When Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Eat, Pray, Love, enticed Julia Roberts back on to the big screen, we just had to know all about it.

 

Julia Roberts plays Elizabeth in Eat, Pray, Love

Here the author shares her journey

By Kathryn Knight, 05/09/2010

It wasn't the first time the topic had come up, but now my sister's words hit home in a way they hadn't before. As she cradled her baby, she joked:

"Having a baby is like getting a tattoo - you need to be certain it's what you want before you commit."

It was a flippant comment, but little did she know that it cut to the heart of the turmoil I was going through. I didn't want to face up to it, but I didn't love my husband any more. I didn't want to be married and I didn't want the baby everyone, including him, was expecting me to have.

Looking back, I had no idea then that this moment of despair would be the start of a journey that would change my life - and with it the lives of hundreds of other women who felt as low as I did. All I knew was that I had to escape.

Julia plays Elizabeth in the film

To outsiders, I had a charmed life. At 31, I was married, living in a beautiful house in the New York suburbs and loving my job as a freelance writer. But inside I felt empty and trapped.

When I met my husband in my early 20s and married at 24, I thought he was The One. No one prepared me for the fact he might not be; that, as the years went by, we'd grow apart.

After seven years of marriage, I plucked up the courage to walk away. The divorce was difficult and, by the time the decree absolute came through, I was 34 and struggling to come to terms with the failure of my marriage.

As the months passed, an idea began to form. I'd always wanted to explore Italy, India and Indonesia, and now I had no ties, it was my chance to get my life back.

Using my savings, I started planning my trip. When I set off in the late summer of 2003 I didn't know what to expect, just that I was going to write down all my experiences and find out what I wanted from life.

Elizabeth fell in love with Felipe in Bali

Eat

Arriving in Rome, I only had two plans. To rent an apartment close to the iconic Spanish Steps and enrol in Italian classes. In America I'd lived my life at breakneck speed, juggling work with a frantic social life, never wanting to slow down. I decided to let life run at its own pace.

I knew no one, which I thought would be terrifying, but I soon made lots of vibrant Italian friends who I'd meet for amazing meals in local restaurants where we'd drink limoncello until the small hours. They flirted with me too, especially Giovanni, a 24-year-old brown-eyed Casanova.

But however delicious the thought might be, inviting another man into my bed was not the right way for me to get over my failed marriage.

After Rome, I travelled all over Italy, marvelling at the fact that the woman who always watched what she ate now survived on cheese, pasta, bread and wine.

One night, as I tucked into pizza, I glanced into the mirror and saw a bright-eyed, clear-skinned, healthy face. I'd arrived sad and brittle, but food was healing me. By the time I left Italy I was a stone and a half heavier, but more content.

Spending a lot of time alone made me realise I was the only person responsible for my happiness, or lack of it.

The author healed her mind in India

Pray

When I arrived in India, four months after leaving New York, I was ready for my journey to take a new direction. My body was better, now it was time to heal my mind.

I'd arranged to stay at an ashram (a religious retreat) hidden in the heart of rural India. Each day I'd visit a meditation cave, chanting and trying to clear my mind of worries. It was hard at first, as I would think about what everyone was doing back at home. But slowly, I learned to focus and I soon learned to love the simple way of life at the ashram. I realised there was such a thing as being too in control. I had to stop taking myself so seriously.

As I left India for Bali, I felt full of peace in a way I'd never experienced before.

Love

And enjoyed the culture and food in Italy

Arriving on the Indonesian island, I rented a tiny cottage in the mountains, filling my days with walking, cycling, reading and meditation. With every day, the pain of my divorce eased. Instead of sickening heartbreak and failure, I could understand what had gone wrong. My husband wasn't a bad person, we'd just been wrong for each other. But I'd started to wonder if I'd ever find love again.

Then, a few weeks after I arrived on the island, I met Felipe, a 57-year-old Brazilian musician, at a party. He was also travelling and although my defences were still up, as the weeks went by I allowed myself to open up to him. We took road trips, explored sun-soaked beaches and spent lazy afternoons in each other's arms. Slowly, we fell in love. I didn't worry about the age gap, in fact I found it sexy, and the fact he already had kids from a previous relationship meant that there would never be any pressure on me to start a family. Felipe and I were equals, and by the time I had to return to America in 2004, we'd vowed to make a life together.

I decided to write a book about my journey, Eat, Pray, Love - eat for the food in Italy, pray for India and love for finding Felipe in Bali. I was thrilled and bewildered after it was published in 2006. Then I read in an interview with Julia Roberts that she was giving all her girlfriends the book as a Christmas present.

