WORDS Victor Melendez PHOTOGRAPHY Bruno Talledo

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Is there anything sexier than a tough girl who can whup some ass and still rock it like a superstar in sexy heels and jeans? This month, OYE has brought you a real live war veteran with curves to die for. Destiny Monique Arredondo proves that she is more than just a pretty face. The former Marine Corps Sergeant talks about modeling, a career in entertainment, loving men, and getting naked.

Congratulations on appearing in the pages of OYE. Does it ever get old being the hot chick that everyone is lusting over?
Definitely not.

Were you popular in high school or were you the ugly duckling?
Oh no. I wasn’t really, really popular because my mom was really strict; but I was nominated most beautiful. Unfortunately, I didn’t win.

Who beat you out, I mean, c’mon?
There were some pretty hot girls back in high school. Everyone got to party and drink and go out so they made themselves more popular, but my mom was really strict, so I was lucky to have even made it onto that list.

Do you enjoy playing dress up?
I love it.

What’s your favorite thing about it?
I think my favorite thing is that I feel sexy. Because I was in the Marines, I was a little bit tomboyish, so being able to be totally sexy and a girl is fun for me. I love it.

I read that you joined the Marines right out of high school. Was it tough being a female Marine among all those guys?
Well, yeah, it was pretty tough. I was really serious and pretty strict when I was in there because you want to be taken seriously, especially as a pretty girl.

What was your rank when you left the Marines?
I was a Sergeant when I got out.

What was your occupational specialty?
3381, food service.

Now that you have left the Marines, are you still a tough chica or are you a girly-girl?
Well, I am definitely not as tough as when I was in, but I would say that I have definitely gotten a bit more girly. Not totally girly, I mean, I am still tomboyish. All of my friends think that, compared to all the other models, I am definitely a little more tomboyish.

Let’s say your man asked you to play paintball; do you think you could handle yourself?
Oh, definitely. I have played before. Actually, my girlfriends wanted to get together a couple of weekends ago but I didn’t make that one. I played a couple of times when I was in the Marines. It’s been a while but I have played it a few times.

I was going to ask if you had all the equipment and everything…
Oh, no. I am not that serious about it. Well, now I have to watch it because now I am modeling so you don’t want all the bruises from paintball.

Now that we have established that you remind me of my next girlfriend, what do you look for in a guy?
Um… in a guy? He definitely has to be nice. I like sensitive, nice, caring, funny, sweet guys. That’s the type that I like. I don’t like arrogant guys because there are a lot of ‘em out here in L.A. I like really nice attentive guys. Looks-wise, I like somebody that takes care of himself and goes to the gym because I do, so I need someone to workout with me and keep up. Other than that, I am not too, too picky.

That’s good to know; that means I have a shot.
(Laughs)

What music gets you in the mood?
I like R&B. I like slow music. I like Prince. That kind of stuff gets me in the mood. Prince is my favorite artist.

Can you salsa?
A little bit.

Who is your favorite salsero?
I don’t know. I don’t have one.

I read that you once locked lips with another lady. Is that something you enjoyed?
Ooh, where did you read that?

FHM…
No, no, no, no. That was actually a misprint. I do not get down like that. No, I am totally straight and I love men.

Oh, so you have never kissed a woman?
No, no. I mean, I have pecked my girlfriends before but nothing like…I have never made out with a woman. I know, they published a misprint. I had told the guy, “oh, I know you want me to say that I make out with my girlfriends every night” and he ended up putting that in.

I was gonna say, I am sure Mami may have something to say about that?
Oh, no. She’s read it, my aunts have read it; I told my mom about that. I am totally straight. What’s so funny is that I used to live in West Hollywood so I’m like, “oh no, I don’t want people to think I am gay now.”

So what is your heritage?
I am Spanish and Mexican. My dad is Spanish and my mom is Mexican.

So you definitely speak Spanish then?
No. I speak a little bit but not fluently.

Which word do you prefer, Latino or Hispanic?
Neither one bothers me, I mean, both are okay. I really don’t have a preference.

Tell our readers why they should watch XLTV.
There are about four or five really hot hosts. It’s very entertaining; it’s kind of like E! Entertainment. We bring to you, basically, the red carpet and lots of fashion—we are on the Fashion and Beauty Channel. It’s just a really cool Wild on E! kind of feel. We are bringing to you a lot of hot stuff that is going on from fashion to red carpet to out on the town. It’s a really good show.

You have been doing lots of modeling, how long have you been at the game?
I have been doing this for three years now. I have done about three independent films. I just got finished doing a movie with Todd Bridges called Big Ballin’. It’s a cute film. It’s kind of like a teen movie.

What do you hope to accomplish with your entertainment career?
I want to take it as far as I can. I love hosting, modeling, and acting. I love modeling, I love being in front of the camera and I love talking to people. I just want to pursue all three and see how far I can take it.

Does that include Playboy?
Playboy might be an option in the future but right now I am just focusing on hosting, modeling, and acting. I’m a little bit shy when it comes to getting nude but I am not saying that it is not an option in the future. I have never done nudity before.

What projects are you working on now?
Right now, I am just basically hosting the TV show and I am doing a few calendars. Of course, I shot for you guys so I am still doing the modeling. I also want to do some more supportive things for the troops, even if it is just doing some signings on base; I want to give back to the troops. I know they really appreciate it when models go on base, especially when somebody’s in the service. I remember being in Iraq and Kuwait, we were out there for wars and there was this girl. She was just some random model that was in a magazine and they were so impressed and happy. It was crazy.

Hot and sweet? ¡Ay Dios! I’ll take orders from this Sergeant any day!

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