Shortly thereafter, some friends encouraged me to try out for the Miss South Carolina World beauty pageant. To my surprise, I won - and was sent to New York City to compete nationally.

I stared at the television in shock, watching as my private life was revealed to the world.

I was always an overachiever.

I had gained so much confidence through my college achievements that I wanted to tackle the world.

Parents are the weak link in the chain when it comes to protecting their children.

At thirteen I began modeling, doing my first television commercial in ninth grade for Pizza Hut.

Since it was too difficult to get into the Screen Actor's Guild in New York, I moved to Miami in 1982 and started a successful career as a television commercial actress, obtaining my SAG card there.