Suddenly, my life went crazy. What had meant to be a journal, charting my travels, became a bestseller. It felt great, but of course, there were downsides. Although friends and family who I'd mentioned in the book were happy with what I'd written, my ex-husband was angry about how I'd spoken about the breakdown of our marriage. He's moved on, remarried and since had children, but he felt I'd been unfair.

Elizabeth with star of the movie Julia Roberts

I'd moved on too. Felipe and I married in 2007 in a simple ceremony. Today we live in a small town in New Jersey. We don't have kids and I've no regrets.

When I heard Julia Roberts was going to play me in the film version of Eat, Pray, Love I was so happy. I visited the set and was introduced to her. She was really sweet.

In some ways my new life isn't so different from my old one - it's me that's changed. I'm calmer, more centred. I'm much more suited to my second husband, and I am a much better second wife." l Eat, Pray, Love opens in cinemas nationwide on September 24.The Eat, Pray, Love phenomenon

Elizabeth Gilbert's travel journal was published in America in February 2006. After talkshow host Oprah Winfrey dedicated two episodes of her show to Eat, Pray, Love, it quickly became a must-read. Only 30,000 hardback copies were released, but it has now sold more than 7 million copies in over 40 languages. Fans can even recreate Elizabeth's trip for themselves, with tour operators offering packages taking in the three countries she visited.

Jo Whiley presents coverage for BBC Radio 1 and BBC2 from Glastonbury

To mark 40 years of the famous festival, Radio 1 DJ and Glasto die-hard Jo Whiley opens up her mud-spattered photo album

Jo with (l-r) India, Cassius and Jude

20/06/2010

You never forget the first time

Now that's what we call crowd control

"The first time I went to Glastonbury was in 1982, when I was 17 and in the sixth form at school. I went with a bunch of mates. We got the train down from Northampton and it was pouring with rain. I remember seeing Van Morrison and drinking tons of cider. At about 5am on Sunday, when we were all drenched through, we decided to get the first train home. I remember sitting at Shepton Mallet train station in Somerset cooking bacon on a little hob we'd brought. It was an unforgettable experience. The difference between Glastonbury now and then is vast. Back then it was just one stage - it was like a cosy hamlet. Now it's like a vast city!"

We are family!

Glasto's great for big kids too!

"In 1992 I went with my husband Steve and my eldest daughter India, who was a few months old. Primal Scream and PJ Harvey, two of my favourite acts, were playing, but with a baby we spent much of our time in the children's field. To be honest, I didn't miss the music. You just have a different experience. The Kidz Field is like a fantasy land; there are helter-skelters, rides and entertainers. Once a kid goes to Glastonbury, they realise the world isn't normal at all!"

Knit one, drop one

Jake in that all-in-one

"Jake from Scissor Sisters is always a ball of hysteria. I interviewed him live on TV one Sunday in 2004 with Vernon Kay, and Jake was wearing a crocheted all-in-one. But it wasn't tightly crocheted and he wasn't wearing underwear. He completely exposed himself - Vernon's eyes were on stalks and we had to apologise to the audience!"

It's all a Blur

Jo and Coco Lux with Blur's Damon Albarn

"Seeing Blur perform last year after they'd got back together was really special. Damon Albarn was so emotional because the crowd went wild. I was so overcome watching him. I don't think he anticipated the reaction. I don't usually like it when bands get back together again because reunions are rarely as good as the first time. Blur are the exception - they sounded better than ever. The irony was that I was doing TV coverage, so I couldn't go out front, and had to experience the whole thing backstage on a TV."

No patrol

With baby Coco Lux last year

"Whenever I get in a cab, the driver always says: 'I saw you presenting Glastonbury'. It's what people know me for... most of the time anyway. In 2004, I was trying to get to the side of the stage to see Snow Patrol when security stopped me. I said: 'I'm going to be interviewing them in a minute and I work for the BBC', but they were having none of it and I missed the set. It was more than a little frustrating."

Going Gaga

GaGa gave quite a show at Glasto!

"Lady GaGa was fantastic last year. Some purists questioned whether she was the right act for Glastonbury, but she was phenomenal. There was a moment when she was straddling a motorbike on stage and, as she positioned herself to get on to this thing, she accidentally flashed the crowd - and she wasn't wearing any underwear! 'Oh golly,' I thought, 'you are definitely all woman.'"

