We had the pleasure of talking with the adorable Ainsley Bailey, star of Disney Channel’s hit TV series, “Shake it Up.” Ainsley plays Dina Garcia, the spunky yet loveable girlfriend of Deuce Martinez (Adam Irigoyen). This Texas native has quickly become a fan favorite for her engaging personality and effortless comedic timing. Check out our interview with this charming young star and be sure to catch Ainsley on Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up!”

We love you in Shake it Up! What has been your favorite moment with the cast?

Aww thank you so much! Working with the cast and crew has been so much fun, and there’s been a lot of great memories. One of my favorite episodes I’ve done so far is called “Slumber it Up,” and the girls and I have a slumber party and get to wear fun pajamas and eat ice cream and stuff. Those scenes were a lot of fun to shoot because it really felt like we were just hanging out at a slumber party!

Is your style anything like your character Dina?

It’s so funny, because I’ve actually always thought that wearing headphones around your neck (like Dina wears on the show) as an accessory was a super cute idea. I just never thought I could pull it off! So playing Dina gave me the ability to try it out! I think Dina’s style is a bit more on the tomboy side, where as I’m more girly, but we definitely both like bright colors!

How would you describe your personal style?

Sweet, playful, and girly! I wear lots of pink, and I love cute feminine details like lace, ruffles, and ribbon. I love wearing girly rompers, I think they’re so adorable and fun; plus they’re usually super comfy!

Who is your favorite fashion icon?

I’m a big Betsey Johnson fan! I adore her clothes, especially the dresses! Her designs are so girly and pretty, but they’ve got some sass to them too!

What is your favorite item in your closet right now?

I just got these really cute high-waisted vintage Levi’s shorts that I can tell I’m gonna be wearing a LOT! They’re white with cool big dyed patches of bright pink, blue, and yellow. They’re really comfortable and perfect for summer! They remind me of rainbow sherbet!

What is the best fashion tip you can offer your fans?

Wear what makes you happy! I never let the current trends or styles dictate what I wear. I wear what I like and what I feel comfortable in. Don’t try to change your personal style to be something you’re not. It doesn’t matter what’s popular or what the people at your school wear, just be you! Wear whatever makes you feel confident in who you are. Confidence is always in style!

After writing and producing Beach Cruisin,
which received hundreds of thousands of views over the internet, ViceVersa was approached by a few labels, but they are still independent and awaiting the right deal. ViceVersa’s Moodring Mixtape will drop in April 2012. This mixtape is a major crossover project! Being that the brothers were born in Chicago, and lived in Phoenix half their lives, ViceVersa has created a mixtape that will touch all influences of music culture around them. From the essence of true hiphop and r&b soul the east coast gives, all the way to the pop culture, and techno influence of the Scottsdale, Arizona club scene. ViceVersa has created a project that will be special to every ear that listens. Please support and buy ViceVersa “YOU” on itunes.

ViceVersa “YOU” video link…..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mzz-DFsASI

ViceVersa “YOU” itunes link…http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/you/id508570684?i=508570687

Washington-native Amber Lancaster worked as a Seattle Seahawks Sea Gal for five consecutive seasons starting at the age of 18. Since then, Amber has been showcased in print and television, which has made her no stranger to the fashion industry. Most notably, she was featured in Maxim Magazine and has appeared on Deal or No Deal and The New Price is Right. Currently, she stars in The Hard Times of RJ Berger as Jenny Swanson, RJ’s love interest. The show is scheduled to air on MTV starting in June.

In between filming and supporting the Seahawks, Amber reveals to Runway why she always wears high heels, her go-to summer outfit, and her excitement over working with Runway’s Nole Marin.

Runway: Who is your favorite swimwear designer?

Amber Lancaster: I don’t really have one. I just look for what looks best for my body type. I love bright colors! Victoria’s Secret usually has a pretty good selection for me.

R: What is your favorite outfit for staying cool during the summer?

AL: Sundresses!! I live in dresses during the summertime, but I always bring a light sweater with me when going places because I get cold very easy, and in the summertime the A/C is always overused in my opinion.

R: Who is your favorite shoe designer, and what type of shoes do you wear when you are not on set?

AL: I love Christian Louboutin shoes! I don’t know what girl doesn’t; however, I would be broke if I had a closet full of them. So, I also really like ALDO, Steve Madden, and Jessica Simpson. They are less expensive without compromising style.

R: When you wear heels during show tapings and photo shoots, what is the most comfortable pair of heels that you have worn?

AL: Wearing heels is kind of a learned skill. None of them are truly comfortable, but I’ve been wearing them for so long I don’t even feel right in flats. I go into auditions all the time and put heels on. The casting director tells me, “Oh you don’t need to do that, we’ll only see you from the waist up”, but I wear them anyways. Heels just make you feel different and carry yourself differently. The most comfortable pair I’ve ever worn was a beautiful pair of YSL caged sandal heels.

R: How do you incorporate your love of sports into your daily fashion choices?

AL: If I’m just running errands around town, I often just wear jeans and a t-shirt and throw on a baseball cap. Always Seahawks, of course.

