“The Mercury Girl” Making Her Mark In Hollywood

You might have seen her on Maxim’s list of Hot 100 Women or possibly in FHM, perhaps you recognize her face from the Lincoln Mercury commercials; regardless of where, Jill Wagner standing at 5’ 8” is hard to forget! A North Cacalacky native, Jill graduated Sigma Cum Laude in Business from North Carolina State, which means, yes gentlemen she is more than just a pretty face. Packing her bags and heading to Los Angeles on gut feeling, Jill quickly made her mark in Hollywood. Initially signing with friend and modeling agent Alex Fox from CSD, Jill realized the modeling world was not for her. Going on calls, walking into a room full of hundreds of women that looked just like her, seemed pointless. Luckily it only lasted a short while, after landing a job on MTV’s hit television series Punk’d, as the shows first female regular sketch performer, Jill began her acting career. Her charm and incredible sense of humor kept opportunity knocking, and soon guest star roles on series such as Monk on USA, Quintuplets on Fox, and a recurring role on Dr. Vegas for CBS began to open up.

Although Wagner was making steady strides forward checks were not steadily rolling in. As thoughts of returning to North Carolina began to cloud her head, a call from her manager sealed her stay in LA. On her way to the airport Al Hassas, current manager urged her to go on an open call for Lincoln Mercury who was on the search for a spokeswoman. “Typically I wouldn’t go on an open call, they just seemed like a waste of time, but since it was on the way to the airport I decided to stop. I was a little concerned because Al told me they were looking for a bilingual spokeswoman, which I am not! His advice? ‘Fake it!’” Wagner giggles. Needless to say she went in there, all American and nailed it. There were a series of cuts, from 100’s to 50 to 10 to Jill Wagner as the final pick for Lincoln Mercury’s 2005 Spokeswoman, which she continues to hold as of today. Jill comments, “It’s a good thing it came through, with only $150.00 in my bank account I was ready to go home.”

Taking her first stab in a lead role, Jill embarked on a new challenge in acting. Transforming herself into Krista Starr in Blade: The Series, she played the role of a woman trying to find her brother’s killer and in her quest was infected with vampire blood. Wagner confesses it was “the toughest role” she’s had to play thus far. “I say this because it was the first time I had to carry a series.” Although it only aired for one season, Jill was on the rise, even winning Spike TV’s 2006 honor of “Woman of Action.”

Fast forward two years and Jill Wagner has now become a household name. A feature film with a starring role in the science fiction thriller Splinter, released this past Halloween and currently out on DVD, and perhaps even more exciting is her co-hosting position on the ABC primetime competition reality series Wipeout, proclaimed this summer’s biggest splash! Her play by play commentary along with her contagious laugh has definitely played a significant role in the show’s success.

If you missed out while you were barbequing, no need to fret. Jill, along with special guest Michael Irvin, will co-host a special themed Super Bowl edition that will air during half-time and a post Super Bowl full episode in which cheerleaders will compete against male couch potato sport fans; primetime exposure showcasing Jill’s likeability.

Making all the right moves, Jill Wagner is rapidly becoming a household name and America’s next sweetheart.

get 2 know Ana Ivanovic

Meet the new “It” girl of tennis. Her name is Ana Ivanovic and she has already overtaken Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Venus Williams in the Sony Ericsson WTA tour rankings. “(Fame) happened quite fast for me,” says the 20-year-old beauty from Belgrade, Serbia, now ranked #4 in the world. Last year the affable, pleasant and popular Ivanovic proved she can not only compete with the best, she can beat them too. Three WTA singles victories in Berlin, Los Angeles and Luxembourg were highlights of 2007 but Ana’s defining moment occurred on the red clay of Roland Garros.

“The French Open was an amazing experience because when I was younger, I used to dream of winning grand slams,’’ Ivanovic says. “But in the final with Justine (Henin) I got very emotional and I couldn’t really play my game. It is something that I have learned from. The way Justine handled it, I’m sure she was nervous too, I can learn so much from that. I’m sure next time I’m in the same place I’ll know how to deal with the pressure better. I think it was a necessary experience in order for me to win a grand slam.”

