Q&A with Leah Miller

Lifestyle: How did you go from interviewing music stars to auditioning would-be dancers?

Leah Miller: I auditioned for it [in March of last year], and auditioning is not fun. That’s why I can kind of relate to the dancers. It’s hard to get up in front of people, whatever it is you’re doing. But I did it, and I did a good audition and I had one call back. I found out the day after that I got the job, and thank god it was just the day after [because the waiting] was horrible. I think you always doubt yourself when you audition.

Lifestyle: You’ve gone across the country twice now searching for dance talent. What’s that process like?

LM: It’s fun. The only thing that’s grueling is maybe getting up early in the morning. Last year, being the first season, [when I had to wake] up at five in the morning, I was like “Are you kidding me? Five in the morning!” But I’m used to it now and I find that if you enjoy what you’re doing, even if you’re working a 16- or an 18-hour day, it’s fun. . . and I could just sit there and watch dancing for hours and hours, so it’s not really like work.

Lifestyle: Do you come from a dance background?

LM: Yeah, I started dancing when I was really, really little, like when I was three. It wasn’t really dance it was baby ballet, so it was tapping your feet and doing silly stuff. But my older sister and I danced since we were little and I danced until I was in my early teens.

Lifestyle: You’ve evoked pin-up girls in photo shoots for men’s magazines, while clips of you skinny-dipping on a MuchMusic spring break special have amassed nearly one million hits on YouTube. Are you conscious of your status as a Canadian sex symbol of sorts?

LM: I wear makeup at work, but when I’m away from work I wear baggy T-shirts and track pants and I don’t wear makeup, and I’ll have my hair up in a ratty bun. So no, not at all. It’s not me… I’d never try to be the sexy girl. I did that pin-up type of shoot [for a men’s magazine]. It’s fun doing stuff like that; I love doing photo shoots. But that’s not who I am in my regular life. I don’t sit at home in a tight dress with pounds of makeup on. I don’t clean the house in high-heel shoes.

Lifestyle: In five years you’ve gone from relatively unknown VJ to primetime host of one of the country’s top-rated shows. Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

LM: One day I’d love to have my own show that’s like The Martha Stewart Show – because I love baking and cooking – meets Ellen, meets Regis and Kelly. Just a mixture of everything, but with me and guests. Something like that.