Soprano Soars to New Heights with Circus

http://www.univision.com/content/video.jhtml?cid=1317242&channelName=Videos&_requestid=100611

Last week was such a difficult week for many here in San Diego and other parts of Southern CA due to the fires. I have been feeling sad for so many and definitely not up to writing on my blog.

That said- it's time to bring back a little bit of joy into our lives. Yesterday I received this from the mother of a young Latina actress, Denisse Gonzalez, whom I toured part of the country for a few months back in 2000 in the National Tour of the musical, "Selena Forever". Denisse played young Selena and already had an amazing voice for her age. She is now singing with Cirque De Soleil - what an honor!! - and performing around the world. Her mother sent this video clip of her interview recently on Univision. I imagine Denisse must be about 18 now and is as stunning as her voice - but I will always remember her as the young Selena, playing with dolls, singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and making us laugh with her vocal impersonations of Cher and Celine Dion.

Best Wishes and Congratulations

Elsa's Foray into Reality TV- Part 1: "PopStars"

Long, long ago, before there was American Idol, Country Idol, Dances with Stars, So u Think u can Dance and all those numerous song and dance reality shows - there was PopStars . We are talking circa 1999, if I remember correctly.

This show had auditions in LA and NYC for an all-girl group of 5 that would get a recording contract. I, being a singer/model/actress, of course went to the LA auditions. It was exciting. This was the first reality talent show of it's kind - there was no American Idol yet! I made it to the 2nd callbacks before being told I was too old and too tall (I think I was about 28 at the time). I was pretty bummed, but excited that when the TV show aired a couple months later, I got featured 3x on the first episode!! In other words: I may not have been what they were looking for - but my Basque nose and big Mexican hips were deemed camera worthy amongst thousands of auditioners. Gay snap to that!!!


Sure enough, though, I remember Nicole Herzinger (now Nicole Kea) was there and she was eventually selected to be in the group. Not unlike the Pussycat Dolls (which she now sings in): she was featured (not intentionally; she was, simply, the best of the 5) prominently as the lead singer in what was supposed to be an ensemble group. (Can we say Beyonce??) And yes, some of the girls in the group experienced green envy as no doubt the less-pretty, talent-less backup dancers (they don’t even sing really) Dolls feel now.


All I can say is GO, Nicole! Work it out! I gotta find that first episode tape with me on it and you know when I do, I'll put it on youtube and on here!

It's Just NOT Fair!!!

No, my dears, I am NOT gagging in this not-so-stunning photo of yours truly, but rather I am rocking out singing to some 80s music (what you don't see in the picture is the big margarita I am also drinking and holding- he he he). Anyhow: that brings me to my subject:

Tomorrow San Diego is hosting the kick off to the next American Idol auditions. And guess what? I am TOO damn old to audition!! Cheeeeennnngadoooooohhhhh (spanish cuss word for you monolinguals out there).

That just plain stinks! People tell me all the time I look years younger than my real age (sound effect of needle scratching off the record) - of....35!!! And as long as I keep an eye out for my rapidly graying stray hairs, it might (come on, could it really???) be true!! HAHAHA!!!

Well, to those of you who don't know me: one of the many hats I wear is that of a professional singer, with a music degree, years of experience singing, competing and performing in many different facets. I also am known to clean up well and be camera-friendly (must be my modeling and acting experience he he he) so I just KNOW that I would make at LEAST some TV time - even if it's to make a fool of me with Simon Cowell guessing my real age and then wagging his finger at me accusing that wasn't I shown on TV getting cut from the precursor to American Idol - the TV show, "Pop Stars", that auditioned and then made the all-girl band (including Pussycat Dolls' sexy lead singer Nicole), "Eden's Crush"???


Alas, it's true.... and if you want to read up on it more, you shall have to wait as I don't feel like typing the story all out again....

I am SO disappointed not to be there with the thousands (including my tone-deaf teenage next-door neighbor who has been wailing, er, practicing for days) that are currently sleeping and camping out at Qualcomm Stadium for their chance at Glory or utter Humiliation...

The Introduction

After posting my spiffy Frappr map and seeing that there are actually strangers (how flattering!) reading my blog I decided to give a little introduction for those who don't know me already.
I am a 34-year-old (gasp!! I can clean up well heh heh heh) native San Diegan born of Hispanic origen (mostly Mexican and some Basque). I am blessed to be part of not only a big immediate family but also a huge extended family where I've learned throughout the years that God and family are more important than any job or money. I am the youngest of 6 (but not a Daddy's girl or "la consentida" - we thankfully are treated equally in my family which is great since I've yet to meet a daddy's princess whose being spoiled has done an ounce of good for her or those around her as she grows up). As you can tell I have a lot to say. I am smart, independent, nurturing, reponsible, stubborn, proud, silly, witty, young, adventurous, outdoorsy, disciplined, imaginative, a light sleeper, pensive, observing, passionate, troubled and creative. I hate to accept help and would rather risk harm or pain than give up. I am mentally and emotionally a late bloomer in life due to an extremely sheltered and protected (at times, lovely and at others: stifling) childhood and teenage years.
Music is a God-given talent of mine. My siblings and I all inherited our music gene from our naturally-gifted singing mother. But I was the only one passionate and unconventional enough to pursue it professionally (more on that some other time). Since childhood I excelled in piano and singing and am deeply moved by lyrics, composers and intruments. Another love? Horses. Specifically the Arabian breed. My sister and I grew up sharing one and although I no longer ride or compete - I will forever be in awe of a horse's beauty and grace.
I have never been married and can't wait to write a blog on the subject, but I have been seeing since May 2006, an Irishman with merry eyes with whom I am emphatically and realistically in love with...
I hate to be asked what I do but since graduating college at UC Irvine back in 1994 I have been professionally working as an actress (stage and screen), a model and a singer. I will definitely write a blog on those experiences in time. Alas, as I am getting older I am losing the necessary drive for that insane and unhealthy livelihood and find myself actually contemplating a somewhat conventional life. (This is shocking for those who know me since I have NEVER wanted or pursued normality). I also have been teaching teens the past 6 years as a job to fall back on. Someday I will write an eye-opening blog about the CA public school system and the teens of today in Southern Cal.
A true "people person", I possess the genuine talent to be able to walk alone into a room or party, not knowing a soul, and being able to talk amicably to ANYONE. I think it's because I want people to know they can feel at ease and comfortable around me (even if they are shy or do not know me). One of my greatest pleasure in life is meeting foreigners from other countries. I am poor as heck but somehow have managed to travel to Europe, Mexico and South America. I admire those who speak more than 1 language and am proud of the self-taught spanish (my parents didn't teach us) and italian that I speak. Other favorite people to be around would be gay people or dancers. (Gays probably because I somehow relate to their not fitting the "normal" mold of society and dancers because I admire that profession so much and truly regret not contiuing ballet). I love hosting get-togethers and being a social butterfly at artistic events and parties around town (even though I rarely do any of the above anymore.) Nonetheless, I value and yearn for my privacy as well. I currently live alone with my cat and piano and have been known to become broodingly dark the last 6 years due to some of Life's experiences. It is those moments that I am most creative with writing or singing at the piano. But they are those moments that I truly suffer the most...