Since leaving the BIG BROTHER 5 house, Karen O'Neil-Ganci has been keeping quite busy. She was glad to be back home and able to spend time with her family, especially her beloved 89-year-old grandfather. Now that the dust has settled, Karen splits her time between New Jersey/New York and Florida. "Work and studio time has me all over the place," she smiles.

Recently, Karen entered into a production deal for her Music with Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Dan Hetzel, who has recorded Jessica Simpson, Céline Dion, Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey, among others. "I am currently recording songs to be selected for use on my first album," she explains. "You can log onto karenoneilganci.com to hear some of my music and to find out more."

But it doesn't stop with the music: There are her comedy and art careers. "I have been performing stand-up comedy in clubs up and down the east coast for some time now. I have hosted shows at The Comedy Zone, and I have been a special guest at many others," she reveals. "Somewhere in between, I try to find time to complete the commissioned artwork I receive from kongart.com, my art website. I am currently working on artwork to be used exclusively on products for the home through an art broker in New York City."

Even with this packed schedule, Karen still finds time for fun. Want to know how she does it? Her secret is simple: if you make your living doing what you love, fun takes care of itself. Accordingly, among her playtime activities Karen lists painting, comedy, singing and writing music, along with swimming, bike riding and laughing. "Because of BIG BROTHER 5, I have been given so many wonderful opportunities to pursue new creative avenues," she points out. "For example, the music and the comedy. How cool is that?"

Other BB benefits have been fame and new friends. Occasionally, Karen takes time out to keep in touch with former housemates Nakomis, Will and Marvin. Of course, she's never too busy to stop appreciating her fans: "All the fans that recognize me have been great! I will never understand grumpy celebrities. If you don't want to be recognized in public, stay out of the media."