The Scratching Post: What pushed you to participate in Mr. Cougar even though it’s been all male in the past?

Mia Candocia: Last year, I performed with my friend Matt and I wanted a chance to perform again, because Mr. Cougar, unlike the musicals I’ve done, lets you do any type of talent. So I wanted to be able to actually perform the stuff I like to perform and not just be up there singing show tunes or rapping. It was never to make a point, and it was never to be like, ‘Oh, I’m doing it because I can’t do it’. People’s reactions to it have been making a point–I’m not doing anything.

TSP: What songs are you singing for lip sync?

MC: The Tipton hotel commercial songs. It was really stressful for me to pick a song, so I just went with a classic because everyone loves Disney. Another contestant is doing a bunch of Disney songs so I tried to avoid that as much as possible, but I ran out of ideas.

TSP: How do you want people to feel after watching your act?

MC: I know how they’re going to feel–they’re going to feel scared. But I hope that they’re not, I hope they feel empowered and enjoy it because my act isn’t like everyone else’s act because every year they do the same 10 acts so they get a little taste of everything, so I hope they are refreshed with something new to watch.

TSP: What was the interview process like?

MC: I made a portfolio for the interview process, just to give myself a little extra edge and so I would be prepared on the questions. Most of the questions were basic interview questions–they asked me what group song I think we should all dance too, and since I don’t listen to music a lot of people listen to, the only song that came to my mind was C’est la Vie by B Witched, and I hated myself, but I got in so I guess it worked out.

TSP: Is there anything else you wanted to add?

MC: I’m just glad that I was the first girl to do this, because I think if another girl did this, and she wasn’t bathing in self confidence like I am, she would drop out because people have been horrible. Every day a friend has come up to me and said, ‘Oh, someone was talking about you today,’ and I’d just be like, ‘Awesome,’– they’d be saying horrible things too, like, ‘Oh, Mia has a mental illness,’ ‘Of course she would do it,’ like terrible things, “I hate that they had to change the name,”– I’m just doing a performance. But, I’m excited. And everyone’s so mad that I’m wearing a suit. The only reason I’m doing it is because they gave us two days to go to David’s Bridal or Men’s Wearhouse, and the David’s Bridal stuff wasn’t set up, so I just made it easy for everyone and went to Men’s Wearhouse. Plus, I look really good in it, so people are probably just mad I look so good.