As the host of MTV’s “Guy Code,” “Girl Code” and “Guy Court,” Melanie Iglesias has learned countless things about relationships by talking to blabbermouthed, camera-hamming men and women around the country — from whether you should poop in front of your significant other to how to take the best selfie for sexting. Born in Brooklyn (“I’ve lived in all five boroughs except for one!” she says excitedly), the 27-year-old Iglesias first catapulted into the public eye when she beat out 7,000 other girls to become Maxim magazine’s Hometown Hotties winner in 2010.
And thanks to her on-air charm — a mixture of former MTV hosts Jenny McCarthy’s on-screen ballsiness and Carmen Electra’s playfully sultry interviewing style — Melanie has become one of TV’s most in-demand personalities (she also hosts MTV2’s “MLB Off the Bat,” on which she takes major leaguers into fish-out-of-water scenarios, like smashing cars in a junkyard).
She even takes improv-comedy classes at NYC’s famous Upright Citizens Brigade theater, cofounded by Amy Poehler, to hone her skills. “It helps me be on my toes,” Iglesias says. “I’m naturally inquisitive — I love meeting people, and I love being goofy.”
In honor of the Sex Issue, Melanie got between the sheets for us at the Benjamin Hotel and took our annual sex survey, dishing on the best place to meet men online, what really pleases women in bed and her relationship with her new boyfriend, whose name she won’t confirm — though her Instagram is full of photos of her with “Step Up All In” actor Ryan Guzman.
How did you and your boyfriend meet?
I was following some random Twitter accounts, and I came across him and thought he was cute. He was working on a small movie project that he funded himself. So I decided to say hello.
What did you say exactly?
I said, “Awww, hi.” And he said, “Hey, what’s up?” instantly. The conversation never stopped. We spoke every day for six weeks straight on Skype. Later, I got a job in LA, where he lives, and we hung out the entire weekend. We’ve been inseparable ever since.
After Skype-ing for weeks, how was that first face-to-face meeting?
It was easy. You want to find out if you’re being catfished or not! We started dating in November 2013, but we made it official Jan. 1.
How would you describe yourself as a girlfriend?
I’m a messy girlfriend — hair all over the place.
When you’re dating somebody new, how many sex partners would be too many for you to consider dating them?
My friends and I have this rule: You’re allowed one person for each year that you’ve been sexually active, although we are all way below that number, which is good. I just don’t want to be at a party where you keep running into people that have been with your guy. It would be like, “How many people? What the hell?” That gets a little old.
Has your taste in guys changed over the years?
I’ve never dated the same kind of guy twice. I’ve dated every different kind: an entrepreneur, a guy in advertising, a guy in the music industry, guys who were short, tall, skinny, fat. I always said I’d never date a guy with a six-pack, because I just didn’t think he would be comfortable to cuddle with, and then I met my boyfriend and we had no problem cuddling.
One of your past boyfriends cheated on you. What happened?
I don’t want to get into too much detail. But I do think it’s the best thing that ever happened to me, because now I’m so thankful for the people in my life who would never hurt me.
Which dating Web site/app has the hottest people on it?
I guess Twitter was my dating Web site, because that’s how I met my boyfriend! But I’d say Facebook — going through your friends’ cute friends.
Have you ever texted or e-mailed nude or sexy photographs of yourself to someone else?
I know sexting is a really popular thing right now. I do think it helps, because it’s a reminder that you’re gonna see each other soon. But I think it’s dangerous because you can screenshot anything.
Do you consider sexting someone else — while you’re in a relationship — cheating?
Yes. If you’re sexting somebody else, it’s absolutely cheating. People think cheating is a physical activity, but it’s not. Cheating is intent. It’s an emotional thing. It’s giving your time to somebody else.
Are you able to see people having sex from your apartment, and if so, have you watched?
I have been watching television and looked at the offices across the street and seen people doing the dirty with the [blinds] wide open. I just closed my blinds.
Have you and your significant other given each other a “hall pass,” in which you’re allowed to sleep with one person outside of the relationship?
I used to joke that mine was Christopher Walken. But seriously, we can’t have one because we’re both in the industry, and we’re probably gonna meet that person!
Does size matter?
Yes and no. What a lot of men don’t understand is that for women, what comes before the actual deed is the most important thing. Men think bigger is better, and that’s not always the case.