Miss Ivanovic took time out from her busy training for the Australian leg of the 2008 WTA schedule to pose and speak with MOVES in this exclusive interview/photo layout.

Tennis Inspiration(s): Monica Seles. I was watching her on TV when I was four. During the break there was a commercial for a tennis school. I remembered the number and I kept asking my mom to take me there for maybe a month. Finally she agreed. I fell in love with the game straight away and for my fifth birthday my father gave me my first racket.

First Tennis Memory: I remember my first ever lesson. I can’t describe how happy I was. It’s just a simple love for playing the game.

Hobbies/Interests: I love reading, especially history books, historical thrillers and Greek mythology. I spend a lot of time watching DVDs and going to the cinema. I like to have long dinners with my family and friends, I find that very relaxing. I’m also studying Finance at a private university that allows me to take my exams on the Internet. So I am pretty busy away from tennis.

Favorite Movies: The Departed

Favorite TV Shows: 24, Lost and Prison Break

Musical Tastes: Lots of kinds. Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Serbian

Favorite Meal: Asian food, especially sushi and black cod!

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookies and Cream

Pre-Match Feeling/Mindset: I like to be alone for the final moments before a match. I sometimes play some Sudoku and listen to music. This helps me relax, and then just before I go out I start to really think about my tactics for the match.

First Car: A Peugeot 207

Current Car (color): Peugeot 207 (yellow) I only passed my test last year!

Last Book Read: It was a book of Greek mythology

Greatest Moment of Career: Reaching the French Open final in June of this year

Most Painful Moment of Career: If I had to choose one or two, it would be Rome last year. I was playing really well and I got injured during a 6-1 lead and I had to retire. That was very painful physically too!

Favorite Tournaments to play/visit: There are so many! But if I have to choose one, it’s the Australian Open. I have family in Melbourne, and I love to visit there.

Closest Friends from SONY ERICSSON WTA Tour: Daniela Hantuchova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Maria Kirilenko, Sanja Ancic

Funniest Players Encountered: Novak Djokovic. I’ve known him since we were four, and he always made me laugh a lot. It’s fitting that they call him the Joker.

Toughest Competitors Encountered: Henin and the Williams sisters. They’re the only top players I haven’t beaten so far. They’re great players, extremely tough to play against.

Of all the matches you’ve played in your life, what is the best one or two (or whatever) where you felt the best you ever felt on court? Where everything was working, the finest you’ve played?

It’s funny, I often dream about playing the perfect match. But of course that is impossible. Still, I’ve had some pretty good matches. Beating Sharapova 6-2, 6-1 in the semi-finals of the French Open was one of the best. Against Hingis in the Montreal final was also a great match for me. Then there was the match against Schnyder in Stuttgart a couple of months ago, when I won 6-0, 6-2.

Funny Tennis Memory (anything from tennis that made you laugh): My first ever match in front of a big crowd was an exhibition with Mansour Bahrami and Henri Leconte. Those guys are very funny. I was very nervous, because I was so inexperienced, but they were so funny that I was able to relax. They were all the time joking around. Novak Djokovic is also fun to play with – we played together in mixed doubles in Australia two years ago, and we also played a singles exhibition against each other a month or so before that. I was laughing a lot during all those matches.

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: I was playing a junior tournament in Canada some years ago. I was in the player lounge and they called my match. I wasn’t quite ready, so I was in a bit of a rush. I grabbed my bag and ran to the courts. When I got there I realised I had taken someone else’s racket bag! I ran back to the player lounge to return it and get mine. Luckily, whoever it was didn’t realize, but I was still very embarrassed.

Favorite Players to Watch: Roger Federer. He plays some amazing shots. He is always a joy to watch. I also love watching Novak and Janko Tipsarevic, because they are friends of mine who I grew up with.

Most stylish players – on court: I think Roger looks good on court. I always liked Agassi’s outfits too.

