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It’s a rare, rainy day in Los Angeles but that’s not keeping a busy Karli Henriquez down. The spunky host of MTV Tr3s’ “Karlifornia” is getting ready for her other gig as radio personality, Karli from the Block, on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles. The L.A. dynamo knows her turf and doesn’t plan to let up anytime soon…

Did you get your start in radio?

Yes I did, on KIIS-FM. I interned during the summer after high school and I started interning and going to school at the same time and then I finally got hired after working for free for four months to become part of the street team. And once the opportunity came into play to be the live on-air call-in person as part of the Jo Jo on the Radio Show, I auditioned against 15 other girls. I really wanted that position and became Karli from the Block for the show, which is currently what I’m doing right now.

How did you land your own show on MTV Tr3s?

The channel is so awesome! I’ve been a fan from when it started. They were holding auditions to co-host Mi TRL, and they found me on the KIIS-FM website. They decided to go with another girl but they kept my video and a project came to mind to base a show out of Los Angeles. They weren’t sure what it was going to be, but once they auditioned me again, they liked me and they ended up putting me as the host for the show. The show was pretty much created for me in a way.

How would you describe the show’s concept?

The show is based on young Latinas really looking at me, wanting to make their dreams come true the same way that I’m doing, the same way that I have. That’s the purpose for me, personally, of how I want to connect with my audience. I want them to be able to say “Omigod, that’s Karli” if they see me out on the street and I want to be able to talk with them about it and be my girlfriend. I don’t really want it to be a reality show.

The thing about “Karlifornia” is you’re able to connect with me because I’m just being real. I’m just going to my grandmother’s house to have lunch. I’m just hanging out with my sister watching a DVD. In L.A. there’s always an artist or celebrity in town, which adds that extra spice to the show. It’s just a lot of fun. It’s me being me.

Is it a little nuts doing both radio and television?

It is really nuts, but it’s a lot of fun. It honestly isn’t a job; it’s what I want to do, where I want to be at this point in my life. So I’m just happy all around, with my Red Bull right next to me.

Do you feel any pressure representing young Latinas?

I don’t really consider it a pressure; I see it more as an honor to be able to represent Latinas in a positive way. I’m an American, raised Latina, which is how most of us are. We’re raised speaking Spanish at home and speaking English at school. I don’t find it a pressure.

Do you feel that mainstream America has a better understanding of our culture, our lifestyle?

Most definitely, and I think it’s more accepted with the younger generation. I grew up watching “Saved By The Bell” and knew there was Mario Lopez on the show, but they never announced him as a Latino. So, it’s okay to have this bilingual, this bicultural lifestyle. I’m just happy that my little cousins and my younger sister are able to watch MTV Tr3s and see a Juanes video mixed with Fergie and know it’s okay to like them both. Now that the culture is more exposed in the media, everyone is recognizing it, is so nice.

What have you personally learned from your experiences?

You need to be true to yourself. Keep it funky. In the industry there is a lot of negativity, but having a strong family and having that faith has allowed me not to allow it to mess me up in any way.

Any big plans in the works?

Working on “Karlifornia” is a big dream of mine and being able to show younger Latinas that you can make stuff happen. I made my dream happen and that’s really what I’m focusing on right now. Wherever my career takes me I would always love to continue to be a fully forced Latina working in the industry, even behind the scenes producing, talent managing, anything having to do with my culture and still repping the Latinos is something I would love to continue to do.

Check out Karli being Karli on MTV Tr3s!