finally arrived!

Speaking of school, here is a pop quiz. I am going to say the name of one of your Suite Life or High School Musical co-stars. You tell me the first word that comes to mind, okay?

Dylan and Cole…
Fun, daredevils, pranksters

Ashley…
Sincere

Zac…
Very driven

Corbin…
Soulful

Vanessa…
Beautiful inside and out

And what about our readers? Any words of advice for GL Girls?

Just be willing to be an individual. And trust and believe that you can do anything that you set your heart and mind to.

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MORE MONIQUE!

Dancing With The Stars Finale - TONIGHT!!!!
See Monique and Louis dance one more time!

TV Guide Channel - TODAY!!!!
Keep an eye out for our girl on Watch This all day long!

The Reading Room
Watch Mo in this Hallmark Channel movie on November 24!
Also starring James Earl Jones (yep, the voice of Darth Vader!)

High School Music: The Concert
Tickets are on sale now!
Check the sched to see when HSM's coming to your town!

{Are you Mo's #1 Fan? Give her props on G-BLOG!}

11/15/2006 12:59:00 PM