R: What are your current and future projects?

AL: I’m currently working on The Hard Times of RJ Berger, which is MTV’s first scripted comedy. It airs June 6th right after the MTV Movie Awards. I play the role of Jenny Swanson, who is the quintessential girl next door and the girl of RJ’s dreams.

R: What is your favorite fashion-related reality show?

AL: I love America’s Next Top Model. I’ve watched it since the very first cycle. It was so cool getting to meet and work with Nole Marin for Runway because I’ve seen him on that show for years. He’s amazing!!

Runway : You had aspirations of becoming a minister, a nurse and an entertainer. Do you see yourself as doing all three of those careers wrapped into one at this point?

Monique Jackson: Yes, I do! I always tell people that my roles as a mother, publicist, entrepreneur and business partner give me a responsibility for navigating people through their lives. I’m helping them get to their destiny.

R: How did you and partner Kita Williams come together to create your company TEAM Image?

MJ: Twelve years ago, Kita and I worked together at Island Def Jam. During that time, we created a bond and I really liked her work ethic. Since we worked for Island Def Jam, we could only take on athlete and actor talent with TEAM Image-no musicians. So that’s what we did with our marketing. We took on Terrell Owens.

R: Many working moms out there are wondering how you balance it all: juggling a business, being on a reality show, being a wife and a mother of three…

MJ: There is no such thing as “balance.” You prioritize what’s in front of you and what has a sense of urgency. Naturally, if you’re putting all of your attention into one area, you’re constantly neglecting something else. I have perfected having ADD being a mom, entrepreneur, business partner and publicist. I’ve co-created The T.O. Show, I’m in development on two other shows-one with the Oxygen Network-and I just keep going.

Also, there is no sleep. Let’s just say that at 2 a.m. when everyone else is snoring, I go back to my computer and log on, brainstorm, write my scripted show and work on my book with Kita. There is no time to sleep, so I am headed on a vacation soon. But I have already mentally rushed myself back from vacation with a checklist of things I need to do when I get back. If I’m not busy doing something, then I don’t feel productive.

R: Do you see yourself slowing down anytime soon?

MJ: No! I have two more shoots to do today…I’m writing a book…writing a scripted show…. When I develop five shows, then I can analyze everything. I can sit back and see if I want to continue what I’m doing or if I can just say, “Job well done, Monique” and slow down. I am constantly evolving, constantly seeing new things to do. I like the challenge of every production, even when it’s just giving birth. I like the challenge of creating a production from beginning to end.

R: As a mom, there is no slowing down anyway-even if you wanted to, right?

MJ: I rest more outside of the house than I do at home.

R: There is no shortage of drama on The T.O. Show. But tell us about what started the controversy between you and VH1 reality star Evelyn Lozada in real life.

MJ: Well, Kita and I were invited to a Forbes event recently because we were the first black women to create, executive-produce and star in a show for VH1. While on the red carpet, we were asked a question about VH1 programming and other shows that show women in a not-so-positive light. Kita and I have such a positive image-and our foundation, Define Your Pretty, promotes self-love, empowering women and so on. So then they asked how I felt about other programs that show women who struggle to even tolerate each other. I simply said, “The problem that I have with the Basketball Wives is that Evelyn seems to pretend that everything she does is okay.” And I’m a mother, and every mother is just a woman, and half the time you’re just trying to figure it out as you go through the process. But for a mother to show her daughter that it’s okay to meet, greet and sleep with a man all in the same night is not okay. I was speaking from the audience’s perspective and I vocalized my opinion in saying that she irritates me … I expressed my honest opinion and then everything went viral.

R: All drama aside, how do you keep up your fashion sense while running after your little ones? As a mom, it can be difficult just to get dressed and out the door, but we see you looking super stylish all the time. Do you have a stylist?

MJ: Kita and I don’t have an official stylist. One of our advantages is that Kita’s sister went to fashion school in London, and although her specialty is in men’s fashion, she helps us. She pulls a piece here and there for us and keeps us in line. I could live in sweats and T-shirts for the rest of my life if I didn’t have to be seen by anyone. But you know, once you step out, everybody always wants to look good, and you have to bring your A-game. You know you’re going to be analyzed, so you bring your A-game. We don’t have stylists running around with us all the time, but we do our best.

R: What can we expect from you next? Will you stay on the show? Stay home with the babies? Continue with TEAM Image?

MJ: Kita and I are writing a book-hopefully it will be out sometime next year. We also have our foundation, Define Your Pretty, and we’re touring with the United Negro College Fund. We’re talking to different college-age women about their self-image, because so often we hear that you have to be on someone’s arm to be recognized or in a music video shaking your behind or have a thong bikini to be defined as attractive. But Kita and I are trying to take back the responsibility and tell kids that they don’t have to be that in order to be attractive. You can be pretty-smart or pretty-fearless. There are a lot of pretties. Don’t let esthetically what is pretty or beautiful about you define who you are. Don’t let anyone else define you-you define yourself. That’s what our book is about.