Tara De Leon comes to us from our friends at American Model Management. She’s a beautiful full Filipina model who currently lives in Los Angeles and works with a jewelry designer. She’s different than your average sexy Asian girl. Talking to her you get a sense that she’s very intelligent with a little bit of gangster mixed in. She’s a bonafide hustler.

We shot her in the military outfit because her boyfriend is in the Air Force. Yes, I know what you guys are thinking… dammit she has a boyfriend. That’s okay, because we still got some nice pictures for your fantasies.

What do you like to do for fun?

Tara De Leon: It really depends on my mood. I’m more of a homebody. But I do like to go to the movies or do anything with my friends. We pretty much just like to go eat. Try out new places and such.

What’s the best place for date night?

Tara De Leon: I don’t have a favorite. I usually leave that up to the guy. I’m not a picky person. I consider myself to be pretty laid back so I’m pretty much down for anything. I like to leave it up to him. My most memorable date would be at the Getty Museum.

What was your WORST first date?

Tara De Leon: A friend of mine set me up with a good friend of hers. She was talking up this guy for a week saying how he’s really successful, well put together, good guy, etc. Night of the date arrives and he picks me up in his new BMW. Next thing I know we went to a Burger King. Haha now I’m not that picky, but Burger King?!?

The next stop was at a club but it was a strip club his friend owned. I went home right after.

But it really wasn’t the Burger King that made the date all that bad. It was the strip club.

What do you have against strip clubs?

Nothing. I think they’re fun, but I prefer not to see you get a lap dance on our first date. And NO, I don’t want a lap dance myself either.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

The only thing that comes to mind is snowboarding on a hill I was definitely not ready for. It was my first time snowboarding and my brothers had gone so many times before that they were able to trick me into going on the expert trail. I didn’t know which lift was for which hill. They assured me it was fine to go on their lift… wrong! I made it down the hill alive, but barely. I wanted to kill them afterwards.

You’re in a relationship. Why is he the right guy for you?

He has a lot of the qualities that I’ve always wanted in a man. He is funny, caring, sweet, intelligent, but is masculine and protective. He challenges me. He inspires me. He reminds me of how my dad is with my mom. I’m happy with him.

What is something you want to do before death that would make you happy with your life?

Well 2 things in 2 different categories. Career-wise I’d like to play the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, a Broadway musical. It’s always been my dream to play this role. I’ve auditioned for it a couple of times before.

In my personal life I would like to have my own family.

What’s something very few people know about you?

That I love sports. Football especially. I even have the Sports Center app on my phone. I also used to run poker games in NYC and LA. They may or may not have been legal. You can call it the hustla in me.

How do you seduce a guy?

Here’s a quote I like. “All really great lovers are articulate, and verbal seduction is the surest road to actual seduction.” – Marya Mannes

She’s an American author and literary critic.

What are your 3 tips to being an attractive man?

1) Know what you want.

2) Don’t be afraid to hurt my feelings, but don’t do it on purpose.

3) PDA is perfectly acceptable in moderation.

What mistakes do you think guys are making right now in the dating world?

Combination of things. Not knowing what they want. Not being man enough to step up to something. Making excuses for why they won’t step up. Fear of what’s next. I think it all starts with knowing what you want.

Any last words?

Thank you to Amped Asia for a great shoot and fun interview. I look forward to working with you again and to see the finished product.

Makeup by Angel Nguyen. Photos by Kevin Hype.

Written by Editorial Staff