Most stylish players – off court: The guys don’t come to the player parties, so I can’t judge them!

If you weren’t a successful pro tennis player, what do you think you would be now?

It’s hard to say. Probably I would be doing something with languages. I love languages.

Last Vacation: After Wimbledon, in July, I went to Malta. It was great – quite isolated, just what I needed. I did very little, just reading and I went for some walks. It was very relaxing.

People Qualities Most Admired: I think it’s important to be driven, to have a goal. I like people who are caring and generous, and also those who have a good sense of humour.

And, last but not least, who was the very first famous tennis player you ever met or encountered (please share story)?

It was Venus Williams. I was playing the French Open juniors and I was with my friend Sanja Ancic, who was also playing. We were in the locker room and she saw Venus and thought it would be fun to have our photo taken with her. She was very nice to us. I still have the picture.

Brandon Jacobs, the best running back of the best rushing attack in the NFL, is sitting in his living room watching football highlights. “Look at that,” he says. “Look how far that guy is off the receiver in the end zone. You’ve got to be in that guy’s face.” It’s the only way Jacobs knows how to play football—head on. In the last year of his current contract with the Giants, Jacobs has been steamrolling the opposition, leaving many other players to scratch their heads and wonder, “How do I bring down a 270-pound running back that moves that fast?”

When Jacobs missed a game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15, it was as if the team’s grind-it-out physical personality was missing. “I could have played against Dallas,” Jacobs said. “I should have played. They wanted to hold me out as a precaution. I’ve had the same injury since Week 3.” Without Jacobs in the lineup, the league’s leading rushing attack stalled and the struggling Cowboys handled the Giants easily, 20-8. When Week 16 arrived, and the Giants were playing the Carolina Panthers for the top seed in the NFC, Jacobs took the field with the same injury. He battered the Panthers for 87 yards and three touchdowns, including one in overtime, to beat the Panthers 34-28. Suddenly, New York writers were wondering if a new MVP candidate had emerged.

Going into free agency, Jacobs has proved how irreplaceable he is not only in his efficient rushing, but in his bruising, crowd-pleasing style as well. His performance in 2008 has set the stage for a lucrative second act to his career. “I hope I’m not a free agent,” Jacobs says referring to his clear preference to stay with the team that he helped lead to a championship. “But whatever happens, happens. I’m excited.” As he should be. On the day we are in his home to photograph Jacobs in his new clothes, a giant billboard of Jacobs is being raised in the middle of Times Square as part of Under Armour’s new campaign. There will be more people looking at Jacobs’ billboard at one time then there will be in his entire hometown of Napoleonville, Louisiana. Population: 686.

Nevertheless, the big man from the small town is ready to put the Giants on his broad shoulders. “The expectations are definitely much bigger this year after winning the Super Bowl and having the best record in the NFC,” Jacobs says. “But that’s the way it should be.” Jacobs faces the expectations the same way he carries the football-head on.

Erin Andrews – Puts Sexy Into Sportscasting

Looks like the sports world is taking a new approach to tackling sideline reporting. When Playboy runs online polls for “Sexiest Sportscaster,” and ESPN roster talent Erin Andrews is bestowed the sexy title, a new day in sports has arrived. I introduce to you Erin Andrews, a self-professed sports junky. Although this blonde bombshell didn’t participate in any particular sport per-say she grew up on the couch next to her dad an avid sports fan watching the Red Sox, Celtics and any-other sport in season. Who knew that father-daughter bonding time would prepare her for one on one’s with some of the most exciting athletes known in sports today.

Andrews graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and returned to Tampa to intern for a local television station where her father currently works as an investigative reporter. Apparently a love for sports isn’t the only passion Erin inherited from dad. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out she’d definitely draw viewers to what was probably the worst team in the NHL during that time…Tampa Bay Lightning. Erin became a rink-side reporter for the local Tampa station and quickly gained a fan base as she traveled with the team city to city. “I didn’t know anything about hockey. I probably studied harder to learn the in and outs of the game than I did in school,” Erin chuckles.

