Daniel/LLM:  We’ll go easy on you, at least for a little bit.

 

William/LLM:  What lead you down the path to be a model instead of the path of a 9-5 career? 

 

Tana Leggo:  As a teenager I was told I should model. I never really looked at it as a profession and basically dabbled in it as a hobby. After I was guided to an agent, I began really immersing myself in modeling to see where it would go and realized I could do it full time. I’ve feel very blessed to have had the wonderful opportunities I’ve had, and never really imagined I would be this busy! My life is controlled chaos, I don’t know that I could ever adapt to normality or a “regular” job!

 

William/LLM: How does modeling scene in Louisville compare to other cities you have worked in? Which has been your favorite?

 

Tana Leggo: Louisville offers a lot of great opportunities in fashion and commercial modeling. A lot of people do not realize that you can be in a mid size market and still work nationally. It’s proximity to other cities makes it a great location as a home base for me. I love Chicago, in fact, the work I get there is very similar the type of modeling I do in Louisville and Cincinnati. Working in Miami was completely different for me than the Midwestern cities. It’s all about fashion, it’s fast paced and sexy! That and a good Mojito is always close by!

 

William/LLM: What is the biggest city that you have worked in so far? Is there a major city that you haven't worked in but you hope to someday?  

 

Tana Leggo: Most recently, Chicago. I do a lot of work in Cincinnati and have modeled in Miami. I have yet to work in L.A. but I’m slated to do some work there this winter. I think it would be cool to work internationally, Paris and Tokyo are goals. I like to set the goal and then work to see how I can make that happen!

 

William/LLM: You are not only a model, but you have done some acting as well, which do you enjoy most, the acting or the modeling?

 

 

Tana Leggo: It’s hard to say. I enjoy both, because they are so different for me. I’ve always been comfortable in front of the camera, and I’m used to doing television commercials. However, acting required me to step outside of my comfort zone because I actually had to speak instead of just relying on facial expressions or body language. My favorite character so far was playing an evil princess who has daddy issues. That was so fun!

 

Daniel/LLM:  Was music something you also wanted to do? Why isn’t it in the list?

 

Tana Leggo: Because I can’t sing or play an instrument! I love music, meeting musicians and being open to all different genres of music. In the radio gigs, I have interviewed my fair share of musicians, comedians and other various public figures. Some of whom I now count among my friends. (Resisting the urge to name drop!) The radio work tends to be more variety and not necessarily just music focused.

 

William/LLM: Tell us about the radio show you co-host. What is the focus of the show and what time could one find it?

 

Tana Leggo: Recently I have been asked to be a guest co-host on the nationally syndicated ManCow Muller Radio Show which broadcasts out of Chicago and is picked up in 60 markets nationwide. It’s a talk radio show that covers a wide range of topics and highlights the personality of the host Erich ManCow Muller. It is also broadcast on the Fox Television affiliate in Chicago. www.mancow.com for station guide. The show is so dysfunctional, high energy, ADD like, but you can’t stop listening! I highly recommend it to jump start anyone’s morning!

 

Daniel/LLM:  What got you wanting to be a co-host for a radio show?

 

Tana Leggo: I was asked by local radio host CJ Cumberland to be a guest host on his show back in the spring. From there I began doing radio on a regular basis with Shawn Pierson who hosts a radio program in Louisville called Made In 502. While working with the singer David Allan Coe this summer, I met a fellow named Nick Huffman from Chicago. He and I hit it off instantly and he invited me to meet the producers of The ManCow Show.

 

William/LLM: Being a foodie, how do you manage to keep in such great shape? 

 

Tana Leggo:? Haha! Being a foodie and a model was not well thought out, was it? That’s a tough one! I guess moderation. I absolutely love to cook and bake. When I make desserts, I usually give most of them away to friends and neighbors. It help keeps me thin and popular! Haha! I also work out about 2 hours a day 5 days a week. Let’s face it; I’m not giving up a good beer and a cheeseburger on occasion!

