Rock prodigy, guitar legend, former star of his own reality TV event...Dave Navarro has played many roles. But as the "Rock Mentor" on "Rock Star:INXS" it's as if they've all been rolled into one. In this new gig, Navarro will provide behind-the-scenes insight and personal guidance to help the Rockers during their 13-week journey. He'll also help run the weekly Clinics, where he'll teach elements of the craft he honed as a founding member of alt rock pioneer band Jane's Addiction, as a lead guitarist for The Red Hot Chili Peppers and as a guitarist with everyone from Trent Reznor to Lou Reed. Sitting on the judges' panel each week, Navarro is like the show's tattooed Buddha--spiritual guide, gentle judge, guitar god. We got his ear for a few minutes, and here's what he had to say about his role on the show and why he thinks "Rock Star:INXS" is unique.

Dave Navarro: The reason I chose to do this show--well there's a couple of reasons. First, I'm a die-hard rock fan. I love rock music. I love talent, and I especially love being a part of watching talent grow and blossom. I'm also a fan of Mark Burnett and reality TV shows, and this show combines all the things I love. You've got extroversion, you've got vulnerability, you've got reality, you've got rock, you've got creativity. Plus you've got the story of a great band and a dream to come true.

MSN: The show started with an almost equal number of female and male contestants, and there's already been some controversy surfacing on the message boards about INXS potentially choosing a female singer to front their band. What do you think about female versus male Rockers in this regard?

DN: You know, when it comes to creative integrity and to honing a craft in an art such as rock music, it's about not selling yourself short by forcing decisions based on things like gender. It's about being open to what just works or feels best, to that chemistry. It's about finding the right fit and who works out best for the band.

MSN: But what about die-hard INXS fans who say you can't replace Michael Hutchence with a woman?

DN: Well, then I'd have to wonder how die-hard those fans are if they question the band's motives. This is the band they fell in love with and their lead singer passed away almost a decade ago. Three of these guys are brothers. They've been playing together since they were in high school. So, to the die-hard INXS fans, I'd say they should be supportive of what one of their favorite bands of all time wants to do. You know, I've also got to add that it's not like the band threw Michael out and they're looking for somebody else. I could understand why that would be hard to swallow. But I think the band has allowed a very respectful amount of time to go by before they even thought of doing something like this.

MSN: Dave, you're the show's "Rock Mentor," and you seem to have a special connection to the performers. Can you tell people who may not be familiar with the show what that title actually means?

DN: Hmmm... to be honest it's kind of a strange title to me. But let me put it this way -- I've worked with some incredible front men like Perry Farrell and Anthony Kiedis. I've also played with the likes of Trent Reznor, Rob Zombie, Steven Tyler and Lou Reed, to name a few. So I have a very unique perception of lead singer performers. At the same time I also know what it's like to step into a band that has a history -- the doubts and concerns that come with trying to fit into that. So, on one side of things I'm someone to come to if there are any concerns or fears and I can share my experiences with these guys. On the other side, I'm available to work with them during the Clinic aspects of the show, which will enable them to focus on a particular part of their craft. We know that we can't teach anybody how to actually be a "rock star," and we're not trying to. But we can help them get better at elements of their craft, and I can also just act as a friend who knows something about the situation they're in.

MSN: Talk about how hard it is to be one of 15 people performing on national television at this level?

DN: To be honest with you, I can't imagine how hard it is. The reality is, these kids are forming a bond and a family, a musical community, at the same time they're competing against one another. So that alone has to be conflicting and confusing. On top of that they've got millions of people a night watching them perform on TV, and don't forget they can't watch the show, so they really have no idea how they're doing. Then, if they win, they will have to fit into a band that has a history and whose fans aren't always going to be 100% on board with the band's choice. That's a really scary process man, but it's also exciting as hell. And I would imagine that most of these kids are giving in to the excitement, rather than the fear; otherwise they wouldn't be here.

MSN: Besides the performers, you also seem to have a special bond with INXS.

DN: I've really gotten to know them, and I played with them on the first episode. I think that a special bond happens with musicians when they play music together, and we have really become tight. To be honest with you, I feel like I should be a member of this band.

MSN: One last question, Dave. If you could work with any lead singer, living or dead, who would it be?

DN: Like I said, I've worked with just about all the greats I can think of who are alive, Trent Reznor being one of my favorites. But I would have loved to have played with Robert Plant back in the day, like in the '70s. Yeah, that would have been interesting...