When Sir Mix-A-Lot released ‘Baby Got Back’ in 1992, and Mos Def complemented it with ‘Ms. Fat Booty’ in 1999, they were prematurely talking about Elke “The Stallion” Madler. The German-born beauty would rightfully claim her title-in-waiting by appearing in videos which featured Outkast, 50 Cent, and Mobb Deep in the early-to-mid 2000’s. From there, Elke (pronounced L-Key) forged her way through the urban modeling scene with her patented green eyes and other God-given assets. Now making California her permanent home, the 5’7”, 155lbs., college graduate with a 44-inch waist side sets forth to give the word ‘stallion’ a whole new meaning.
Armed with the business savvy that would rival some of the top entrepreneurs, she has formed Elke The Stallion Entertainment. A company that consists of all aspects pertaining to the entertainment industry, she plans on being more than just another big butt and a smile filled in a world where people view you from the neck down before deciding to find out if you’re intelligent or not. So it’s only right to visit a woman making people add the term ‘thoroughbred’ to their vocabulary.
Rap Sheet: When we first spoke, you talked about being from Germany, and then moving to California. Did you experience any culture when you moved to the states?
Elke: No because I’ve been to America plenty times on vacations, so I knew how it was out here, there’s not that big of a difference. But I didn’t come directly from Germany to America; I used to live in Costa Rica before I came to the United States.
Rap Sheet: How long were you there for?
Elke: Um… For about a year, it’s a beautiful country, but if you don’t have any money I wouldn’t suggest it as a country where you would want to reside in. But you can still make money out there, and you can buy property. It was a good experience, but I’m glad I live here now.
Rap Sheet: Right now you have Elke The Stallion Entertainment. What is exactly does your company consist of?
Elke: The idea behind Elke The Stallion Entertainment is not just to focus on me, but other girls as well and have an agency so that I’ll be able to send out other girls and help them out too; and just stuff like that. Just for it to be a broader company when it comes to entertainment, and not for it to just be about myself.
Rap Sheet: Are you hands-on with all facets of the company, or do you delegate?
Elke: I have a few people that help me, but I’m very controlling so I do like to be hands-on because I like to make sure that everything goes my way; and that it goes the way I imagined it. I’m very creative, but in certain areas, I let people do what I think is best, because they’ll have the right knowledge.
Rap Sheet: Is it difficult juggling modeling, maintaining your website, and your company?
Elke: No, because it all goes hand-and-hand. What I’ve learned over the years through my own modeling experience is benefiting me now as for building my company and venturing out. Now I can use everything I’ve learned to my advantage, so I think it’s been very helpful.
Rap Sheet: Were you nervous when you first started shooting?
Elke: No, I was never shy. A lot of these girls might have the physique and they want to model, but they don’t always have what it takes—and that includes bringing a certain style or flare to the camera. You can’t be shy, you just have to go out there and do it, like it’s a natural talent. Just like Mariah Carey, she was born with that voice, and the same thing goes for modeling; you need to have that confidence.
Rap Sheet: Have you ever been asked to do something on a shoot that you thought was way too weird or risky?
Elke: I had a couple of times where photographers or even the people that hired me would suggest certain poses, and I would decline and tell them that I don’t do that. Now I have no issues, because I always speak my mind, and they know that. Sometimes they’ll be like, “Hey, maybe you should do this, or maybe you should do that.” Then I just tell them I’m not comfortable doing those poses, I let them know, and most of the time they’re fine with it.
Rap Sheet: Was your family supportive of you when you first broke into the business?
Elke: Well my parents live in Costa Rica, so when I started I was already out here. I came to America by myself, so therefore there was no one to support me. My parents didn’t really know what I was doing, and calling to Costa Rica is expensive, so it’s not like I talk to them everyday. But I was always modeling in Germany, and they knew that I wanted to break into the entertainment industry. My mom made sure I had a college degree, that’s all she was worried about. She said as long as I went to college and had a degree—after that, I could do whatever I wanted to do.
Rap Sheet: So they don’t mind your photo selection?
Elke: I don’t think my mom has ever seen my website, I don’t think she even has the Internet at her house. I’ve sent her some pictures, like bikini stuff, but my mom doesn’t care; she’s not worried about it. Her most important thing was no smoking and no drugs in her house. That was the number one thing for her, and everything else was fine.
Rap Sheet: Are there any other avenues in the entertainment business you want to get into?
