>>> Everything is a new
experience for me.
And every time I've been
negative within myself and said,
I can't do this.
If you think like that you're
not going to accomplish it.
I had to change my way of
thinking.
I'm a lot more positive.
I just have to go out there and
work hard and I did it and I'm
really proud of that.
>> Look at that.
A little throwback with Carmen
electra.
That was 1997.
>> And it's so funny.
>> But you look the same.
>> Thank you.
>> We're like, what yare you
doing because we need to know.
>> What are you doing?
>> Oh.
>> Okay, hang on.
This came up because you did
this nude photo shoot.
What are you doing for this area
here?
>> What area, kit?
>> That area.
>> Squats.
It makes your booty pull up and
pop.
>> Right here.
>> Are we allowed to show that?
We don't have to blur anything
out.
>> There's nothing to blur
because we're not actually
really seeing anything.
That's the trick of some of
these shoots where you can place
yourself in a position where you
cover the naughty bits.
>> The naughty bits.
>> But there are a lot of
photographers and grips on set
and everything else.
>> Not on this set.
>> So it was just you and the
photographer?
>> Basically I -- I get a call
from my publicist and I am
already a huge fan of Eli who
was the photographer.
He shoots all of Kanye's
campaigns.
He shoots for Kim and their
family.
And he's just a true artist.
So I'm familiar with his work.
But I have obviously shot a lot
of sexy photos over the years
and "Playboy" and so I'm kind of
used to a certain kind of way of
doing things.
I talk to my publicist the night
before the shoot.
And I basically said so who is
styling me?
He said no one.
I went, what do you mean, no one
is going to style me?
We usually wear a corset or you
have like high heels on.
Something.
>> You're wearing something.
>> He says, no, just come.
Bring yourself.
But Eli, he becomes a stylist
and it was all -- I couldn't get
a concept.
No one had any information.
I almost backed out because I
started to get really nervous.
>> Yes.
>> But I'm so happy I did it.
It was -- by the time I was on
set, I had, you know, we were
sort of imitating this very
iconic photo of Anne Margaret
with a motorcycle and he went
and styled himself so Eli on a
genius and artist and I felt
completely comfortable and I'm
so happy I did it.
>> I love that you almost backed
out because you weren't wearing
any shoes.
>> Naked and no shoes like, that
sounds scary to me.
Like I am not comprehending
but I am really not afraid of
much so I just kind of pushed
myself and went and now I'm
happy I did it.
>> Talk about your beginnings of
Carmen electra.
And your real name is Kara.
>> It is.
>> Prince gave you the name.
He sort of put you on the map.
Discovered you.
How did you guys meet?
What was your relationship like?
>> I auditioned Ed for an all-girls
band.
I didn't hear back.
I was really sad.
I started to go to auditions.
I went to capitol records.
I got a demo deal with capitol.
And --
>> And you are still Kara at
this point?
>> Yes.
And a friend of mine called me
and said prince would like to
hear your demos.
He knows you're recording.
I was like, okay, yeah, I would
love to do that.
He basically said, no way we
could use these as a coaster or
Frisbee.
That's his sense of humor.
He's really funny and has the
wit and sarcasm about him.
I went, okay.
I'm 19 years old.
I'm barely turning 19 years old.
And I'm going, okay, prince.
I agree.
He said I want to sign you to
paisley park records.
He looked at me and said you
look like a -- you don't look
like a Kara.
You look like Carmen.
And I thought, okay.
And then he goes, but we need a
last name.
He said what about electra.
>> He just came up with that?
>> No, actually, I'm not really
familiar with his early, early
music, but it all comes full
circle because he, in a lot of
his older music, he uses the
name electra.
So I think it's a name that
maybe means something to him in
a deeper way that I have no
clue.
>> Who calls you Kara still?
>> My family.
My family.
But everyone knows me as Carmen
now.
It's been so long that it's
just -- I'm used to it, and I
love it.
And I love prince and I have so
much gratitude.
I love being names by prince.
Hello.
>> When he names you, you take
it.
>> Exactly.
>> Then "Baywatch" came
take us inside the first time
you put on the first red bathing
suit.
>> The one piece is back.
>> It is.
>> The one piece is completely
back.
So at that time, I had uta which
is an amazing agency and they
called me and said "Baywatch"
wants to interview you to be on
the show.
Pamela's leaving, and they're
hiring a new cast of women.
I was so nervous.
I had never acted in my life.
And basically got the script.
Started studying.
Walk into the audition.
Now picture this.
David hasselhoff and everyone is
sitting there and just kind of
standing, nervously, smiling and
trying to do the best I can.
The next question, will you put
this red swimsuit on?
I was in shock because at the
time, I was shooting with mtv.
>> Right.
>> And I didn't shave my legs.
>> Oh, my gosh.
>> How did you work that out?
>> I didn't know I was going to
put on the bikini that day.
But I did it anyway.
I went through with it.
I have a good sense of humor
about myself and I just went,
okay, put the one piece on.
Then they said can you swim.
I said, of course I can swim.
I swim like this.
>> Sounds like a kit story.
Of course I can drive a bus.
>> But I didn't know at the
baywatch office they actually
have a swimming pool there.
So they --
>> They tested you?
>> I was tested that day.
>> What?
Wow.
>> So I stood on the edge of the
pool, said a prayer and
remembered everything everyone
told me about not getting water
up my nose.
And I tried to -- I'm a dancer.
So I try to do a beautiful dive
into the water.
I tucked my head under and I
just started pretending I'm
saving lives.
And I --
>> It's all about the run
anyway.
>> Luckily I didn't get water up
my nose.
I got the job.
>> Wow.
Incredible.