It's interesting, and quite often amusing, to observe how memebers of the opposite sex react to Carmen Electra. Cooling my heels at the bar within Beverly Hill's swank L'Ermitage hotel, I watch in amazement as grown men are transformed into blushing young school boys in her presence.

Even before Carmen has made it to the entrance of this posh palace, the hotel's doorman literally begin falling over one another for the honor of just holding the door open for the ravishing, radiant femme fatale. And as she saunters across the lobby to meet up with me, practically every man within a 100-foot radius stops dead in his tracks to study her every movement and step: clearly mesmerized by her grace and magnificence. It's and extraordinary site to behold.

And just how did the former Tara Leigh Patrick from Cincinnati, Ohio become such an enchantress?

"The secret to Carmen Electra is her undeniable sex appeal," her ex-Baywatch boss and co-star David Hasselhoff explains. "She's a natural beauty and people really respond to that. These days, you don't find too many Hollywood stars who have that kind naturalness to them. She's really one of a kind."

We know all about her successful career as a model, actress and recording artist, and her controversial, headline-making relationship with backetball superstar Denis Rodman, but what makes makes this very special lady tick? What are her likes and dislikes? What does she look for in a man? And is she and Dennis now a thing of the past?

To find out the answers to those questions and more, I sat down with the sexy and sensuous celebrity, over drinks, to uncover the secrets behind the real Carmen Electra. How does Carmen unwind?

"I was watching Oprah one day and she said, 'In order to heal, you have to feel.' I took time to feel the losses in my life, and I was feeling sorry for myself, so I had to learn how to love myself. I put on salsa music, and take warm hot baths."

"Yes, I am a very big romantic. I like candles, oils in baths, massages. I love surprises. And I love trips. If my significant other wants to fly to wherever, I love surprises like that."

What do you look for in a relationship?

"I found out that opposites attract, but you have to be careful in choosing a boyfriend/girlfriend and pick someone that shares the same values on life, both spiritually and emotionally."

What turns you off about a man?

"Let me think about this... (flashes a lovely smile) I don't like to fight, nor do I like to argue. So, more than anything, I don't like someone that is too aggressive and doesn't really listen to the word 'NO.' Sometimes I feel like I have to raise my voice or get angry to get people to hear me, because the nice way doesn't always seem to get across."

What is your favorite drink?

"Sex on the beach"

Do you like actual sex on the beach?

"Do you know anyone who doesn't like sex on the beach- or anywhere? But it has to be the right person."

In a recent Controversy survey, you were voted one of the sexiest women on the planet. How does it feel to be a sex symbol, know your picture is on the walls of men and women across the world?

"It feels good, I'm not going to lie. I think the only drawback is people have a totally different image of who you are as a person."

What do you think of Howard Stern?

"I really love Howard. He's just so honest and raw, so you know what to expect. I had a great time doing his show. If you don't like Howard, I don't know why you would go on his show."

How true is it that you only date black men?

"It's not true. My last boyfriend was Cuban. I have no problem with dating a man who is just a good person. I look at the person for who they are, not the color of their skin."

What attracts Carmen to a man?

"I love bald men! I think it's really sexy. Of course, he has to have flava in clothing, style and personality - NO TIGHT JEANS, NO COWBOY BOOTS! When I get ready to cook for a man and he stops me and says, 'Baby let me cook for you,' that is very, very sexy."

Can you cook?

"I have a natural talent for cooking, but I just don't have anyone to cook for. So I don't do it. When I do cook, though, I don't use recipes, I experiment."

What is your ultimate gift?

"True love! Material things are great, and I can buy a lot of things, but you can't really buy happiness and you can't buy love. Material gifts can only buy temporary happiness. But if I could have the ultimate gift, it would have to be true love."

Is it hard to find true love in Hollywood?

"Absolutely! Even more so if you are a familiar face. You don't really know if people love you for you or for who you are. Time will only tell."

Do you think the fact that you have dated black men has stigmatized you in Hollywood?

"It can, but you have to do what you feel is right in your heart and be with the person you want to be with and not with the person everyone thinks you should be with."

What's up with Dennis?

He was on jay Leno saying the two of you may get re-married. How true is that?

"We've been talking about if for a while now ... but I really feel we need time to ourselves so that we can figure out what we truly want in our lives. You have to love yourself before you can love anyone else."

What attracted you to Dennis?

"He was there for me at some really trying times, and I really saw a side of him that no one really knows. That was when I started to fall for him. But there is something about that excitement, and I'm not afraid of a challenge."

What did your family think of you and Dennis?

My mother never really got to meet Dennis, but my dad and Dennis went to Vegas and really hit it off."

What do you do to keep a body like yours so fit?

"I had to hire a nutritionist. Other than that, I would have to say mostly chicken...chiken breasts. But whenever I crave something, I eat it. I also have a trainer (Steve Hearn) who trains me three times a week, and I also to Taebo."

What would you say is your best "ass-set"?

"Hmm ... (smiles) I guess I would have to say mv eves. You can tell a lot about a person through their eyes."

Where is your ultimate dream vacation spot?

"Bali, because there you can be free, and I just want to be free."

Tell our readers one of Carmen's best bedtime stories. Do you have to tell men bedtime stories?

"If they're with me, I'll put them to sleep (use your imagination)! No need for a bedtime story."

If you had a leading role, what male star would you like to be opposite you?

"Brad Pitt!"

What is in the near future for Carmen Electra?

"I have a film with Keenan-Ivory Wayan coming out on March 31st. It's called Scary Movie. He was very supportive and thoughtful. In one scene, the killer rips off my blouse and skirt, and I'm in a bra and panties, running through water sprinklers. It was freezing cold, but Keenan had jackets and heaters waiting on me. Keenan was such a pleasure to work with."

Where do you see yourself in three or four years?

"I really see myself having a family. I want a bunch of kids."

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