Nicole Schwang, the brunette beauty who captured the hearts of millions with her sassy and dramatic persona on "The Hills" and later on "Holly's World", is known for playing the role of a villain. But little do people know that beneath her tough exterior lies a kind-hearted individual who values friendship and family.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Nicole, accompanied by her friend Jessica Hall, to talk about her experience on "Holly's World" and what makes her tick. Our conversation was filled with laughter, inside jokes, and insight into the mind of this talented actress.

When I asked Nicole if she ever felt guilty for being the bad girl on TV, she responded with a matter-of-fact tone, "No! I don't care. It's a job. You go to work. It is what it is. It entertains people... Somebody has to do it. Somebody has to be the bad girl or else a show is boring."

Jessica Hall, her friend and co-star on "Holly's World", backed up Nicole's statement by revealing that despite her tough exterior, she's actually a homebody who loves to cook, clean, and take care of her friends and family.

As we delved deeper into our conversation, it became clear that Nicole is not just a one-dimensional character. She has genuine friendships with some of the cast members on "Holly's World", including Holly Madison and Laura Croft. In fact, she has known Holly for six years, and they have been friends since becoming Playmates in the same era.

But what about her relationship with Angel Porrino? Nicole hinted that they just don't mesh, and when she came to Vegas with a group of "loud, crazy" girls, others seemed intimidated. She even joked that when TV producers put them in the same room together, drama would ensue - and boy was she right!

When I asked if she's going to be back for season three of "Holly's World", Nicole replied, "We'll see... It's hard to be in Vegas for that long of a period of time, dealing with all the drama."

Despite the ups and downs of reality TV, Nicole is grateful for the opportunities it has brought her. She's even working on writing a diet cookbook while pursuing a personal training license. "I have some dishes that are actually negative calories," she revealed, making me wonder if I could get my hands on one of those recipes.

As our interview came to a close, Jessica chimed in with a playful jab at Nicole's expense: "When she goes home, she's home and kind of boring!" We all laughed together, and it was clear that despite her tough exterior, Nicole is just like everyone else - a regular person who values friendship, family, and a good time.

Doug Elfman's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Contact him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.

Note: The image provided by Getty Images is of Angel Porrino's "Holly's World" season 2 viewing party, held on January 23, 2011.