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Monday, August 27, 2007
‘Rodeo’ still riding after TV stint ends
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The TV world knows her as “Rodeo,” thanks to a VH1 reality show in which 25 women have competed for the heart of Bret Michaels, lead vocalist for the metal band, Poison.
Years ago, when she trained at Gold’s Gym in Lilburn, most folks knew her as Cindy Steedle, a single-mom bent on fitness.
In March, Steedle was tapped to take part in “Rock of Love,” a celebrity reality dating show that wraps this fall. She returned home in episode No. 4, but it wasn’t Michaels’ doing. Eric, Steedle’s 7-year-old son took ill. He’d been living with his father while she filmed in L.A. Steedle, 39, decided to return home. He’s fine now, and attends a local school that Steedle declined to identify.
Some fans said she was crazy for leaving the show, but Steedle, a Newnan native, never had doubts.
“A lot of people said that I looked insane in that episode,” she told me. “But I promised God that I would take care of Eric.”
Even before “Rock of Love,” she was a fitness figure competitor and personal trainer who’d modeled for health and fitness magazines. In fact, it was a magazine photo that caught the attention of a scout for the show.
In the first episode of “Rock of Love,” Michaels stared into the camera and said he’d felt a connection between him and “Rodeo.” I asked Steedle if she really would have hooked up with the multi-platinum rocker if she’d been chosen.
“That was my focus,” she said. “We connected on a major level, especially when we talked about children, and I told him I’d had cancer. His mom had cancer. He’s a wonderful man.”
For now, she’s trying to capitalize on celebrity, make it profitable and sustainable. Her manager, David Spiggle, says she has shelf life.
“Nextel just bought her laugh for a ring tone,” he said. “I thought this would be 10 or 15 minutes of fame, but it’s taken a life it’s own.”
Several projects or events are in the works. One takes place Sept. 3 at Dominick’s Restaurant in downtown Norcross, when Steedle will be a guest celebrity at an after-party bash for Poison. The band plays the same night at the HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. C.C. DeVille, the band’s guitarist, is the party host.
Michaels, the frontman, won’t attend. Contracts prevent the rocker and Steedle from appearing together or talking. They haven’t spoken since she left the show.
She’s kept busy, though. Radio spots. Appearances. Ideas. There are plans to develop a line of hats and clothes. She may model shoes. She was already a partner with USWellness Meats, a Midwest company that sells grass-fed meats. That same company sells “Rodeo’s Rise n Shine BBQ Sauce” and “Rodeo’s Rise n Shine” sausage.
Now about the nickname. Steedle was celebrating a friend’s birthday at Wild Bill’s in Duluth one night. Someone told her she’d look great in a cowboy hat, like a rodeo girl. It stuck.
Now the world knows that name.
Cindy “Rodeo” Steedle and “Big John,” Bret Michael’s bodyguard, are to host a bartender’s contest at 7 p.m. Tuesday night, Aug. 28, at Frankie’s Sports Grill, 5600 Roswell Road, Atlanta. Details: 404-843-9444. For more information about the Sept. 3 End-of-Tour Bash, visit DominickslittleItaly.com or call 770-449-1611.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
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