Ashley Dupré Q&A on Famous Food

They said it plainly: "I was on the show to just show people for once who Ashley is. Everyone had preconceived notions of who I am — so it was …" — and Premier Guide Miami was in the room when it happened.

After finding herself at the center of one of the biggest scandals in recent memory, Ashley Dupré was determined to relinquish her negative image and show people her positive side. When the opportunity came to join VH1's Famous Food — a show where seven celebrities are given six weeks to open a restaurant — Ashley saw it as the perfect platform to showcase her personality, creativity, and expertise in the restaurant industry. Premier Guide Miami's Judith Wallace caught up with Ashley ahead of the show's premiere.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What made you want to do Famous Food?

ASHLEY DUPRÉ: Actually in the beginning an email was sent to me with the description of the show and I did not think that it was real. I thought it was a joke because it sounded too good to be true, so I brushed it off. But the overall concept of the show is what drew me in. You take seven of us and give us six weeks to open a restaurant. I grew up in the restaurant industry. When I was younger I worked for many years as a hostess, server, and a manager in a restaurant owned by a family friend. So I was always interested in the restaurant industry, and when this came up I just thought it was a great opportunity — how often does someone come up to you and say, "Hey, here is this money and we want you to open up a restaurant"? I am also passionate about food, and I love going out to restaurants. So I just felt like it was a great opportunity for me to put myself out there in a positive way, and I was really excited about the project.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What was your biggest challenge doing this show?

ASHLEY DUPRÉ: The biggest challenge was working with seven different personalities (laughs) and all agreeing on anything. That was definitely the most challenging part of the entire show.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Did you feel judged by any of your fellow castmates because of your background?

ASHLEY DUPRÉ: I did a little bit. I kind of quit — I ran off — then I turned around and digested everything for a couple of days. I later returned and I just wanted to talk to them, because I was not on the show to be called names or to be disrespected. I was on the show to just show people for once who Ashley is. Everyone had preconceived notions of who I am, so it was just a way to show people who I am rather than who they think I am. That was my main thing. I told my castmates: "Listen, I don't have to be here. If this is how you want to treat me or act towards me..." But they wanted me to stay, and I am glad that I did. It was really challenging — I did not get along with a couple of people on the show. But in the end I am glad that I stayed and put my foot down, because there are people out there who judge me every day. Had I run away — what am I going to do, run away for the rest of my life?

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: You know that being on TV is going to put your past in the forefront again — are you prepared for that?

ASHLEY DUPRÉ: I don't know. I am a little afraid. I don't know how everything is going to turn out. It's scary anytime you put yourself out there — people are going to judge you. Even though the show has nothing to do with my past, that is just the way society is. Hopefully this will be good for me, but who knows. You can't be afraid to try, because if you never try then you will never get anywhere. It's not that I want to put my past behind me and pretend that it never happened — I mean, I can't expunge the internet. That's never going to happen. It's always going to be there. It's part of who I am. But I also need to continue to just keep living my life. And the more that I can show people who I am and they can get a feel for my personality, then maybe I won't be called "that girl." Instead it could be, oh, I really like her, or she is really nice, funny — whatever.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What can people expect to see from Ashley on this show?

ASHLEY DUPRÉ: Although it was a challenge to work with different people, what you will see is that I am very funny and I don't take myself too seriously. Like, really — I am a goofball. So you will see that. You will also see a creative side of me, and that is really what I brought to the table as far as the concept of the show, ideas and stuff like that. I am a really creative person and that is where I thrive.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: I spoke to Vinny a few days ago and he had nothing but nice things to say about you. What are your thoughts on him?

ASHLEY DUPRÉ: I love Vinny — he is like a teddy bear. He is like my dad (laughs). He always looks out for me on the show, and he continues to do so after the show. So I am really glad that he was on there. And Heidi as well — she is like one of my closest friends. Her and I just really clicked on the show. She is another person that the public always judges, so I did not know what to expect being on a show with her. I was preparing for the worst and she totally blew me away. She is a sweetheart and has such a great heart. I am just really glad that she was on the show with me too. Her and Vinny — I just love them, they are awesome.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: It's been a couple of years since you became a public figure because of the Spitzer scandal. How would you describe your life at present — are you in a better place?

ASHLEY DUPRÉ: I am in a much better place. It's definitely been really difficult and a hard road. I feel like everybody makes mistakes. I was really young, and the only difference between me and everyone else is that mine was public — on the front pages of every newspaper. Everyone has skeletons in their closets. They are all different levels, but if you take a microscope and crawl into their lives you will find something. So to overcome that and deal with that — it was very traumatic and very difficult for my family and myself. But as far as where I am today, I am so happy. I don't let things get to me. I brush it off. I have a great sense of humor to the people that are around me and love me. I am at the best place that I have ever been in my entire life. So I am really happy where I am.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: Has your past affected your dating life at all?

ASHLEY DUPRÉ: Well, I have been in a relationship for over a year now and I am super happy. He is my best friend. I mean, I don't know what I would do without him. I love him to pieces.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: I know that you were pursuing a singing career — how is that going?

ASHLEY DUPRÉ: Well, I have always wanted to do music — that is what I was doing before everything happened to me. Because everything happened, it changed my whole life and people did not take me seriously. I am still pursuing it. It's just something that I love doing. I have two songs on iTunes right now. I am never going to stop doing that. Who knows what is going to happen. It's just a passion of mine and I will continue to do it.

PREMIER GUIDE MIAMI: What is one misconception that you think people have of you that you would love to clear up?

ASHLEY DUPRÉ: People think that I am this crazy, hardcore, out-of-control party girl. And I am like the most down-to-earth, funny person. I love being home with my three dogs — I recently got an English Bulldog, and I have a Cocker Spaniel and a French Bulldog. I love staying home and cooking and being with my boyfriend and my dogs. I just love doing those things, and I think that would surprise people.

For more upcoming events across South Florida, visit the Premier Guide Miami Events Calendar .