Frock DJ

Jo and singer Paolo Nutini rock in wellies. inset: Style-setters Jo and La Roux

"You get people like Kate Moss who turn up in the teeniest shorts and amazing shoes and sunglasses, so you do feel ¿you have to make an effort. But the one thing I've learned is that it gets really cold at night so you have to have a big old Barbour jacket to wear. And wellies are essential. I have a pair of Jimmy Choo ones and, unless I find anything better than them, I'll be wearing them again this year. They are the best in the world. I've worn them so much."

Chris Martin's storytime

Singer/storyteller Chris Martin

"Coldplay headlined in 2002 and it's one of my very favourite Glastonbury moments. I'd been playing their music since they started out, I did the first interviews and they'd done a storming performance in the Radio 1 Live Lounge, so I felt very proud seeing them step out on to the main stage and hearing the crowd. I interviewed Chris Martin afterwards and asked him to say hello to India who was with me in my Winnebago. He bounded in and said: 'Uncle Chris has come to read you a bedtime story'. And he did. That he was happy to do that straight after one of the biggest gigs of his career shows what kind of a man he is."

Robbie reborn

"Robbie was amazing in 1998 with Angels, but more memorable in 1995 when he turned up bleached-blonde with Oasis after going AWOL from Take That. There was a surreal moment where I was sat around a campfire with Oasis, Jarvis Cocker and him."

India gets stuck in the mud

Rain down on me

"The worst year for weather was 1997. There was so much rain, it was incredible. But Radiohead were headlining and the rain sometimes adds to it. Their performance was electric as people sang along in the downpour. That year, I was presenting with John Peel and the mud was so deep he had to rescue me and give me a piggyback to dry land!"

Glasts from the past

The very first gathering at Glastonbury was on September 19, 1970 - 1,500 hippies met in a field the day after Jimi Hendrix died, and the £1 admission included milk from a nearby farm.

In 2000 with her fellow BBC Radio DJs

-The first ever band to perform that year were Bristol rockers Stackridge. Nope, we've never heard of them either.

-The highest attendance was in 2000, when 250,000 people descended on Worthy Farm, due to a gatecrashing epidemic. Normally just over 170,000 people attend.

-There are over 800 stalls selling everything from burgers to blankets on the 1,300-acre site.

-In case of drought (unlikely, since it's usually covered in mud), Glastonbury has two underground, terrorist-proof reservoirs that can each hold 1million litres of water.

-There have been dozens of big names down the years, but Glasto founder Michael Eavis remains desperate to see Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones perform there.

-This year, it's estimated over 85,000 people will camp at Worthy Farm. Sewage is collected nightly, stored in a 750,000-gallon lagoon and disposed of in tankers.

-Workers always find mobile phones that have been dropped down the loos. Nice!

Kendall Jenner on withdrawal Instagram: "I needed a little break"

Two days after closing his Instagram account, Kendall Jenner explains the reasons for his departure on the set of Ellen DeGeneres.

Kendall Jenner does not regret leaving Instagram deleting his account there two days. Instead, the top 21 years welcomes this new life away virtual connections, "It's really nice, I recommend it. I am much less addicted to my phone. I'm more focused on the real life, "she explained on the set of Ellen DeGeneres.

Arrival at the end, the penultimate of the Kardashian clan has felt the need to relieve his addiction networks. She has removed his instagram account and removed the Twitter application on his phone. "I just wanted a detox. I needed a little break. I am still on. This is the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I look at before sleeping. I felt dependent ... but I'll be back! ", Was she exclaimed. 

The smile and the air still as jovial, Kendall Jenner concluded: "I love seeing me have the reflex to click on the application and realize that it's not there. It is a feeling rather refreshing. " A peak for this young woman whose family empire based on overexposure. Maybe she was left inspired by Justin Bieber who also deleted his account last August. 

ICEBREAKER: Kristina Lenko secret divorce

DANCING On Ice babe Kristina Lenko has been hiding a secret heartache — she's getting divorced.

And the blonde beauty, partner of gay singer Stephen Gately in the ITV1 show, has told how coaches Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have helped her through the pain.

Kristina, 26, who's been married to eight-times British skating champ Steven Cousins for three years, confirmed: "We're separated now. We split at the end of the last series of Dancing On Ice.

"It's been hard, but last year Chris and Jayne were there for me and they have been just like family. They're the people I go to when I'm lonely."

Kristina and Steven, 33, drifted apart because of their hectic lives.