TBS was her next fulltime gig and after allowing a two year contract to expire, Erin was once again a free agent, but the timing couldn’t have been better. Her beloved underdogs, The Lightening, had laced up their skates and started to play a little competitive hockey; played so well in-fact that they skated and slapped their way as a playoff Stanley Cup hopeful. Supporting what had become like family, Erin cheered rink side and by the end one of the games, made her way to ESPN staff covering the event. Securing the proper contact that night that would lead her to lock in a three month contract, Erin found herself reporting once again, getting exclusive interviews with 2004 Tampa Bay Lightening Stanley Cup Champions as ESPN’s official event coverage.

Fast forward to 2008, Erin Andrews is becoming an even greater part of the ESPN’s pool of talent, and just signed another lucrative three-year contract to be one of the most recognizable faces on the network. Diving into her trade head first, Andrews is now the lead sideline reporter for Monday Night Major League Baseball on ESPN (May-Sept), Thursday Night Prime Time Football (Sept-Dec), and Big Ten Baskeball ( Jan-May). She will also lead off SportsCenter’s breaking news stories from her assigned game locations.

All of this while bearing the incredible weighted title of Playboy’s online 2007 “America’s Sexiest Sportscaster,” just another day in the life of… m

Utah Jazz – Housing the Best of Both Worlds

One of the great debates when analyzing teams with dynamic duos…who is more important the guard or the big man? Magic or Kareem, Bird or McHale, Jordan vs. Pippen, Stockton and Malone; the question now flutters around Utah Jazz young’ins Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. The answer? One cannot exist without the other. With the stats these two youthful ballers are putting up, it’s impossible to argue one side over the other. Williams is adding an impressive average of 19.4 points and 9 assists per game, while Boozer is doing more than his part with an average of 23.5 points and 11.3 rebounds this season.

Where does this seemingly veteran composure come with these tender 20 something’s…with advisors like John Stockton and Karl Malone, it can almost be expected. What makes a young man wise is the acknowledgement that greatness is partially learned from those whom came and achieved before him. Williams did not hesitate to tap into the expertise of John Stockton in the off season. Taking advantage of one on one sessions with the All- Star point guard who gave Williams advice of how to improve his game, and equipped him with specific work-outs before returning for the ‘08 season, didn’t take a second thought. And Boozer coincidentally has a mentor/pupil relationship with none other than Carl Malone. It makes sense that the pair of duos would lend themselves to a comparison. Although a complement Boozer explains, “Deron and I are no way near the caliber of those two hall of famers,” Williams chips in, “we have way more to prove before we earn a comparison of that magnitude.” And proving…they are.

The inside/outside game of these two are seamless, each giving praise to the other. “As such a young player, Williams is so confident, so poised on the court, he’s definitely a huge key in our success,” Boozer boasts of his guard counterpart. Williams mirrors the complement by claiming “with Booz on my side, it makes it difficult to even contemplate going to another team.”

And it’s side by side that these two captains lead their team. Rather than “do as I say, not as I do,” they step onto the court each game and lead by action. Both accustomed to leading, Boozer finished as Duke’s all time leader in field goals (3rd in ACC history) and Williams took the 2nd all time leader in assists at his ala mater, University of Illinois; the pair were being groomed for their position on the Jazz even before they knew it, and fit like pieces to a puzzle.

With more than basketball in common, these guys bring a bit of old school class to Utah…both given accolades as the team fashionistas. Each takes the same pride off the court as on. Sporting the latest trends of fashion, perhaps the ongoing debate should center around who really takes the title as the team “Style Maven.”

The luxurious AAA Four-Diamond Grand Bohemian Hotel in downtown Orlando, Florida is billed as “An Experience in Art and Music.” Featuring an elegant early 20th century European/Bohemian theme, this Kessler Collection property boasts 250 boutique-style rooms including 36 signature suites.

