Aja Rock - the woman under the swim togs

By ANA SAMWAYS

She climbed a coconut tree in just her togs on "Celebrity Treasure Island", presented an award in a skimpy "Clan of the Cave Bear"-type outfit at the NZ Music Awards and scored front-row seats at New Zealand Fashion Week. And still people ask: "Who the hell is Aja Rock, anyway?"

Age? 22.

Marital status? Engaged.

Born and raised in? Vancouver/ Hawaii.

Films? Anything with Kevin Spacey, Christopher Walken, Johnny Depp.

Music? Anything but country. Mad respect for Johnny Cash, though. Loving Joss Stone's new album right now.

Favourite place in NZ? My farm outside Auckland.

Career highlights? Co-hosting with E! channel in Mexico, X Games, dancing for Janes Addiction and Madonna.

Favourite designer? Gwen Stefani's new clothing line and Frankie B.

Were you named after the Steely Dan album? Yes, Aja, my mom and dad loooved that album and when I was born there was no question what my name would be. I think it's absolutely beautiful and timeless. I still listen to it 22 years on.

Your father is rock producer Bob Rock. Who did he produce?

Haha, ummm, producing and engineering previous classics by Metallica, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, The Cranberries, American Hi-Fi, Bryan Adams, Tal Bachman, Bon Jovi, The Cult, and many others.

Why did you come to New Zealand?

It is the best place to have a family and when my son, Brooklyn, was born, I knew LA was not where I wanted to raise him. And having a Kiwi partner gave me the opportunity to come to NZ.

You recorded an album in 1999 that hasn't been released yet. What's the story?

Good question. I went to New York with a friend of mine to meet some producers, see if they were on the same wavelength as me as far as music was concerned. I ended up staying for three months, hanging in the studio creating music and laying down tracks, but as we progressed I found we were heading in a different direction with the music than I ultimately wanted, so I pulled the plug.

What modelling have you done in New Zealand?

I did Ralph magazine's "Sex Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll" issue. I was on the catwalk for NZ Fashion Week in my undies ... I'm going red again. But I prefer to do TV work over modelling.

What do you do to keep yourself in shape?

Lots of water - liquid for the soul. I do my best to keep active by doing things that I love - dirtbiking, horseback, soccer, tennis, swimming, biking, yoga and pilates, running around after a 16-month-old! I also try to balance that with lots of fresh veges from my garden. But my downfall is chocolate and pizza.

Do you believe in a woman's right to plastic surgery?

Well, I believe in the right of choice. My body my choice, that's how I look at plastic surgery. I think it's a very personal choice. It should be up to the individual.

How have you become more Kiwi since you've been here?

I now own a pair gumboots. I even wore them to the grocery store the other day. And I find myself watching the rugby more and more often. I have a chicken coop with hens and I catch myself saying "sweet as!"

Did you ever feel self-conscious prancing around in your togs on national TV?

Of course. I mean, I just had a baby five months prior, so that's where my self-consciousness came from. But I've always been pretty comfortable with my body anyway.

What's your next career move?

I'd like to have my own show, be creative and have fun with it. I'd like to do something that involves fashion and music and extreme sports.

Tell me three little-known facts about yourself?

I'm Canadian, not American. I'm a speed demon, whether it's in a car, on a dirtbike or on a snowboard. I have scoliosis - curvature of the spine.

Is there a downside to being so good- looking?

Well, people judge no matter what ... people expect me to be how they judge me. But that's the fun of it - proving myself different, having more than what the eye can see, that's what is important.