She divides her time between the UK, her native Canada and Australia while Welshman Steven is just as busy, working in America and touring.

For now, the only man in Kristina's life is Gately. She loves skating with the ex-Boyzone star but she's still terrified he will drop her during a lift. She said: "I don't trust him yet. I'm getting there and he's still learning. Stephen picks me up and I can feel him rock back and forward on his skates.

"It's unnerving, but you have to remember that these celebrities have only been skating for weeks. They're doing moves you don't really do until you've had five years of training."

Kristina, who partnered Stefan Booth in last year's final, added: "The whole nature of the show is to push and challenge the stars to do dramatic moves.

"There is always an element of risk and everyone loves it when they see people fall. It's part of the fun."

Kristina admitted even the most experienced skaters can make a mistake and revealed coach and co-presenter Christopher left her battered and bruised.

She said: "I did a back flip then Chris picked me up and threw me. I fell about seven feet over his head onto my knee-caps.

"It was agony and I have ended up with two bruised bones in the knees. I was lucky not to have broken them, but they still hurt and will take weeks to heal properly."

Another hazard is being abused by the acid-tongued judges. Fans have already seen Jason Gardiner tell newsreader Kay Burley she looks "demented" when she smiles.

Kristina says: "Jason's not half as nasty as he makes out, but it makes for great entertainment when he gets harsh with people. But it's hard for the celebrities as it can make them feel insecure. And you have to be confident to go out there on the ice."

Kristina's now hoping to reach the final for the second time. She said: "Who knows when we'll be voted off. We just need to keep doing our best."

Showbiz: Kylie Minogue,Sly Stallone,Ugly Betty, SICK KYLIE FORCED TO CANCEL TWO GIGS

Kylie Minogue has rescheduled two shows after being forced to pull out due to ill health, her record company have announced.

A spokesman for EMI confirmed last night and tonight's Showgirls Homecoming concerts are cancelled but will go ahead at the Manchester Evening News Arena on January 21 and 22.
We told you how the 38-year-old star dramatically quit a concert half-way through on Saturday after falling ill.

A spokesman said: “After being forced to pull out early from Saturday night’s Showgirl Homecoming performance at the Manchester Evening News Arena due to a moderately severe respiratory tract infection, doctors have insisted that Kylie Minogue not perform in the immediate future.

“We currently anticipate that Thursday and Friday nights’ shows will not be affected.

“Whilst we await the all clear from her doctors we wish her a speedy recovery and hope to be able to confirm her return to the stage soon."

This ordeal came as it emerged the star will marry boyfriend OLIVIER MARTINEZ.

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UGLY AS SIN

NEW star AMERICA FERRERA goes from being Ugly Betty to Sweaty Betty.

My saucy pic, from 2005 flick Lords Of Dogtown, shows her before she shot to fame as office frump Betty Suarez in the hit Channel 4 comedy.

America turned to acting as a child growing up in LA to escape her parents' rows but was filled with self-doubt about her looks.

She told me: "I'd spend hours in my room blocking out their screams by acting out plays in my head. Acting was all I ever wanted to do.

"I'd look in the mirror and cry thinking I was too fat. But today I feel beautiful and far from the ugly duckling I appear on screen."

---

MEET THE CHAMP!

WHEN I met Sly Stallone this week he told me his new Rocky film is his last. But he said: "I'll do one more Rambo then I'll lay them to rest." 

I'VE TURNED INTO BROODY Spice Girls

It’s been a while since ex-Spice Girls Mel C and Mel B touched base.

Mel C’s been carving out a solo career for herself in the UK and Europe, while Mel B has been in the US having a roller-coaster affair with Eddie Murphy.

But now that the Beckhams are moving to Los Angeles, Mel C is planning a Spice Girls reunion – in Hollywood.

“I haven’t seen Melanie for a couple of years and I’d love to go and see her,” the singer tells Sunday. “Having her and Victoria both there will be brilliant. I can go over and have a good look around her and David’s new pad.”

With her fourth album released this month, Mel has had the most solo success of the group – but she’s lagging behind in the baby stakes. Posh has three sons, Geri has a daughter and both Mel B and Emma Bunton are pregnant. And it’s turned Mel into Broody Spice.

“I definitely want to be a mum. We’ll have to see what the next few years bring,” she laughs.

“I saw Emma and Geri a couple of weeks ago and it’s such an exciting time for them. The priority for them all is family. It feels very different when we get together because they’re all mums or becoming mums and that changes people. They seem so at peace.”