Elke: I’m sure it’s cliché to say, but I want to sing, and I actually sang before I got into the whole Hip-Hop urban industry. I was in the studio, and I actually recorded some stuff, and I have a pretty good voice. I’ve done the modeling, and I was so focused on that, now I think it’s time to get back in the studio and start singing again. I REALLY know how to sing. So I want to really make that another avenue for me to get out there.
Rap Sheet: So you’re not one of theses, “I can only sing good in the shower” types are you? [Laughs]
Elke: [Laughs] No I have a really good tone, and I have a really strong voice. I had vocal coaches and singing coaches, so I have some skills… [Laughing]
Rap Sheet: What’s been the most difficult thing about being in your profession?
Elke: Well once you’re established, you’re established. People are always going to put you in the top five or the top ten when it comes to the urban modeling field. For me, it’s just more of a constant battle between the fans and the way I look versus the industry people who call the shots; because they want me to lose 15-20 pounds, cause they think I’m too heavy. So it’s a constant battle because it’s like, “Do I please the industry people who call the shots and are going to pay me the money?” Or “Do I please my fans who really love girls like me?”
I wish that the industry would realize that who I am is what’s in demand, and these people don’t want me to lose 15 pounds; they want me to be the way I am. So it’s kind of like, “When are you going to get it?” My thousands and thousands of fans out there get it, so when are you going to get it?
Rap Sheet: I know that you recently got a new tattoo over at LA Ink with Kat Von D, talk about that a little bit.
Elke: Well it’s not done yet, it’s a very big tattoo, and we have a third shoot date coming up. From there it should be done, so I’m very excited, it’s going to be amazing, and y’all are going to see it on TV. The new season airs in October, but I’m not sure when my particular episode is going to air.
Rap Sheet: Can you talk about what the tattoo is, or do you want to keep it a surprise?
Elke: I want to keep it a surprise… [Laughing] I wanted to get this particular tattoo for a long time, and I don’t know when or how it happened, but I was talking to [Mr.] Cartoon at one point to see if he wanted to do my tattoo. Then I guess through the grapevine or from just people talking, I got an email from LA Ink and they said they knew whom I was and what I did, and asked if they could do it on the show. They do great work, so why not?
Rap Sheet: How was the atmosphere over there, was it busy just like on the show?
Elke: Everybody was really nice, professional, and the shop looks just like it does on TV. All the tattoo artists were in the shop, and it was really good. They have some amazing artists over there; they have so much talent, its ridiculous. My tattoo didn’t even hurt, I was in no pain, and they know exactly what they’re doing.
Rap Sheet: If you weren’t in the entertainment business, what else would you be doing?
Elke: I really love fashion, so I would probably do something in fashion. I would definitely be doing something really artsy and creative.
Rap Sheet: Are you single or taken?
Elke: I’m taken… [Smiles]
Rap Sheet: Is it hard to balance your relationship along with everything else you have on your plate?
Elke: It’s not hard, I make enough time for the relationship, and so it all works out. It works out pretty good, during my down time, I spend time with him and we just relax.
Rap Sheet: What can a man do to impress you?
Elke: Hmm… [Laughing] I like realism. For example: Especially out here in “Hollywood” people are always running around saying they have this and they have that. If you say that you have it, at least be real about it and show it to me; you know what I mean? If you don’t have any money, then don’t say you do. Don’t try to impress me by saying that you have sh*t, and don’t get mad if you offer something, and I take it. I hate when people offer things, and they when you’re like “Well where is it?” They’re like, “What? You just want me for my money?”
If you don’t want to offer anything, then be quiet, I hate people like that. It just makes me angry when people try to impress you, then they get mad at you and call you gold digger when they’re the ones putting it out there. That happens all the time out here. But if you go to places like Atlanta, they have the money and they throw it around like they just don’t care. But out here in Hollywood, everyone is on some fake sh*t, and I hate that.
Rap Sheet: What do you find sexy about a man?
Elke: Height… I love a tall man. Plus I like very lean guys, like boarder line skinny. Not like “Snoop Dogg skinny,” but I really like a basketball physique.
Rap Sheet: Like a guy that’s around 6’4” or 6’5” and between 220-230 pounds?
Elke: Yeah, like that. I don’t really like the football player physique. I also like a guy that has a little thug in him mixed with a gentleman that happens to be sexy chocolate… [Laughing]
