Show&Tell: Jen Chandler of Coyote Ugly

Q: You were a gymnast before you were a dancer?

A: Yes, and that really led to dance. I didn't really start dancing until I was maybe 9 or 10, a little bit older.

Q: How long did you dance?

A: Until I was about 16, and then I continued with cheerleading. I did cheerleading all through college and nationally (in competitions).

Q: Was gymnastics to dancing to cheerleading a natural sort of progression?

A: It's just love of music. When you love music, your body can move to it whether you're cheering, dancing, tumbling or spinning around in circles. If you love music, anybody can dance and pick up the rhythm.

Q: What did you do after college?

A: I went to Salt Lake and I did bartending - you couldn't really dance there - and then I moved out here and opened up most of the party pits on the Strip.

Q: What's dancing at Coyote Ugly like compared to the other places you've worked?

A: The thing about here is, you have to emcee, too. So it's not just dancing. You have to have that personality, you've got to be a little bit crazy, you've got to be able to hold an entire room without (guests) losing focus or direction. You've got to be able to pick up on somebody - you've got that person walking into the room looking a certain way, and you're, like, "Boom! You're mine!"

Q: What do you look for when seeking out a male target?

A: It's so fun, because I can look for anybody (laughs). I can look at the little boy and call him "Justin Bieber." I can look for the old man and call him "Q-Tip." I can look at somebody walking in ...

Q: Timeout. Q-Tip?

A: (Laughs) A Q-Tip is, like beautiful (white) hair on top of your head. And we make fun of bald (guys): "I'm gonna call you Mr. Clean!"

Q: Well, "Q-Tip" could've been worse.

A: You could walk in being a little pretty boy and I'm gonna make fun of you for it. It's a good time, no matter who it is. And the ladies, they're always beautiful. They can join me on my bar, they can drink with me all day, they can have a great time. But the men? (Laughs) Oh, game on. Game on!

Q: Do guys ever get angry and storm out?

A: Yeah, they've stormed out many times, little wussies (laughs). I mean, I've had shots thrown at me. I had a guy try to pull me off the stage. You never know what's going to happen.

Q: Is Coyote Ugly in real life pretty much like "Coyote Ugly" the movie?

A: Very much so.

Q: How is it different?

A: Well, I try not to sing so much (laughs). When I do, it's kind of like, "Oh, God, could she stop?" So if you're looking for a singer, I'm probably not the one. (Laughs.) Oh, and we're not allowed to do fire.