What's your name?Marissa Jaret Winokur
What's your hometown? I grew up in Bedford, NY but now I live in LA with my husband and son.
How old are you?36
What's your relationship status?Married

As a child, what was your favorite thing to do?Arts and crafts, kick ball, and singing like Ethel Merman.
Would you rather dance or act?Act like I'm dancing!
What's your favorite type of movie to act in?I would love to do a horror -- like really scary!
What do you suggest to people to gain the success you have accomplished? You have to figure out what you do best and stick with it. Don't try to do 1,000 things -- do one thing the best you can. Also, once you find yourself -- don't change. People will always want you to be something else BUT if you are busy trying to be something you're not and trying to please everyone else, you'll never be happy and you'll miss the perfect role.
Do you consider yourself a mentor to the contestants of the show? YES, I hope so. I spend as much time with the contestants as I can. I know what they are going through from the dance-show part to the dieting part! I have been through it all and I am still going through it. I think what I did on DWTS inspired them, but what they do on DYAO inspires me.
What was it like trying to make it in the entertainment industry being overweight? I was always very lucky, but the thing I hated the most was going to wardrobe fittings. No one in Hollywood really knows how to dress anyone over a size 4. I am always bringing my own cloths. I tell them, "Get what you would get for a size 4 -- just buy it in a size 12!" It's very frustrating.
Who's your celeb crush? Matthew Morrison (star of Fox's new show Glee) and Jennifer Lopez.
What's your favorite guilty pleasure (food, TV, movies, etc.)? OH, I HAVE SO MANY! I love reality TV -- I watch it all. I love snacks! I love bad 80s movies! My favs are Top Model, Doritos, and Working Girl.

What is your favorite type of food? I love salty cheesy foods.
What do you consider to be the best way to lose weight? Count calories and exercise -- slow and steady (no crash diets!).

What's your favorite type of dance? I'm old-school Broadway. I like production numbers -- musical theater dancing. I love Fosse and tap.
What are your feelings on dancing to lose weight rather than dieting? I think dancing is the best way. It's good for your mind, soul and body. It's hard to get on a treadmill and run (it gets boring), but if you like to dance then you will have fun and it will be more like you are learning a new skill and less like a chore.

What is your favorite type of exercise? Cardio Barre class (it's a combo of ballet bar and cardio exercise).
Do you think that in order to be successful you must be a certain weight? Obviously not!

Whom do you most admire?Now that I am a mother...my mom.
Is there anyone you would like to thank for pushing you to make it this far with your career? I have been very blessed to have amazing teachers in my life. In the 6th grade, I was just a restless kid who was bad in class. My music teacher, Mr. Don Walter, saw something special in me and pushed me in the right direction. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't have such a special teacher. He single-handedly changed my life! Also my voice teacher, Eric Vetro -- he is my singing teacher as an adult, and he helped me find "Tracy Turnblad's" voice. I work with him on everything I do.
What's your idea of the perfect weekend? Date night? It all changed now that Zev (my son ) is here. The perfect weekend is driving to the beach with my two boys and going to the park, eating sushi, and going to sleep by 8pm. I actually forget what I used to do after 8pm, and I love it. Any time my husband and I do something new with Zev, it's the perfect day!
What makes you feel sexy? Two very different outfits. First, my hair in a tight, low bun, PJ bottoms, tank top (no bra), and just out of the bath! OR, a very, very tight dress with Spanx and tight undergarments (sucking me in), with big, fake, long, gold earrings, my hair as big as possible, spray-tanned, long nails, and the perfect high-high heels!