SHE'S the newest face on the MTV block.

But Taya Rogers is what you'd call a reluctant celebrity. Even her mother had to persuade her to jump into the business. In a phone interview with The New Paper from Bangkok, the 21-year-old actress-host of Thai-American descent said she was first approached to be a child model 10 years ago.

Born in California, Taya's family moved to Thailand when she was 8 because her mother got a job there. "Apparently, there's a huge market in Thailand for kids who are half-Thai, half-European or American.

"But I never wanted to try it because I was really shy as a kid. It was my Mum who talked me into it and it really built my confidence," she said.

With her parents' support, Taya gave modelling a shot, but it was tough.

"I was already insecure and shy, so it was even harder on me when I didn't get booked on my first audition.

"But when I finally did my first job, I couldn't believe I could do things in front of a camera.

"I just ended up loving the job," said the bubbly host who is now signed up with artiste management company Seven95ive, which is co-owned by MTV VJ Utt.

Modelling eventually led to acting.

When she was 12, Taya got her big break in Thai horror flick 303 Fear Faith Revenge.

CAN'T SCREAM PROPERLY

She said with a laugh: "I was really scared at first. I had no acting experience - I didn't know how to scream properly."

Most recently, she is the dark-haired beauty in American pop-rock band Boys Like Girls' music video, The Great Escape. She may not be well known in Singapore yet, but you can catch her on MTV Asia (StarHub Ch 20) co-hosting Pop Inc with Utt.

She said: "I grew up watching VJs like Nadya (Hutagalung) and Sonia (Couling). But I hope that I don't get compared to anyone just because we're working for the same channel."

Taya is also working on a Thai action drama serial where she unleashes her inner diva as a "brash and sometimes irrational character".

"(The character I'm playing) is really emotional. She yells and throws things at people when she's angry," she said.

"Even if I wanted to, I couldn't do stuff like that. If I go to a restaurant and throw a plate just because I'm not happy with the food, my diva fit will be splashed across the tabloids."

In 2000, she moved back to California to complete high school and university as school was "always a priority" for her.

Said the communications and marketing graduate: "I couldn't have stayed in Thailand to work even if I wanted to because I made a pact with my dad that I would stay on the honour roll in school or I can't work."

This story was first published in The New Paper on 20 Sep 2007