DS: So how did you get into the import scene?
Kaila: I think it was in 1997 or 1998 when I modeled for a special Lingerie edition of Playboy magazine. From there, SpeedOptions.com found me and introduced me to the import industry.

DS: And what was your impression?
Kaila: I really liked the scene. After all, there were no avenues for Asian models. In many ways, the import scene opened doors and helped to bring acceptance of Asian beauty to the mainstream.

DS: Haven't you gotten some exposure in mainstream magazines?
Kaila: There's been a little editorial on me in both FHM and Stuff. But this would have probably never happened without the explosion of the import scene.

DS: Since graduating college, have you been using your economics degree?
Kaila: Not really. I dabble as a realtor, but my true love is music. Did you guys ever get my original CD that came out about two years ago? I think I sent you a copy.

DS: We got the CD and everyone in the office will tell you that they aren't fans of Pop music. But the truth is Derek took a liking to the CD and we haven't seen it since. He's always singing "let me get up on you." It's really quite disturbing.
Kaila: (Laughing) It's great that someone there liked it. It was so much work to put together the album. But I learned a great deal and it was fun.

DS: How about making the music video?
Kaila: That was so much fun. It was really cool because so many friends were involved. One of my friends provided the night club location and another friend provided the body shop. It was great.

DS: Any new musical projects around the corner?
Kaila: We are going to release a new single in about two weeks. It will be on the "gspot" section of my website. There will be a whole bunch of stuff that you can download for free, so check it out.

DS: Is there another album on the horizon?
Kaila: We are hoping to finish the next album in the next six months.

DS: It has to take a lot of guts to perform in front of a live crowd. Have you always been so outgoing?
Kaila: I've always loved singing, but I'm really a pretty shy and quiet person. In high school, I wasn't really part of the social scene. Once I got to college, things changed big time. I was away from my parents and I went wild and partied.

DS: So if we got your college transcripts, we wouldn't find a 3.6 GPA?
Kaila: No way. I spent as much time as possible in college. Five years. First I was a bio major, but that didn't leave enough time to have fun. I switched to Asian American studies and finally to Economics.

DS: Do you travel a lot?
Kaila: I used to go back to Taiwan every two years. But I actually haven't been back for about four years now. I love going there and eating the food. It's so good. I love to eat all of the push cart food.

DS: Where else have you traveled and what do you remember from each place?
Kaila: I had been to Thailand, Korea, Hong Kong, China and London. Thailand has beautiful transvestites (it's really scary). Korea has tons of beautiful girls and plastic surgeons earn a good living there. Hong Kong is great for shopping. China had great food. London had bad food and bad weather.

DS: The stereotype is that Taiwanese girls are "gold diggers" or materialistic. True?
Kaila: Here's my theory. They say that girls always look for a guy with the same qualities as their father. Since the majority of the Taiwanese that come to the United States are pretty well off, it's believable that the girls would look for financially successful guys. In my case, our family wasn't rich. My last boyfriend was a waiter, so I guess I'm not guilty.

DS: What the biggest misconception people have about you?
Kaila: I'm really quiet and shy and most people take this as me being "bitchy."

DS: Where would you like to be in a few years?
Kaila: If I could just tour and perform my music, I would be happy.

For more on Kaila Yu grab a copy of DSport on newstands and tuning shops nationwide.