She may be back on with longtime love Nick Lachey, but Vanessa Minnillo had other relationships on her mind in New York on September 26. While supporting the DSW Presents: Step Up & Step Out event to benefit the female empowerment charity Step Up Women’s Network, the former TRL hostess talked about the importance of having women role models in her life. “I didn’t have my real mother growing up. My dad was always there, but there is something about a woman’s touch,” Vanessa, who was raised by her father from a young age when her mother and new husband moved to Turkey, told In Touch. “So I’ve literally drawn from so many women in my life, and I was fortunate enough to be able to have that.” Despite being a happy and healthy adult, the brunette beauty confessed that she stills feels she needs guidance and support from other women. “I’m still like a little girl who cries at night and has a fork in the road and says — does she go left? Does she go right? I need someone’s guidance and yet, I have also helped guide others,” she added. Though she spoke passionately about women's issues, when asked about her surprising recent companion, Nick, Vanessa suddenly turned bashful. “Thank you!” she laughed when congratulated on her on-again relationship. The couple split in June after three years together, but soon picked up where they left off.