One of the chief complaints among the acting fraternity is the public's insistence on confusing the actor with the character. Thus, soap opera cads get harangued in public by outraged old ladies, and Hollywood vixens are assumed to be as sex mad in real life as their on-screen persona.

For TV presenter, actress and former Miss USA, Ali Landry, this can get particularly irksome. Ali is the somersaulting, back-flipping, snack-scoffing Doritos girl in their latest advert - a role that has led to some strange encounters on the streets of her adopted home, Los Angeles. 'When people recognise me they say things like, 'Oh, I wanna get a crisp so I can throw it at you',' she says. 'Or, 'Can you wipe your mouth just like you do in the ad?'. It has been very positive for me, but you can kinda see how that sort of thing could get annoying.'

Ali's recently been travelling, and she made sure she saw all the sights when she visited London. But what particular aspect of our vibrant culture did she take back to the States?

'Vodka and Red Bull. That's my new favourite drink. I came back raving about it and now I've got all my friends in LA trying it.' But despite her current fame, Ali is not in a serious relationship. 'The problem is finding a man who can handle me,' she says. 'I don't take any crap, and if a man gives me a little bit of leeway, I'll completely take control. I do like the man to be a man. Women really rule the world, but I like the man to think he has some say.'