Girl On: Jamie Little

Chances are you’d recognize Jamie Little if you saw her. From an FHM cover shoot to hosting the X games and recently becoming the female face of NASCAR, this 28 year old bombshell is definitely living life in the fast lane. Jamie started dirt biking at age 13 under the tutelage of Cary Hart and has since parlayed her love of speed and all things powered by motors to a career in broadcasting. With a schedule that has her on the road close to 35 weeks out of the year, not to mention her modeling gigs and social calendar, Jamie Little is a hard woman to track down. A tomboy at heart, Jamie still loves to get dirty with the boys on the track every chance she gets. What I really want to know is how all the drivers stay focused during a pit stop when Jamie is standing there looking gorgeous even in a one-piece race suit! Since her debut in broadcasting at the 2000 Gravity Games, Jamie’s seen action sports, and especially motocross and moto freestyle, catapult themselves into Mainstream America. Lat34 caught up with Jamie somewhere between here and there to ask her a few questions about life in the fast lane…did I mention she’s single?

PHOTO GALLERY    Check out photos of Girl On Jamie Little View Gallery>

Lat34: Where are you living currently?

Lat34: How did you get into broadcasting action sports and car racing?

JL: I was introduced to Motocross through Carey Hart (married to Pink and long-time racer and Freestyle Moto rider) when I was 13.  I was always a tomboy so I took a natural liking to dirtbikes!  When I was 18, I began helping out a local cameraman for ESPN and learning the ropes in television.  I began "live" announcing for the AMA Supercross series in 2000 and did that for four years.  Through that time, I convinced ESPN to give me a shot at X Games.  That sparked the relationship that I currently have with them. 

Lat34: How long have you been hosting the X-games?

JL: I actually started covering action sports at the Gravity Games for NBC.  I was one of four hosts in '00-'01. I covered all of the disciplines at that point. It was in '01 that my buddy Carey Hart attempted the first ever back flip on a dirt bike there.  I did the follow up interview.  It was awesome.  Since then, I've covered the Summer and Winter X Games for ESPN since '02.

Lat34: How have you seen the X-games change during that time?

JL: The progression of all sports involved. The X Games are the Olympics of action sports and by that, it's the say all be all.  What you see at Winter X Games in the Ski and Snowboard events is what you're seeing in the Olympics now.  It's pretty amazing.  The X Games has brought action sports to the mainstream market. There isn't a person I come across these days who hasn't heard of the X Games.

Lat34: Tell me about your FHM photo shoot? Did you enjoy it?

JL: The FHM shoot was a lot of fun.  Being a woman, it's always fun to get "glammed up".  The hair, the makeup, the (small) clothes, big cameras and great lights make for a great outcome no matter the person.  It was a little nerve racking because I wore body paint.  It looked like I had a bathing suit on but it was actual paint with some fabric glued on. It was a bummer when the cover came out because they airbrushed my bottoms off and made it look like I was naked behind the paint can.  It's amazing the free rein a magazine can take in those situations.  Overall, I was excited about it.

Lat34: What other events are you currently working with/hosting?

JL: Right now I'm getting ready for Winter X Games.  After that, I'm all NASCAR all the time!   I will be traveling on the road about 36 weekends for NASCAR this year covering about 50 races.  I won't have time for anything else!  I've also covered the IndyCar series (open wheel) for the last three years.  I will be back covering the Indy 500 this year for ABC as well.

Lat34: Any crazy or funny stories from the life of a T.V host?

JL: My life is fun!  I come away with great stories every single week!  It's such an intense job...there's nothing like LIVE television!  Last year at Winter X Games, it was snowing so all the MotoX guys decided they were going to start a snowball fight...while I was reporting, I got a snowball in the face!  It was all in good fun and made for good tv. I chased the rider who I thought did it and I didn't know the cameras were rolling!  It ended up being Jeremy Stenberg who threw it!

Lat34: Tell me about some of your favorite activities or sports?

JL: I love anything with a motor.  I like riding my dirt bikes, I like driving race cars, I love boxing, I love working out.  I actually raced downhill mountain bikes for  a couple years in the "Sport" class. I took home five victories.  That was truly a highlight!

Lat34: I have to know, does speed turn you on?

JL: Speed makes me excited no doubt!  When I hear race cars floor it in unison at the sight of the green flag or at a Supercross race when all 20 riders are revved full bore in anticipation of the gate dropping, that's as  exciting as it gets!!!