Katie Couric sits down with amateur bodybuilding Brandi Akers on a recent episode of the talk show that bares her name. Joining Brandi on the couch with Katie is HBO REAL SPORTS host, Bryant Gumbel. They talk about the world of female bodybuilding on and off stage. Katie puts Brandi on the spot with a number of issues and Brandi handles herself well.
Gumbel talks about women being “wolfly underpaid” in the world of female bodybuilding despite the sacrifices they make. Katie then inquires about the world of muscle fetish and asks, “they’re called schmoes?” Katie says, “it’s freaky” when speaking about the world of bodybuilding she never knew existed. She proceeds to be a bit of a “schmo” herself when she asks Brandi to flex and touches her biceps. Katie proceeds hit a bicep pose after Gumbel mentions her sizable guns.
Even though the topics and questions may make some cringe, Brandi handles herself in a very professional manner. She looks and sounds feminine in the interview and does one of the best jobs I’ve seen in an interview. While female bodybuilding may not be for everyone, there is a fan base and Brandi has managed to build a sizable following in it. She’s competed a number of times as an amateur and despite not being a pro bodybuilder has found a way to capitalize on it. You don’t have to agree with her but she’s right when she says she is an entrepreneur.