Coming up in the next few weeks

Ava Garter, Dita Von Teese, and Mamie Van Doren

Alan Mercer with Ginger Lynn

I haven’t posted anything since Gilles because I wanted his interview to be the lead for a while. I am thrilled that four weeks into it, he is champion of Dancing With The Stars. I predict he is going to win!

I have been busy in the mean time. I met the fabulous Dita Von Teese and the equally sensational Ava Garter at a party in the lobby of Chateau Marmont. I also got to spend time with my good friends Mamie Van Doren and Julie Newmar.

I went to a reading of Del Shores ‘The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife’ at the Zephyr Theater which was fantastic. Seeing these actors on stage is a real treat. Do I need to say Beth Grant is already a Stage Legend?

I did a fantastic photo shoot and interview with the sexy ‘girl next door’ Ginger Lynn! I think many of you will be surprised to learn more about this impressive woman.

One of my favorites of all time is Freda Payne. Her 1966 album How Do You Say I Don't Love You Anymore was just released on CD and it is so incredible. Freda talked a little about this with me while we took photos in her garden.

All this and more will be posted over the next few weeks.

Gilles Marini Interview

Gilles Marini burst into the main stream consciousness with his portrayal of Dante in the “Sex and the City” movie last year. This year he follows that auspicious debut with an even larger audience as he begins his run on the hit ABC Television show “Dancing With The Stars”.

I had a chance to talk to Gilles about his experience so far. He showed me a few dance moves and since I ‘happen’ to have my camera with me…. I captured the moments. Gilles is one of the coolest people I have ever met. He is a natural athlete, a charming actor, and a devoted husband and father. The former baker from the south of France, with the dashing good looks, is about to become a household name.

AM: How did you get on Dancing with the Stars?

GM: I got a phone call from my manager telling me the DWTS people just called. I want you to consider it. I said I will get back to you. I called a friend and talked and after seeing my little two year old daughter always wearing a pink tutu, I decided it would be the thing to do, also for her to be able to say, later on in life, that my daddy did that show. She can have the DVD and see for herself.

AM: So you are doing it for your daughter?

GM: I also think it is great for me to do it and a great opportunity for the American people to know me better because it comes down to twenty million people a week watching it! Beautiful! So I said yes and all of a sudden I was in a meeting. A month and a half later they offered me the opportunity so I went and signed the papers and the next thing you know I am rehearsing with Cheryl Burke.

AM: Can you believe that?!? Did they tell you your partner would be Cheryl?

GM: They told me it would be a surprise because they want to catch it on camera. They tape everything. Then one day they said you are going to meet your partner and I got in the room and I saw Cheryl and they said this is your partner. I got so excited because she was the one I wanted to dance with and later that day we were already rehearsing. I realized it was much harder than I thought. I saw Jerry Springer do it and he does pretty well. If he does it, I should do it. Then I had a reality check!

AM: It looks REALLY hard to me!

GM: It is hard. Hopefully I will pull through it. I’ve already hurt my knees and had a couple of injuries, but I have to work through it by show time.

AM: When do you dance on TV for the first time?

GM: Monday night March 9, 2009.

AM: This is so exciting!

GM: Yeah for you….AWESOME. I’m the one inside going, ‘Oh if I let her drop…oh my God! I think I will be very excited after the show. To say OK it’s done. I think the first show must be the hardest. I thought about, please do not vomit or do not faint and everything should be good. Don’t forget your steps, go with the flow and it’s all good. So we’ll see what happens with it.

AM: Does being an athlete help?

GM: No. I thought it would help, but it really does not in the sense that you have to learn a new skill. Maybe you are not an athlete but you can REMEMBER choreography in a second. So you may be better off that way.

AM: You do consider yourself an athlete?

GM: I am an athlete I think. I have three titles in three different places. Where does my athleticism help me there? No where. I am using muscles I have never used before. It’s like I’ve never done anything athletic before.

AM: How are you getting through it?

GM: Dancing is very difficult, but somehow after you have started doing it and you have nailed the choreography, you go, this is awesome. It’s an adrenaline shot, like surfing the wave, I want to go three times a week and learn new things. It’s really nice.

AM: Will you continue dancing when this is over?

GM: I would love too. Seriously I would love too. Maybe I will teach my wife a couple of steps. She doesn’t dance but……..she can really move.

AM: Are you ready to be this famous?

GM: It never really strikes me as oh my God being famous would be so different. I’m not eighteen anymore, I am a thirty three year old man who has children and a wife and a lot of responsibilities. Being famous is just a part of the job.

AM: How do you feel about your fans?

GM: The people who want a signed picture or want a two minute conversation and a photo with me might take some time away from a personal life but that is also the name of the game. Without those people you are absolutely nothing.

AM: So how will you handle it?

GM: You have to hang in there and enjoy every step of the way. If you find you don’t like the job then move away, go back to your old life. I could go back to being a baker. I don’t know what to say. Being famous is just part of the business. Hopefully I will be famous enough for the people to say we love all he does.

Learn more about Gilles at his official website http://www.gillesmarini.com/

Gilles Marini New Photos by Alan Mercer

photos: Alan Mercer

Karina Nuvo NUVOSOUL

I met Karina Nuvo about five years ago and ended up shooting her CD cover. When she was ready to record again she called me up and said it’s time to recreate our magic again. She is a talented vocalist and a beauty so it was exciting to work with her again. If you take the time to listen to her sounds you will not be disappointed. She is a fantastic singer and a lovely person.

AM: Hi Karina. How do you describe Nuvosoul?

KN: NuvoSoul to me is a true expression of who I am as an artist. I am always asked to pick a door…latin? pop? soul? Jazz? , well I am all of those combined and I would not be able to produce an honest CD if I did not show all the sides that make me musically who I am . ITS NUVOSOUL.

AM: How are you promoting the CD ?

KN: I am singing, singing, singing. Booking myself in different events and music festivals around the US, but my goal is to get a co-distribution deal so I can reach the world. WOW too much huh?

AM: Is the music available to download?

KN: My Cd is available all over the internet starting with my website http://www.karinanuvo.com/ . From there you can link to I-tunes, rhapsody. amazon and cd baby. If you google my name , you get a plethora of information too.

AM: Are you playing anywhere?

KN: My next show is an awesome festival called CARNAVAL MIAMI, a 2 day event filled with tons of music food and dance!! Its my hometown so anytime I am invited back I am honored. After that I am working on putting together my CD release party here in Los Angeles, probably at SPAGATINIS JAZZ CLUB.

AM: What is the music business like in 2009?

KN: Like no other… ha, no really it has changed so very much that it actually gives you hope that YOU as an artist have much more control of how you want to be seen and heard. The internet is an AMAZING Blessing that if worked properly the sky is the limit.

AM: Future goals?

KN: My future goal is, first to be happy in my life , sounds cliche' but I truly search for what makes me joyful and, next to my son, music does that for me, so if allowed, I would like to continue this journey I have started and create - sing and share the music I LOVE TO DO so much.

photos: Alan Mercer