Mel has now found peace in her own personal life. She has been dating quantity surveyor Thomas Starr for five years and the couple live together in North London.

She’s also fitter and healthier than ever after recovering from the depression that haunted her when she was a Spice Girl.

She says: “The gym has been a good outlet for my stress. I have had problems in the past. I didn’t eat properly and was underweight in the Spice Girls. Then, when I left, I gained a lot of weight when I went through depression but now I have a healthy attitude to food and exercise.

“I will never do a faddy diet or starve myself again. It makes you feel terrible and you end up putting on more weight afterwards. I’ve felt the repercussions of not looking after myself and I don’t intend going through that again.”

It’s not surprising that Mel gets angry when quizzed about the size 0 debate.

“When I was in the Spice Girls, I was a size 6 and I was really ill. My periods stopped, my bone density was low and I was unhappy and isolated,” she says. “It’s not acceptable that women should feel pressured to be so skinny.”

But Mel stops short of criticising Posh. “It’s not fair for me to comment, she’s my friend,” is all she will say.

* Mel C’s new album, This Time, is out now.

KATE, WE SAWYER BOTTOM!

SEEMS surfer chick EVANGELINE LILLY has, er, Lost her cozzie.

See Evangeline in the surf

The cheeky actress, who plays Kate in the hit show, nearly washed up without her bikini bottoms after riding some waves.

But the star—who has an onscreen fling with badboy Sawyer—got a little behind while practising her moves in Hawaii. 

A fellow surfer dude said: "She kept falling off and nearly lost her dignity. But she just laughed and got back on the board. She was having a great time."

Evangeline's fella, Lost co-star DOMINIC MONAGHAN, was on hand to give her a few pointers.

With a view like that no doubt he'll never tire of this board game...

PARTYING Corrie stars blew £5,000 on booze in just FIVE HOURS at KATE FORD'S leaving bash on Friday.

Stars including TINA O'BRIEN and JANE DANSON turned out for the do in Manchester and got through a stack of vino and bubbly. My insider said: "Kate looked very emotional and there were a few merry cast members by the end."



TWEEDY DUMB TO SNUB

CHERYL TWEEDY must be the daftest girl in pop.

The dozy Girls Aloud singer has TURNED DOWN the plum job as an X Factor judge.

Surely she can't think she's better than the biggest TV show of the year.

A host of A-listers are clamouring to be one of two new judges after LOUIS WALSH and presenter KATE THORNTON were axed.

SIMON COWELL wanted Mrs Ashley Cole on his team. She would have joined SHARON OSBOURNE and a new male judge.

I reckon Cheryl's career would have soared—but, bizarrely, she thought the job would be too much pressure.

An ITV source told me: "Cheryl is totally bonkers. We don't know what planet she's on. Being the sexy female judge would have opened so many doors for her because Simon is the man with the Midas touch.

"There was even the possibility that she could do shows in the States using Simon's contacts."

With crazy Cole now out of the running, I can reveal rolypoly DJ CHRIS MOYLES, mad American Idol judge PAULA ABDUL and Scary Spice MEL B are on the judges' shortlist.

Pop Idol's PETE WATERMAN has also been approached but isn't a frontrunner.

My insider revealed: "There has been a lot of talk about Chris being the perfect presenter to replace Kate Thornton but don't rule him out as a judge. His comments to the contestants would be hilarious.

"Paula and Mel B would both be great so it's going to be a tough choice.

"Mel's had a tough year after being jilted by EDDIE MURPHY so it would be an amazing comeback. But Paula already has great chemistry with Simon on American Idol and was a guest judge for the auditions in London last year."

Watch this space...

TURNS out rocker BEN MILLS isn't very, well, rock 'n' roll.

I hear he's miffed at being kept awake by the other rowdy lads on the X Factor Live tour running round the hotel NAKED. Apparently he needs his sleep.

Yawn! 

Stars show at the American Music Awards 2016

The American Music Awards delivered their awards on Sunday in Los Angeles. For the occasion, the stars were present in numbers. 