 

Daniel/LLM:  How often do you get hit on or even stalked?  Surely, you have self defense knowledge, right? Kickboxing?  Or just such cool one liners that Chuck Norris would be intimidated.

 

Tana Leggo: How do I answer this without sounding terribly immodest?! I get hit on fairly regularly. It is usually quite flattering and doesn’t bother me at all. Occasionally however, you get the creepy guy who can’t take a polite “no” for an answer.  Usually a warning works. If not, letting them know I’m usually armed is helpful as well!

 

Daniel/LLM:  What is one of the best pickup lines you ever heard?

 

Tana Leggo: It would be much easier to tell you the worst! The best pick up lines don’t sound like pick up lines! Generally, sincerity works well!

 

Daniel/LLM:  What’s the near future looking like for you as far as career is concerned? You are quite the busy lady!

 

Tana Leggo: I have big goals for 2014, so hopefully this rollercoaster keeps on going! I have some exciting modeling assignments coming up and a few really exciting opportunities that unfortunately I can’t talk about because of non disclosure agreements I’ve had to sign! But keep watching! While modeling is my focus, I’ll be even more involved in radio and television as well!

 

Daniel/LLM:  Do you have a special someone you can share this lifestyle with? And is that tough to juggle with your career? This answer could very well help you keep from being stalked.

 

Tana Leggo: I’ll keep that to myself! Don’t want to kill the fantasy! Haha! 

 

Daniel/LLM:  Where is the best website people can go to keep up with everything about Tana Leggo?

 

Tana Leggo: Right now the best places to find me would be Heymantalent.com and Lillystalent.com. Just to keep up with my daily shenanigans, I can be found at Tana Leggo on Facebook.

 

Daniel/LLM:  And do you love Legos?

 

Tana Leggo: How could I not!

 

Daniel/LLM:  Surely, you expected that question.  So what is your fondest memory of Legos?

 

Tana Leggo: My brothers and I played with Lego’s daily. So thinking about those memories makes me smile. My unhappiest memory was realizing I’m not any relation to the Lego family that started the business, and I likely won’t see any inheritance!

 

 

Daniel/LLM:  Do you think a great compliment to you would be a Lego figure of you?

 

Tana Leggo: Most definitely! Can you make that happen, Daniel?

 

Daniel/LLM:  Any strange fan appreciation for your skills? Or is the field of modeling light on a celebrity fan base scale?

 

Tana Leggo: The concept of a fan was foreign to me. I mean, what have I done? But oddly enough, this past year I’ve actually been receiving fan mail and messages. A lot of it is from girls who want to get into modeling, asking for advice. I respond to all it, because I find it very touching. As far as “strange” appreciation, when I was in Chicago this month, I was contacted by a magazine publisher who had one of my pictures blown up to put in his office. He asked me to stop by and autograph it! I only refer to it as “strange” because I didn’t quite get why he wanted my picture in his office next to his autographed picture of Hunter S. Thompson and other notable celebrities. Let’s just say I was blushing!

 

Daniel/LLM:  Is there anything else you’d like to add?

 

Tana Leggo: Yes! Doing what I’m doing makes me intensely happy. I think more people should do what they love and not lose that childlike curiosity and lust for life. Sometimes it’s difficult to step outside of your comfort zone, but take the leap, it is well worth it! I am also so very appreciative to everyone who supports and encourages me.

 

Daniel/LLM:  Let’s get that last signature question to you.  Let’s say you were on a runway modeling a piece of clothing you designed.  The background screen was images of the landscape of a certain planet. What were you modeling and what planet were the images from? Oh, and why that particular planet?

 

Tana Leggo:  I would design and wear a retro bathing suit. The planet would be Venus, because it has the hottest temperatures! Heat and intensity! That’s what I want to project!

 

Daniel/LLM:  Thanks a lot for your time. Now go get out there and do your thing! We wish you the best.

 

Tana Leggo: Thank you so much, Daniel! It has been a pleasure!

 

Story and interview by

Daniel C. Morrison and Will Muir – Louisville Limelight Magazine