The most downloaded woman in America harbors a nasty secret: she's a cold-blooded killer. Whether it's the rabid fans, grueling production schedules behind "The Cindy Margolis Show," or the pressures of being one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People that set her off, we can't say. All audiences can be sure of is that peers like Anna Nicole Smith, Marilyn Manson and Jerry Springer had best be wary when entering the ring in MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch, newly released by Gotham Games. Risking life and limb, we confronted the vixen for a little heart to heart about her gore-spattered gaming debut:
1UP: Golly gee whiz… the role you play here sure is a stretch. Did you have to audition for the part?
Cindy Margolis: [Laughs] No. I got a call from Gotham Games, and it made me very excited. I knew I had to work on the project. I've got a big Internet following and games are huge with that crowd. I've been the queen of cyberspace for several years now. It's a perfect marriage with the sort of things I'm known for. I suppose it also doesn't hurt that I'm a big fan of the hobby.1UP: Is this game the closest you'll ever get to laying hands on certain celebrities?
Cindy: For my sake, I certainly hope it's the closest I ever get to touching Marilyn Manson, even though I'm a fan. Something tells me I really don't want to know where that guy has been.
1UP: Anyone you're most looking forward to tearing a new rectum?
Cindy: Carmen Electra. We always end up in the same things. They should do a pay-per-view special of us kicking each other's ass while wearing next to nothing for real. I'm completely down for that, and it'd make more money. Carrot Top is also another one I'd like to hurt. Those commercials are so annoying! But Jerry Springer has to be my number one victim. Everything you hear about him is true. I'd love to put him in his place.
1UP: Plan on making a career of abusing pop culture icons?
Cindy: Sure. That sounds like fun. I'll live vicariously through my digital double. She can spend all her days putting the hurt on innocent people. It'll make great fodder for my website… and even better TV!
1UP: Ouch. Ever had anyone take out their angst on you?
Cindy: All the time in high-school. A lot of girls weren't so fond of me. Once I got cornered by a bunch of them and got my hair burned. Now that I think about it, that was a pretty traumatic experience.
1UP: Oh, the humanity! It must've made you wished you had the same powers in real-life as the game?
Cindy: I wish I had the ability to do the Fem-Bot thing where bullets shoot out of my bra, just like my character can do. That would've been helpful. Unfortunately, believe it or not, I can't do that in person. But I have strong legs. One kick to the groin or an elbow to the neck and anyone who tries any funny business these days is going down.
1UP: Which stars would you most like to have seen in MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch that didn't make the cut?
Cindy: The Charlie's Angels chicks would've been cool. Jennifer Garner too. Even Pam Anderson would've made a nice addition.
1UP: Just how big of a game geek are you?
Cindy: Bigger than you'd suspect. I've got a PlayStation 2 and Xbox at home as part of a sweet home theater setup with all the hook-ups. I love racing games… I'm a real speak freak. I'll also play the hell out of NBA Live. But I have to say racers are my favorite. I'm just a car nut… I own a Ferrari and Mercedes, and love to race them up and down the block.
1UP: Why is the hobby becoming so popular in Hollywood now?
Cindy: It's chic to be geek. Being a nerd is now a cool thing. Remember, I was the first person to have a website. Now everyone and their dog wants to have one. I'm queen of the geeks… nerds rock! Look at movies like The Matrix… people aren't going to watch them because they want to seem cool. It's hip to be a dork lately.
1UP: Think being in a game will help your career?
Cindy: Of course! It's great to be in this kind of title with all these other celebrities. It opens me up to a whole new audience. MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch will have folks seeing me in a whole new light. That's a good thing… exposure is always welcome. When I got the call to do this project, it was pretty much the coolest thing ever. Of all the twenty or so stars featured in the title, I'm probably the most psyched about it.
1UP: Sigh… if only more women shared your sentiments about the pastime…
Cindy: They will… just give it time. When I started out doing my thing, 80% of the users on the Internet were men. Now it's pretty much 50/50. Men are hard-wired to like gadgets and other technological goodies. Women aren't necessarily. But as time goes by, they eventually catch up. Maybe we're just programmed differently. I don't know why the phenomenon occurs, but it does. Don't give up yet, though. Give us a few years…
1UP: Any advice for the poor nerds out there hoping to score a date?
Cindy: Confidence and a killer smile are the biggest weapons in your arsenal. Eye contact is good too… make the girl laugh. Blind dates are also a great way to meet people - you never know whom you're going to get. Normal girls are better to deal with than model types… you don't want someone who's going to be fighting with you for the mirror. Just relax and be yourself. If she can't accept that you're a gamer, why would you want to be with her anyway?