Stacey: Urbancougar of the Month, April 2009

We’re proud to introduce the beautiful Stacey Anderson, our Urbancougar of the Month for April 2009, and star of TV Land’s reality dating show “The Cougar,” premiering Wednesday, April 15th at 10PM/9 Central.

To learn more about "The Cougar," visit TV Land. Follow Stacey on Twitter.

Stacey Anderson

TV Land’s “The Cougar” | Urbancougar of the Month, April 2009


Hometown: Scottsdale/Park City

“I would like to redefine how America views the stereotypical “cougar” and… make a connection with women to show them that life doesn’t stop at 40!  Embracing your age and living life out loud is a beautiful thing!”
-Stacey

Okay, hold on a minute while we run through our checklist.

Smart, career-minded woman? Check.

Absolutely gorgeous? Yup.

Lives in Scottsdale? Uh huh.

Successful real estate agent? You betcha.

Star of her own reality show where 20 young studs fight over her?

Holy cow! TV Land really did track down THE COUGAR. If anyone’s going to “redefine how America views the stereotypical ‘cougar,’” Stacey’s the one to do it.

We’re just amazed by this radiant 40 year-old mother of four. That’s right, she’s got four kids. And one of them is 23! We know it’s true and still don’t believe it. And not only is she a devoted mother, she’s also a highly successful commercial real estate agent specializing in land and hotel acquisitions who regularly commutes between Scottsdale and Park City. You’d think that it’d be enough to keep her busy, but Stacey’s a bona fide super-cougar who also makes time to enjoy “hiking, tennis, water sports and anything with snow!” Oh, yea, and she does land acquisitions for Habitat for Humanity in her “spare time.”

We know. She’s perfect. And now the rest of the world is going to find out just how ideal a cougar she is. In the new reality dating series, “The Cougar” on TV Land, twenty young men compete to win her affection. Of the experience, she tells us, “It has been truly amazing.  If I had to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.”

So will one of these young cubs steal her cougar heart? She wouldn’t tell! I guess, like us, you’ll just have to tune in to find out.

Now on to our exclusive interview with Stacey!



How did you come to be "The Cougar"?
I walked into a restaurant in Scottsdale and two casting agents were having dinner and drinks.  They must have been talking about why they were in town, because someone overheard them, pointed me out and said, “That woman over there is 40 and has 4 kids!”  The casting agents approached me and we talked about how I prefer dating younger men and encouraged me to audition.  I still don’t know who pointed me out in the crowd, but whoever you are, thank you! 


What made you want to be on the show?
During my audition, I said I would like to redefine how America views the stereotypical “cougar” and feel confident I will accomplish my goal.  I also wanted to make a connection with women and to show them that life doesn’t stop at 40!  Embracing your age and living life out loud is a beautiful thing!



How's the experience been so far?

This experience has been truly amazing.  If I had to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.  I’ve had incredible moments of bonding, laughter, and tears with all the guys on the show.  I’m a better person by being taken out of my comfort zone and element and sharing a house with 20 men. During the experience, it was a constant self-evaluation process -- asking myself who I am and what I want out of a partner and life.

What do you hope to get out of being on the show?
I hope to raise the bar of how people view cougars.  It’s time to turn the tables on our older male counterparts who have dated younger women without a stigma attached.  A relationship with a younger man is not just about both of us being in our sexual prime.  Energy, drive and a zest for life coupled with sexual compatibility and chemistry is what makes the cougar/cub dynamic work.  



What do you think it means to be a cougar today?

A cougar today is smart, sassy, driven and successful.  She knows exactly what she wants and is straight-forward but not overbearing.  She reeks of confidence and has a style and charisma that emulates class and success.  Her beauty shines from the inside out.  She is a classic timepiece. She’s magnetic in her presence and captures the hearts of young men by her “no B.S.” attitude. 



What do you think is the biggest stereotype associated with older women who prefer younger men?
The biggest stereotype is that a cougar is seen as aggressive sexually, with nothing more to offer. This is a pseudo-cougar, and they are out there, giving true cougars a bad rap. 



Do you notice these perceptions changing?
Yes. I believe society is at a pivotal point in changing their perspectives on cougars and who we truly are. 



When did you realize you were interested in younger men?
Right after my divorce, I met a man who I found out was ten years younger than me on our third date.  The fact that we both didn’t notice the age gap on our first two dates made us realize it was a non-issue.  We dated for almost a year.



What is it about a younger man you find attractive?

I love their energy, spark for life and adventurous ways.  Older men are more complacent, and for me, well…boring!  (Yawn!)  Younger men compliment my lifestyle and do away with competitive and possessive ways.  They bring out the best in me!



How does it feel to have all these young studs on the show fighting for your affection?
It feels like I died in a plane crash off the Bermuda Triangle and went to Heaven! 



Has your experience given you any new perspective on what draws a younger man to an older woman? Or why you find younger men so appealing?
This experience has only validated what I, personally, have found to be true all along.  The cougar/cub relationship is modern day dating and has the essential elements to keep a relationship fun, passionate and alive.




Any advice for your fellow cougars out there?
Whoa easy on the botox!  And please dress age appropriate.  Class is displayed in simple, elegant ways.  If you’ve got what it takes, you don’t need to try hard.  Define what you want in a partner.  We have life experiences that are appealing to a younger man…share them.



Photos courtesy of TV Land