If Kat Von D was the breakout star of TLC’s tattoo reality show “Miami Ink,” here’s to hoping that Pixie Acia will be the breakout star of “L.A. Ink.” Pixie got our attention with her bifurcated tongue, bikini fashions, and birthday cake tattoos, but it’s her bubbly personality and “shut the front door” catchphrase we love most. We caught up with the “L.A. Ink” shop manager recently and chatted with her about her favorite reality shows, her many body mods, and her one-time appearance on the freaks and geeks episode of “Fear Factor.”

What were you doing before “L.A. Ink?”
I was doing makeup and working at Swingers, which is a diner I absolutely love. Makeup I’ve been pursuing forever, and I was doing that freelance.

Have you stopped doing that now that the show has taken off?
Well I don’t work at Swingers anymore, but I still do makeup. I do Kat’s makeup for all her shoots and I do music videos and stuff like that.

How long does it take to shoot a season of the show?
It takes about three months of shooting in the shop, but between promotional stuff and photo shoots, about four or five months.

You’re a reality TV alumni, correct? Didn’t you win “Fear Factor?”
We didn’t actually win. We won the first day and the second day, and we won $20,000 and a trip to Florida, but we didn’t win the whole thing. It’s funny because I was never an aspiring actress or wanted to be on reality TV, it just kind of happened. It’s fun, but I’m very aware it’s going to be a short-lived thing. I’m just trying to have a really good time while it’s happening.

Did Joe Rogan hit on you?
No. He was actually not very nice to me at all.

Why?
I was really excited, and I think I was talking too much or something. They announced that we had won the trip to Florida and I was jumping up and down and I interrupted him. He told me to shut the fuck up. It’s alright though. He’s a fighter, I get it.

Who’s funnier, Joe Rogan or Carlos Mencia?
I think Joe Rogan’s kind of funny actually. But I appreciate that kind of sense of humor. He’s kind of an asshole.

What was it that first got you into body modification?
I don’t know. I was 14 when I got my first tattoo and by the time I was 17 I had like fifteen or twenty. I got my first piercing the same time I got my first tattoo. I don’t know what it was — I think I’m creative and I always saw tattoos and piercings as a cool way to adorn yourself.

How did you get your first tattoo at age 14?
Hanging out at the wrong shop at the wrong time with the wrong people.

Have you kept track of how many modifications you have?
After a while they all just sort of blend together.

How big are the spacers are in your ears?
They’re an inch and a quarter. I was a body piercer for four years so I’m familiar with all that stuff.

Will you continue to stretch them do you think?
No, I think I’m good where I am now. They’re my favorite modification on my body and I think they’re really beautiful.

The Pixies or Pixy Stix?
Both.

Would you ever pose for Playboy?
I don’t think so — mostly because it’s nude. It’d be really cool and I think I’d like it, but I don’t think so.

Maxim?
Totally.

Do you have any favorite reality shows?
“L.A. Ink!” I don’t watch TV actually. I didn’t have a TV until the show started and then I got cable. Now my friends come over and we laugh at how stupid they edit me.

Do you feel like they make characters out of everyone on the show?
We’re each definitely a character, but I’m just the shop manager so I don’t get as much real airtime. I just kind of pop in and say something here and there. It’s all stuff that I do say — it’s not scripted by any means — but I just think it’s funny that I’ve been in a bikini in the first couple of episodes and I say pretty stupid things. I guess I’m kind of a goofball and don’t realize it. There’s a lot more to me than I like to shake my ass.

Do you feel like they’re making you out to be the shop sexpot?
Maybe, but I don’t care. They do it in a lighthearted, playful way. I know that its TV and its not real so I’m not really worried about how they’re representing me.

Can one be both a yuppie and punk?
Totally! And that’s totally me. I’m getting a manicure/pedicure right now and that’s not very punk rock.

Related posts: Q&A: Kat Von D of ‘Miami Ink’ | A (Not So) Complete History of TV Show Tattoos | Q&A: Jim Lindberg of Pennywise