In the hot seat: Mia Tyler 4/1/05

By Rachel Leibrock for the Sacramento Bee

Mia Tyler knows something about the glamorous life: Dad is Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler; half-sister is actress Liv Tyler; and hubby is Papa Roach drummer David Buckner. She's made a name for herself, too - she's a plus-size model, actress, one of the top searches on MSN.com and recently appeared on the VH1 reality show "Celebrity Fit Club." These days, however, Tyler's living a more relaxed life in Sactown, where she and Buckner, a Vacaville native, own a home. We recently caught up with her on the phone and chatted about television, tattoos and Sacramento living.

Q: How long have you been in Sacramento?
A: I've been married for a year, so two full years. We got married twice because we eloped the first time and then had a ceremony for friends and family in February 2004. We were married at the Sterling Hotel - a beautiful place.

Q: How do you spend your days?
A: The whole reason I like living in Sacramento is that it's quiet and peaceful compared to how we usually live - which is on the go. I feed the dogs and check my e-mail and spend a good portion of the morning and afternoon on the computer - ever since I did ("Celebrity Fit Club"), I've (been reading) a lot of scripts.

Q: Did the show open up a lot of new opportunities?
A: It has, although I was really nervous about what kind of offers I'd get because the show turned out to be trash TV - which I wasn't expecting. I think they zeroed in on me having to stick up for myself, arguing and fighting. They didn't show any of the good things that I did. That was kind of disappointing.

Q: Would you do reality TV again?
A: I just got offered to do another reality TV show. Part of me wants to do it because I could show off my real personality, but the other part of me is, 'Oh God, I don't know if I want to be on TV like that again.' It's a show (about) celebrities' kids who are aspiring actors, DJs or whatever. A bunch of the kids who (might) be on it are people I grew up with.

Q: What's your family's reaction to what you've been doing?
A: Well, Liv just had the baby and is taking time off, and my dad's off for a year, so I was the one working a lot. Because they're home, they're watching TV and they get to see everything I do. It actually helps their days go by better (laughs).

Q: Do you ever compare Web site visitor stats with your dad or your sister?
A: No. My sister's got a site called LovelyLivTyler.com and she's always checking that. I've got MiaTylerOnline.com and I'm always on it - there's a fan club and message boards and chat rooms. I also have an (online) support group called Getting in Shape Girls.

Q: Have you ever thought about doing your own fashion line?
A: I have, but I don't just want to give someone my ideas and say, 'Here, go make this.' I want to be more involved than that. A big problem with plus-size clothes is that the shirts aren't long enough - they only go down to your hips; tank tops only go down to your waist, and I hate that. That's my main reason for wanting to do a line - finding shirts that will fit right.

Q: What's your must-have fashion item for spring?
A: Coach makes these really awesome wedge flip-flop sandals. They have new spring ones that have ladybugs on the side.

Q: You have 11 tattoos - is there a favorite?
A: I like all my tattoos; I can't say I love one more than the other. They're like children.

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