Angeline is a beautiful woman, of this there is no doubt. But (much to Savvy’s relief!) it still takes time and effort to look this amazing. If any woman wants to steal her thunder, she’d better be willing to put in the hours away from the spotlight.

“I’m high maintenance when it comes to how I take care of myself, beauty regimen, working out, foods I eat,” Angeline said. “I’m low maintenance regarding material things. I am very simple.”

That down-to-earth attitude (and work ethic) secured the Albuquerque, N.M. native a spot as a Search for the Million Dollar Woman finalist during her birthday month. In her video blogs, she made it clear she wasn’t just that retouched, too-perfect-to-be-real goddess we saw in her weekly posted pictures.

“Many of my photos are event photos, which are pretty real, and I work tours across the country with the Atlanta import auto parts company NOPI. They have a national TV series on the Speed channel called Tunervision that people recognise me from,” she said.

It’s important for young women who romanticise her lifestyle as a model to realise what it takes to look great pretty much all of the time; people are always watching you. 

“I think people should do what makes them happy, but they should definitely be educated about what they are having done. Having bigger breasts, for example, is not what’s important in life, and it isn’t the key to a perfect body,” she said. “You have to be strong inside before you go making changes -- sometimes permanent -- to the outside.”

Lisa does not buy into the idea that a woman has to fit any one ideal size or shape.

“I think a lot of women feel pressure to be super-skinny, model thin, but I’m pretty sure most guys prefer more athletic or curvy as opposed to stick-thin. And definitely healthy. It’s better to be healthy and energised than being sick and tired.”

Her beauty secret? “I love fruit, especially berries! And I drink LOTS of water. It freaks some waiters out.” It also helps to grow up with a dad who coached football for 23 years and taught his three daughters to be athletic.

With a toned, trim body and exotic Mexican slash Irish looks, she got her start as a spokesmodel and ring-girl for a beer company. (Yum, beer…)

“That led to posters and calendars and touring. I’ve been a spokesmodel for a few years, mainly in the automotive field, working car show tours and events. I’ve appeared in many auto magazines and calendars, plus I do lots of work as a bikini and lingerie model. Over the past few years, modelling has picked up more and more to the point where I am doing it full time. Overtime, actually!”

In fact, Angeline was so busy she barely had time to do this interview, managing to squeeze in some time after an all-day photo shoot and before her long drive home (She has homes in Vegas and L.A. ). She has a man in her life – “my best friend”, she gushes -- but says that getting married and having kids isn’t her top priority right now. Not when there’s a fortune up for grabs.

“I don’t know what to expect when (the finalists) get to Sydney next year, but I’m positive Savvy will make us work for the grand prize! I know the competition will be fierce too. It will be my first time in Australia, so I will definitely take advantage of the trip and see as much of the country as possible,” she said.

Her competition thus far includes fellow American Amanda “Redd” Myers and Ásdís “Icequeen” of Iceland. Now that’s a pillow fight we’d love to see! Like everyone else, Angeline is eager to see who wins the April round.

“Winning in February was an amazing feeling, a mix between excitement, relief and feeling so good to make my supporters proud. With several months left until the finals, I plan on keeping in touch with all my friends at Savvy, keeping them posted on my latest news and whereabouts, and of course I want to make new friends.”

Look for her to support two charities if she wins the big cheque: PetFinder, an organisation for lost, abandoned and homeless animals, and Invisible Children, which helps kids affected by tragedy in Uganda.

She’s getting good practice in case Savvy readers choose her as their Million Dollar Woman, touring this year as a spokesmodel for Falken Tires and appearing frequently at LAX, the hottest nightclub in Las Vegas where she recently won the title of MISS LAX Las Vegas 2008.

Yes, it takes a lot of work to be this hot, but Lisa Angeline makes it look easy.

Much Love To...

Art Director: Candace Rae
Photographer: Barry Smith & Marc Mez www.marcmez.com
Stylist: Fernando Barraza www.fernandobarraza.com
Hair & Makeup: Claire Coleman www.violetclaire.com using Smashbox Cosmetics, and J Beverly Hills Hair products
Video: Gregory McDonald
Digital Retouching: Daniel Parkinson