The most beautiful dresses and best costumes paraded Sunday night the American Music Awards 2016. The vintage 2016 hosted the most beautiful stars in a Dantesque show. Justin Bieber, Green Day, Selena Gomez or Ariana Grande ... All gave voice to this event solely dedicated to American music. Sting performed a medley of the finest songs of his career while Nicki Minaj has always been more challenging in a frenzied choreography alongside Ariana Grande. Green Day decided to deliver a political message during his performance, shouting "No to Trump. Not to KKK. Not a fascist America. " 

In addition to their performances, the artists were present to receive the award. Justin Bieber has won the award for video of the year with "Sorry". Ariana Grande has, in turn, received the best title, that of the artist the year. She was competing with Carrie Underwood, Selena Gomez, Rihanna and Justin Bieber. Zayn Malik, One Direction old and boyfriend Gigi Hadid received the award for best new artist of the year. The first success for this young singer who launched solo there a few months. 

A long-awaited return

While many artists have shone at the American Music Awards, there's one that has attracted particular attention. Dressed in a red dress Giuseppe Zanotti,  Selena Gomez reappeared on stage after a long absence.Interned to treat her lupus, she had not been heard from for three months: "As many know, there is a year I revealed that I was suffering from lupus, a disease that can affect people different ways. I discovered that anxiety, panic attacks, depression could be the effects. They all have their own challenges, "she had said at the time.

This Sunday, as she received the award for female artist pop / rock favorite, brown pretty 24-year delivered a poignant speech: "I had to stop because I had everything, but that I was absolutely broken internally. I did everything to keep this to myself and never let you down, but I kept to myself too, to the point of forgetting me, "she said facing an agitated audience:" I ' not trying to get validation from you, I do most. All I can say from the bottom of my heart, is that I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share what I love every day with people I love. I have to thank my fans, because you are so loyal and I do not know if I deserve you, "she said with a sob. The woman ended her speech with thanks and dedication of his award to his fans. 

Bai Ling LOST IT: The spirits drive hit show's sexy new star wild (15 pic)

ASIAN beauty Bai Ling is set to find fame with a red-hot role in Lost... and now she's told the News of the World she's a bi Bai, baby.

In an exclusive interview, the curvy actress revealed she's hooked on sex and told how she:

LOVES stripping off for sizzling sessions with both men AND women

LONGS to romp with as many fellas as possible before she eventually settles down and

HOPES that when she dies, she does it while she's making love!

Bai, who has appeared in the movies Wild Wild West and The Crow, said: "I've met many crazy people on many crazy nights. Anything you can imagine...I've done it! It's in my nature to just run wild and I do.

"I love being naked and I love men and women — especially when I'm drunk.I just seduce everybody. Sex is the best high. It's better than any drug. I want to die making love because it feels so good."

And Bai doesn't really care who it's with.

"For me a one-night stand and a lifetime commitment are the same," she said.

"There's a lot of beauty in different men. You can't see just one man. It's too hard to choose. Before I get married I think I should enjoy it. I don't live by rules."

Bai, 36, will make her Lost debut this year as the rampant lover of Dr Jack Shephard, played by Matthew Fox, 40.

She said: "He is very handsome. You're kind of nervous when you're doing love scenes and you don't know each other.

"But it was fun, really spontaneous. We have a natural chemistry. Sometimes I'm on top of him, sometimes he's on top of me."

In real life Bai reckons her sex life is governed by a gang of naughty ‘little girl spirits' who possess her and make her go wild. At least that's her excuse.

"They live inside of me and what I do on a weekend depends on which one of them comes out," she says.

"There's a sexy one, a hip and modern one, an innocent one, a wise one, a mischievous one and I never know which one it will be.

"They all wear miniskirts and they're very cute, always dressed up. One of the girls is a party girl who says, ‘Let's go party!' I say, ‘That skirt's too short!' She says, ‘No, it's not, I have underwear — you don't see nothing.'

"When men hit on me it all depends on which spirit I am as to how I react."

Chinese-born Bai says she had her first sexual experience when she was posted to Tibet with the People's Liberation Army.

"I'd love to loiter around the men's quarters and try to grab a peek," she said.

"I loved getting naked in front of all these men. I was a new soldier, so they asked me to undress first and the men would tease me and push me in the water. And then everyone jumps in."

Bai also got involved in the pro-democracy movement and the Tiananmen Square demonstrations.

As a result she emigrated to the United States in 1991 — and a whole new world opened up to her.

Button

"We never talked about sex in China. I used to think babies came from the belly button," she giggled. "But then I came to America and learned to celebrate the human body."

And the celebrations just go on and on.

"I was in Bangkok, going out every night and it was crazy," she revealed.

I loved going to strip bars and I think the men who dressed as women there are so much more attractive than girls."

But she admitted: "I love beautiful women, too. Gender is not a problem for me.

"When you fall in love with a man or a woman you're lucky."