Aliya-Jasmine Sovani is smart, sexy, kinetic. Chatting with her is like a vigorous game of tennis; serve up a question, she’ll whack it right back. For instance, I ask about beauty being a double-edged sword – an idea she’s commented on in the past. Yes and no, she quickly says. No, she has no problem being regarded as beautiful or sexy or hot, or any compliment along those lines. On the other hand, yes, she’s bugged by the double standard faced by women in the media. People are happy to say female journalists are beautiful and talented, but less quick to admit they’re beautiful and smart. But, she continues, look at Anderson Cooper – with his coiffed hair and resplendent ties. No one questions his intelligence, despite his scintillating looks. Point taken.

Gallery: More pics of Aliya-Jasmine

I move on, asking Sovani about interviewing celebrities. She says the key is to just listen, the most underrated journalistic skill. I nod. A small silence ensues. I am listening, just listening, having taken her advice to heart. She is also listening, legs tucked under her, silent, Sphinx-like.

To break the stalemate, I ask about the music scene and the key to identifying up-and-coming bands. Sovani declares that she loves music, goes to concerts, catches opening acts at small clubs. She loves ’80s hair metal but also mainstream music too – a predisposition for the eclectic that emerges in her answers about everything from food (loves fine Italian cuisine, but also McDonald´s) to fashion (loves the tailored ad executive look, but mixed with Mötley Crüe). I ask if music videos are still relevant.

“I think that music videos are fucking amazing!” Sovani replies, citing by way of example the buzz around the release of “Dead and Gone” by T.I. and Justin Timberlake.

Having never heard of the video or song (or T.I.), I check it out on YouTube. She’s right: nearly 3.5 million views. Impressive. It opens with a solemn quote from Corinthians, white lettering upon black screen, then a spare piano plays – a silhouette of a muscle car crosses a barren landscape – and a grave voice (T.I.?) ruminates on the mistakes he’s made, the lessons learned. Wow. Heavy. Maybe music videos are still a relevant form of narrative expression. Who knew?

Aliya-Jasmine Sovani – social activist, food fanatic, animal lover, former visual arts student, world traveller, Lois Lane adherent, comic book nerd, gentle would-be eco-terrorist, and proponent of the stiletto heel – is the face of MTV News and the host of MTV2 Videos.

Sovani recently met with photographer Franco Deleo at his Toronto studio for this exclusive TORO Woman shoot and revealed insights into her personality in the following Q&A.

Q: What is the quality you like most in a man?
A: Sense of humour.

Q: Quality you like most in a woman?
A: Breasts! [laughs]. But no, seriously, someone who is genuine.

Q: What is your present state of mind?
A: The happiest I’ve ever been.

Q: What is your idea of perfect happiness.
A: Warm weather, my dog, great music, bikini.

Q: What historical figure do you most identify with?
A: Can I say Lois Lane?

Q: Sure. But why?
A: Well, first of all, she’s the reason that I wanted to become a reporter - you know, working for the Daily Planet. When I used to read Superman comics, I really saw her as this great feminist. The funny thing is, as I grew older and started collecting vintage Superman comics, I realized that she used to be a completely different character – she used to be this submissive woman who really just wanted to get married to Superman. But throughout the ages, the comic book has really reflected the evolution of women, and I find that really interesting. She’s become this feisty, don’t-fuck-with-me reporter, who knows that she likes this A-list guy – Superman! – but just doesn’t have the time to look at Clark Kent. She’s a cool chick.

Q: What living person do you most admire?
A: If I could be anyone, I would probably want to be Anderson Cooper. He’s a cool guy. He can talk about what’s going on in the Middle East, and know the facts of the situation like the back of his hand, but then also go and co-host Regis and Kelly and talk about what Britney Spears is up to. He’s just the funniest, coolest guy, and I really look up to him.

Q: What’s your greatest extravagance or indulgence?
A: It would be something that I’d never experienced before - a mix of things: swimming with sharks, going to new restaurants, a warm country, just stuff that I haven’t done before. But I definitely like to set the bar on indulgence when it comes to music, clothes, whatever I collect, booze, you name it. But especially food!

Q: What is your most treasured possession?
A: George Hamilton. My dog. I’ve honestly never felt this way about anything else. He’s a little mutt that I rescued, and he’s so cute. And when I got him, he was all black and tanned, and he would just sit in front of the mirror and stare at himself. He’s totally narcissistic! So: George Hamilton.

Q: What God-given talent would you like to have, other than ones that you are already blessed with?
A: I wish that I could sing, more than anything in the world. I’m completely tone deaf. Or to play drums or guitar. And there’s nothing I love more in life than going to see live music, but I just can’t do it for the life of me.

Q: Other than your present occupation, is there another occupation that you’d like to try?
A: I think an eco-terrorist, but not an illegal one. Does that make sense?

Q: If you were to die and come back as a person and/or thing, what would it be?
A: I’d like to come back as Oprah’s successor. That would be cool. The heir to Oprah’s throne. Yeahhh!

Q: Your greatest fear?
A: To see an animal in turmoil.

Q: What trait do you deplore most in others?
A: Ignorance and arrogance. I think they go hand in hand.

Q: What trait do you deplore most in yourself.
A: The thing that I don’t like in myself, more than anything, is that I can be judgmental. Oh, and also that I swallow my gum. I’ve been doing that since I was eight years old. It’ a horrible thing that I do, although my doctor tells me that gum does not stay permanently in the system, as some maintain. But that’s really the one thing that I hate that I do!

Q: Is there anything that you would change about your appearance?
A: Well, for a lot of my life I thought that I would change my scars. I have a lot of scars on my body from a car accident. But they have become the tattoo of my strength, and – funny enough – one of the things that I now love most about myself.

Q: What is your motto.
A: Be happy, and fuck the rest.