The Grand Bohemian Hotel showcases over 200 pieces of artwork from renowned artists worldwide. The hotel is also home to a rare Imperial Grand Bösendorfer piano, one of only two in the world. Additional features at the property include the award-winning Boheme restaurant, swanky Bösendorfer Lounge, Klimt Rotunda, Grand Bohemian Art Gallery, Starbucks®, 9,600 square feet of meeting space, a 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour room service and the Bohemian Garden, which encompasses an exquisite pool and sundeck.

For reservations or more information, call 407.313.9000 or visit www.grandbohemianhotel.com. www.kesslercollection.com

If there were a holiday for sexiness, it would be the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Each November, the most beautiful women in the world gather to show off the company’s most lustful creations. And each year, the show becomes bigger, better, and a lot more sexier. In case you missed it, Moves brings you a front-row look from the most recent showing at the magnificently renovated and historic Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel. The world-famous hotel was once the scene where Frank Sinatra and friends played cards and James Bond’s Goldfinger was filmed. This past November, it was reborn as the glorious stage hosting a performance by Usher, as well as 35 of the greatest supermodels ever assembled, including Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, and Karolina Kurkova. Lima highlighted the show by wearing a $5 million Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra. And Heidi Klum offered the grand finale, heading down the runway in a red bra and underwear set with wings shaped like a bow to resemble the world’s greatest Christmas present. If these photographs don’t make you want to attend the show next year, nothing else will.

MSG’s Ring Card Girls – Always Get A Nice Reaction From The Fans

WORDS BY mike schoepski photos BY george kalinsky

Madison Square Garden, known as the “Mecca of Boxing” has been staging world-class fights for over 100 years! The greatest fighters in the world – Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Joe Louis, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, and the current heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko – have all plied their trade inside The Garden’s famous ropes…

Ring Card Girls have become an important part of the tradition. For every boxing match inside MSG, Ring Card Girls enter the ring in between rounds to alert fans as to what round is coming up – and they always draw a nice response from the crowd.

Regarding Ford models serving as ring card girls, this was the first time msg had asked professional models to serve as Ring Card Girls. For both fights that they served this duty, designer Nicole Young put together the outfits – from head to toe. She designed costumes that would be sexy, but also easy to maneuver getting in and out of the ring. Look for more of the same with future fights at The Garden…

Noa Neve is a young and talented singer/dancer who’s about to bring some “Desert Heat with an Urban Beat” to the entertainment world. Having grown up singing and dancing in a multi-cultured country like Israel, Noa was exposed to a variety of musical styles and dance disciplines that ultimately lent themselves to what is now her diverse and comprehensive talent range. Although she was exposed to classical music in ballet, jazz and funk in Tap, it was the percussive drums and seductive melodies inherent in Moroccan music that have for her, resonated the most.

Noa’s move to New York City provided the opportunity to continue her training with some of the most talented performers in the business including: Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Ann Reinking and Ben Vereen. By the age of seventeen she was performing in the “Tony” award winning musical “Fosse”. After “Fosse”, Noa was a featured performer in the Broadway smash “Aida” performing along side Toni Braxton, Michelle Williams of the group “Destiny’s Child” and Deborah Cox.

As a singer, she has had a deep fascination melding ancient melodies and ethnic instruments found in Morocco, Israel and through out various Mediterranean cultures. She loves combining the influences from her roots, with the hard hitting, urban music found in New York City. A fusion of two very different yet culturally rich backgrounds.

“Desert Heat with an Urban Beat” is the working title for her recording project, now underway, with production teams in both NY & LA. Sultry melodies, distinct vocal styling mixed with urban pop rhythms provide the ingredients for this exotic, multi-ethnic sound.

Noa writes and sings in English, Hebrew, and Spanish. Most recently she performed in a sold out Madison Square Garden singing with AVENTURA one of the most successful Latin groups in the world.

Also, she is featured in an upcoming Nike campaign shot by renowned photography duo Markus Klinko & Indrani. Whatever she is doing Noa Neve seems to have unique way of adding an exotic, multi-cultural spice to the mix. Desert Heat… Indeed!!! This is the Kind of Global warming we need more of!