Dancing with stars

If things had turned out differently, you might have seen Erika Hamilton reporting for Channel 9 instead of starring in iPod commercials.
The Piqua native, 27, a 2001 University of Cincinnati graduate and a former WCPO intern, moved East to pursue a dance career, a decision that led to gigs dancing for the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks and then an audition for an iPod commercial. (She's appeared in two: one in December and a recent one featuring Bob Dylan.

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We spoke to Hamilton - who holds down a day job in online marketing - just before she visited family in Piqua and Greater Cincinnati.

Answer: I was a sports intern. They let me go out with a photographer and I would do off-camera interviews. I produced a couple times and I edited a lot.

I was never on the air, but they gave me credit at the end of the night. Then I applied to get a job (at WCPO) and I had been hired and then at the last minute I decided to move to Philly. I was there for two years and danced for the Sixers.

Q: What's your dance background?
A: I was a gymnast all throughout elementary school and junior high. And I had taken ballet classes.

When I got to UC, I made the dance team. And I started taking dance classes at the university: modern, jazz, more ballet.
Q: How did you get the iPod commercials?

A: The Knicks manager had gotten us attached with a (talent) agency. Last year, I had been getting sent out quite often on different auditions ..

. The dancing that you see me doing in the Dylan commercial, it's really me dancing to a different beat, a different song.
Q: What was the shoot like?

A: It was intense. They had eight dancers and everyone was insanely good. They only put four in the commercial.

We got there at 7 in morning and didn't leave until 9 at night.
Q: What's on your own iPod?
A: I listen to lot of old school, '80s songs, power ballads.

I listen to hip-hop - I love to have something to dance to.
Q: "Dancing with the Stars" or "So You Think You Can Dance?"
A: I watch them both.

Q: What do you miss most about Cincinnati?
A: The first thing I'm going to get (when I go home) is LaRosa's ..

. And I miss driving around.
Q: Do you think you'll go back to broadcasting?

A: I'm just trying to take my life day by day ...

Whatever happens, happens.