Why did you go on Ladette?

My [foster] sister thought it would be good for me. She'd watched previous shows and thought it would be what I needed to calm down a bit - get new skills to learn how to behave. I did it to help myself. I wasn't thinking about how I would come across!

What were you like as a little girl?

I wasn't a girly girl at all. I asked my sister what I was like when she first met me, I was 7 or 8. She said I was really timid and shy!

Why did you go into foster care?

My mum has an illness so I got taken off her when I was 7. Mum and dad split up when I was a baby.

Do you think your family circumstances are the reason you began going off the tracks?

Definitely my past and the way I grew up has a big influence on the way I was, not having the guidance or being told what was right and wrong. I just did my own thing. I mean, I got my own house when I was 16. I had to grow up really quick. After having to be so mature in some ways, I would be immature and act like a kid in other ways, like going out and drinking and doing silly things.

Was this behaviour a cry for attention?

I don't really feel like I did it for attention. Just more 'I'll do what I want and I don't care, because nobody else cares' kind of attitude.

Apparently, you had tried to turn your life around before going on the show but failed. Why didn't it work?

There would be times where I'd think I'll stop dancing because it would just get too much and I'd be in tears when I got home. But I didn't have the motivation to get out there and look for a normal job, so I'd give up and go back to what I knew. I tried to take the easy way out.

Why would you come home from work in tears?

Sometimes the men would get to me with comments. I mean, I always loved my job; I never hated what I did, otherwise I wouldn't do it. But at times it would get to you.

Why did you go into stripping over, say, a job in retail?

I guess growing up with my passion for dancing, because I knew I'm never going to get a real job dancing, that's sort of the next best thing. I never had a problem with my body so I didn't really care.

How much did you earn?

It's never a set wage. Some nights you could make $600, other nights $200. You worked on retainer, so you'd never walk out with less than $200 if you did a set for seven hours.

You say you don't want to go back to stripping. Looking back, are you ashamed?

Not at all. It's a fine job. It takes a lot of guts to do it. I just can't see myself doing it anymore.

So, were the teachers at Eggleston Hall really that strict?

Yeah, they were. But they're also lovely people. Once we were there for a while we realised we needed it. We really needed the constructive criticism, even though they sometimes came across quite harsh and called us things that were unnecessary.

Like what?

Like Mrs Brewer, still to this day I hate her guts. The way she teaches and everything about her is just so ugh. Honestly, I really don't like her because she contradicts everything she says. It'd be, 'ladies don't cross their legs', then you'll walk into her class the next day and she'll be sitting with her legs crossed. Everything that came out of her mouth was just wrong, and she had a problem with me. Every moment she could she'd put me down. She'd give me tips on how to get around when people asked what I did for a living, but then when we'd have guests she'd come up and ask, 'Why don't you tell these people what you do back home?' [The other teachers] were quite genuine, while she's not at all. She's only there to put her two cents in and just be a bitch.

What was the hardest part about being on the show?

Just being so far away from home and not being able to walk out when you've had enough. And you have to suck it up without putting in your two cents. Being under the thumb was hard.

Have you made friends for life?

Definitely. Zoe. She's such a lovely person, the nicest heart I've come across in such a while. I got on well with Sarah, we've had lunch since, and Kristyn I think is lovely. Me and Skye had a really love-hate relationship; we talk a little bit.

Was she really that much of a Ladette?

I think she was just the biggest attention seeker-just doing it for TV. She was completely different to watch on TV; she's not that at all. She comes across like she's trying hard, but in real life she wasn't. Every time she'd walk out the door she'd be acting like a dickhead. It was only when she got offered the prefect badge that she'd want us to cooperate, and we didn't want to because she was always the worst one! Someone had to show her you can't act like that and get the respect you want when you ask for it.

Has she changed since the show?

After speaking to her she said she's back to being a Ladette. I think her friends are what bring her down. She's got a lot of potential but she doesn't care.

What lessons have you have taken away from the show?

Having self-respect and being able to be confident. It didn't happen straight away - up until the fourth week I was planning to return to stripping. But in the final two weeks I changed, decided then and there I was going to go for something different. Once I thought about the reality of coming home, that's what made me realise I don't want that for myself. After watching myself on TV and seeing the way I carry on when I'm that drunk, I've learnt to control my drinking; a few drinks instead of drinking the whole bottle! The way I talk. I'm trying to keep my anger under control. It was a big eye opener.

Was it strange returning home?

Yeah, it was really different. I didn't like it at first. I wanted to go back, which is weird, because when I was there I wanted to come home. I felt like this is something I need to do for a long time to make it stick. I already feel like a better person.

Are you worried about falling back into old habits?

Basically my occupation had to change. I'd drink so much; leaving work to go to the pubs and carry on like an idiot. My job was one thing I needed to change to better myself.

Who is your favourite celebrity?

I love Angelina Jolie. She's my idol. She's the most beautiful woman in the world. She's an amazing woman to go through all she's gone through and be so strong. She's got the best heart. I'd absolutely love to follow in her footsteps. If I had the money I'd be helping out everyone as well.

Tell us about your boyfriend?

He's Richard, and he's 32. He's in prison for an armed-robbery. We've been together 3 years. He's getting out in two months.

Is he someone who's good to be around?

Yeah, yeah. Honestly, he's been trying to help me out for a while. He's always tried to get me on the straight and narrow and is completely happy with how I've come back. I think he's changed a lot and it's a place I don't see him going again. He just wants to get a business up and running.

Do you have marriage/family plans?

Yeah, definitely. We talk about it all the time. I always said growing up I wouldn't get married, but I've changed a lot over the last two years and I can't wait to get kids and get married.

Your advice for other Ladettes?

There could be so many different issues for why people are the way they are, but I've noticed some girls are the way they are to fit in with people, so I'd just say "You don't have to carry on like that. It's not going to get you anywhere good in life. Anyone can do what they want to do if they put their mind to it. "

Do you have a new job?
I'm doing a 10 week course at the moment in horticulture. I've always loved flowers and gardening and we got a chance to do it on the show. It's not something I'll do for the rest of my life because I still want to chase my dreams. I've always wanted to be an actress or a dancer. I definitely want to try harder to get into TV. Before it was just a dream that I didn't try for.