Inside Carmen's Heartbreak

When Carmen Electra invited OK into her home last week for an exclusive photo shoot, she looked calm and happy despite her split from rocker husband Dave Navarro.

As the mercury soared on one of . the hottest days of the year, Carmen, 34, kept her cool, posing in her most stylish bikinis, in and around the pool of her stunning Beverly Hills home. Her biggest concern was that her beloved dogs, Daisy and Kiko, were sheltered from the blistering heat.

However, behind the facade of good humor and professionalism, Carmen was in turmoil over the breakdown of her 2004 marriage to the Jane's Addiction guitarist, whom she married on TV in their reality show, 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave.

The couple fell passionately in love after meeting on a blind date in 2000. Despite two failed marriages between them, they were convinced that this relationship would last.

Now, just two and a half years later, the couple has announced that they have split amicably. But a source close to Carmen told OK that she is "devastated," and is still determined to save her marriage.

"He got jealous of her," the source said. "Her career took off. It started with the MTV show. It focused on her, and he started getting jealous from that and then her career took off.

"Now she's doing Cheaper by the Dozen, which is a big motion picture. She's doing two movies at a time, and his music career went down. He was definitely jealous of her."

Their problems were compounded by frantic work schedules. "They were working worlds apart," adds the source. "She was in London for two months filming a movie, and he was shooting Rock Star."

Towards the end of their relationship, Carmen and Dave were "living separate lives. I think at one point they were even considering therapy to work it out, but their schedule is too crazy. At her birthday at a New York nightclub, he didn't have one friend there. They were staying in separate hotels and they arrived separately."

The source told OK, "She bet a lot on this relationship. She was really in love with this guy, especially after the whole Dennis [Rodman] fiasco." (Carmen was married to the basketball star for five months.)

Carmen recently told OK that shooting 'Til Death Do Us Part was "a great experience" and didn't put a strain on their relationship because it only focused on their wedding. "We have all this footage of our wedding, and the show was really successful. It was the number-one premiere of an MTV reality show in MTV history, and that was really cool."

From day one, Carmen and Dave were devoted to each other: She called him "Bird," and he christened her "Mouse." He even had her initials tattooed on his chest. They planned to have children together. Carmen revealed to OK earlier this year, "I'm excited to be a mom, but right now there's so much work. I think I need to go on and continue to focus on the work and then focus more on being a mom."

Dave appeared to be the answer to Carmen's prayers after a traumatic few years and a string of bad-boy rocker boyfriends including Tommy Lee, Fred Durst, Kid Rock and Cypress Hill's B-Real. She once confessed, "There's something about a creative guy who has a little edge," she explained. "But I don't judge them for their music. I love them for who they are."

While Carmen remained devoted to Dave, he threw his frustrations with her growing career into carousing with his Rock Star co-host Tommy Lee, brushing off rumors of infidelity.

Asked whether Dave had been unfaithful to Carmen, the source close to her said: "I'm pretty sure. It came out that they found his car at some girl's house. But knowing him and the way he was jealous, they weren't having much of a relationship."

There are also arguments that Carmen was putting her career before starting a family. "He wanted kids," the source revealed. "She said, 'No, let's wait a bit.' Her career really took off - she had the MAX Factor deal and movie deals."

Born Tara Leigh Patrick in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a musician dad and proud mom Patricia, Carmen moved to L.A. at 18 to be spotted by Prince, who renamed her and signed her to his Paisley Park label. In 1993, she released a self titled album. In 1996, Carmen showed off her stunning curves in Playboy, an appearance that was soon followed by a regular role filling Pamela Anderson's red bathing suit in Baywatch from 1997 to 1998.

But while Carmen's career was booming, she was hit by a horrific double tragedy. Her sister Debbie died of a heart attack in her sleep, and just two weeks later, her mother died from brain cancer.

The actress threw herself into a whirlwind round of parties with her then­boyfriend Dennis Rodman, culminating in a Las Vegas wedding and a marriage that lasted just five months. Carmen told Glamour magazine, "He was such a fun person to be around, and we went out every night. I remember thinking, this is my out. I'm just going to have fun, and I'm not going to worry apout anything."

Recently, Carmen's personal life appeared to be running smoothly while her career has been on fire. She is the spokesperson for MAX Factor. She has also been touring America with her dance troupe, The Bombshells, whom she calls "a contemporary, burlesque cabaret act." She released an aerobic striptease video and is the face of Head to Hollywood, a brain cancer charity inspired by her mother's death.

For the OK shoot, Carmen shed her personal troubles to reveal what a famous sex symbol and beach babe chooses to wear on a hot relaxing day at home.

Usually no shrinking violet, Carmen kidded around with her stylist and photographer at her home, and made sure that her poolside outfits didn't show too much.

We can also reveal that Carmen is not the kind of star to starve herself. As she posed by the pool, she happily tucked into sliced turkey and a chopped salad, washed down with several cans of Pepsi.

Here, in an emotional and revealing interview, Carmen opens her heart to OK about her future without Dave. Our source said, "Carmen wants to work things out and give Dave a second chance, despite all the rumors." Carmen told OK, "I am not the kind of person that dwells on the past," she said. "I am always looking ahead. Dave and I continue to support each other in every way."

The shoot is amazing - how do you stay looking so good?

When I went to London to shoot , I started doing yoga again, which I really enjoy. I think yoga is so good for your body. I wasn't strict about what I was eating while I was there, and sometimes I think when you aren't so obsessed about what you are eating, it's easier to maintain your weight.

Describe your style...

I think it's kind of different all the time, depending on my mood. Sometimes I feel glamorous, like old Hollywood glamour, sometimes rock 'n' roll, other times maybe more bohemian and some­times more ladylike.

You look amazing in a bikini. Do you love the summer?

Yes, I love hot, humid weather. I actually like Miami weather.

What are your top diet and fitness tips?

It's important not to get bored with your workout. I am actually looking into taking belly-dancing classes because I think that would be a lot of fun [laughs]. With my diet, as I mentioned earlier, I try not to be so obsessed with it. I try to watch what I eat, but if there is something I really crave, I go for it!

You're good friends with Jessica Simpson. How did you two become close?

Through our hairstylist, Ken Paves.

You are so busy - are you taking some time oR for yourself now?

No, I would love to take a vacation, but there hasn't been any time. I enjoy working, so I don't mind. I don't know how to relax, anyway. This is why yoga is good for me. I must learn to make time for vacations.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I have a few things in the works, but some upcoming films are I Want Candy, and Bob Bailey's Disco Balls. I want to continue working and enjoy what I do.

Your fans are all wishing you well - what do you want to say to them?

My fans are the best, and I appreciate their support. I realize that without the fans there would be no work, and I really love them. They are always there for me!

Is there one thing that you have not yet achieved that you would really like to?

Of course. I am not the kind of person that dwells on the past. I am always look­ing ahead. So with work, I always feel like I can do better or take something one step further.

Would you still like to have kids?

Yes.

What are you like: Do you love the red carpet or do you prefer a night at ho~e on your sofa?

I am both! It depends on my schedule and my mood.

Finally, what is the biggest misconception about you?

That I am 5' 9". I am really 5' 3". I have actually heard people arguing over it! If they see me somewhere, they aren't sure if it's me because they think I would be taller!

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