JMG: You recently launched your new Carmen Electra perfume. What made you decide to create your own fragrance?
Carmen Electra: Well I’m really excited now because it’s actually online at Amazon, Ross, Marshalls, Burlington and TJ Maxx. It’s doing really well and I’m excited. This has been a year in the making. I really didn’t know if the company that brought me on would give me creative control and freedom to design the bottle and the fragrance the way I wanted it to be. As far as the bottle, I really wanted it to stand out almost like an art piece. I envisioned it to be very playful, with leopard print and big sexy red lips. That’s how I envisioned the bottle and they just went for it. So I feel really lucky. My team was also open for me to help with the scent. It’s the perfect scent that I wanted, with a little guidance of course. But I’m really proud of how everything turned out.

We created a cocktail of juicy mandarin orange, peach, blackberry, jasmine, and tiger wood, enhanced with liquid caramel. And actually the only thing I wasn’t sure about was adding sensual musk. But the way they explained it to me is that it gives a scent a more addicting, long-lasting impression. A lot of the feedback I got on it is that people liked it because it lasts longer. I know when you think of musk it sounds kind of weird. But you don’t really smell the musk, it just allows the fragrance to linger and stay on longer.

Was there a certain fragrance that you wore that inspired you to create your own perfume?
I would go in and out of using different fragrances and oils, but before my perfume was created, I was using a lot of lavender. I always remember this scent that had sweet notes to it. Gardenia has always been one of my favorite scents and so they were excellent in helping me bring the exact fragrance I wanted to represent me. Obviously, I’m not an expert to go into a lab and start mixing things up. But they gave me creative freedom and I’m so grateful for that.

The last time we spoke three years ago, you had just released your single, “I Like It Loud.” Will you be releasing any new music anytime soon?
I’m definitely getting back to music. I stopped because I was hosting a show on WE tv, and it looks like I’m going to have another project (soon). It’s in the works right now for premiere around March and April. After that’s finished, I’ll go right back into the studio, ’cause you know that’s what I love to do.