Hawaiian Vacation

Ahhh Hawaii, how I miss your clean air, and stress free environment :)
I recently took a vacation with my dear friend Jenn to celebrate her graduation from college (congratulations Jenn!!!) and my new job :)
Since I'll be gone for the rest of the year, I also thought it would be nice to spend some extra time with her before I go. (We're kinda married... lol)
We had such a good time, it was beautiful and I met some really cool people. We hiked to a waterfall and got eaten alive by mosquitoes. We went to an authentic Luau and I ate my weight in Mac Salad.. mmmmm Mac Salad. It's so amazing.
We beached it almost everyday and I've never been so relaxed in my life. I swam in the ocean and got ALL my hair wet, yes black ladies, you heard me. I'm not saying it was pretty, I'm just saying i got it wet :)
I saw a rainbow.. And I did some really deep thinking, ask Jenn. lol

I'm home again and finally over my Australian jet lag..Phew! whatta pain that was..
Today was our first rehearsal back and everyone sounded great! I'm happy to say that the MadHouse is starting to feel like home. I truly appreciate how loving and supportive they are, good folks..xo..

Anyway, gearing up for the ACM Award show this Sunday in Vegas. Watch for Rih singing California King Bed with Sugarland, it's gonna be dope!

Finally some Australia pics! I really haven't been able to take as many photos as I had hoped but its all good. In the meantime, I've been able to see most of this incredible country, perform with a superstar every night AND learn how to pack my life into a suitcase every other day in under 20 minutes! AHH Soben would be so proud :)
The shows have been amazing and I feel like they just get better and better. Special thanks to my dear friends Nada and Khan for coming to the show and hanging out after. Also to Elska and Hubby:) who came to the very FIRST show in Brisbane! I love you guys and Im so thankful I was able to see you again! xoxo

Im having a blast here and I cant believe we only have one more show in Australia :(

On another note, I just want to shout out and thank my beautiful friend Jen Kent, for helping me with this blog. Love you. I got your back on JT gurl ;) lol

Steve Perry is in the building...

Can I just say that joining the MadHouse has been incredible!? Seriously, when it comes to male vocalists, my top two all time favorites are Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) and Steve Perry. Turns out that Nuno is friends with this Legend, no big deal. So he invited him to one of our rehearsals last week. I really thought I was gonna freak out when I saw him in person, but thanks to a "pep-talk" from Nuno, I was able to keep it together :) lol
He was lovely and so down to earth, I'm so thankful for the opportunity I had to meet him and hopefully, I'll run into him again! So many wonderful things have been happening to me lately and I feel so blessed! I am truly, overwhelmingly thankful for my life and blessings that seem to be granted daily... These last few months have been a dream come true.

One of my favorite Steve Perry songs is called "You Better Wait" I put it on my Playlist below, have a listen! :)
xoxo

NBA All Star Halftime Show and Rihanna's Bday

Yet another exciting performance with Rihanna this last Sunday! NBA All Star show was awesome, we all had so much fun!!! Especially Nuno.. ;) hahahaha
After the show, we all went to Rhi's Bday party.. ok I've never had so much FUN! there was Jamaican food everywhere, Sprinkles cupcakes, and a full on candy stand! if you know me at all then you know I cared more about the sweets than the all the Super stars surrounding me all night :) However, I did freak out a little bit when I saw Beyonce and Jay walk in.. wow.
The next day we all flew to Australia. I am in Brisbane now and its 6am... tried SOOO hard to stay awake until at least 10pm to beat the jet lag, but my tired ass fell asleep at 730pm and woke up at 430am.. hmmm.
Anyway, here's the video from Sunday in case you missed the show.

Grammy's Baby!!!!

K but seriously, how did I end up performing at the Grammy Awards this year!?!? Im still kind of freaking out a little bit. I remember when I moved to LA five years ago, I wanted to go to the show SOOOOO bad, even if I was just a seat filler or something. lol. And now I can say forever that my first trip to the Grammy's was as a Performer! wow. Such and amazing night and a total DREAM come TRUE. I am so blessed to be part of such an awesome team and work for such a beautiful, talented young lady :) You were great Rhi!!!
I couldn't believe how much love and support I received on this day. Since the show was only live on the East coast, I was able to hear responses from my loved ones there first in the form of texts and FB posts. two hours later, hella Utah folks hit me up (love you guys!!!!) and finally I was able to watch for myself here in LA and I was beyond excited! screaming at the TV from my table at the Cheescake Factory :) lolol It seemed like every person on the Planet who knew me, saw me on TV that night. I just want to thank everyone who took the time to write me a message on Facebook or sent a text or even called. It meant the world to me and I love you all so much. This is just the first of many Performances with sweet Rhi, so stay tuned... NBA All Star Halftime show next week.. ummmm YAY.
xoxoxo

Happiest girl in the world,
Nicole

Lena Katina - All The Things She Said - Live @1015 Folsom, San Francisco...

This is from my most recent show with Lena Katina at Club 1015 Folsom in San Francisco. It was an amazing show and I had such a great time. She seriously has the best fans ever!! One faithful fan even made doll replicas of me and Nadia (Lenas other background singer). Soooo cute! I felt like a superstar :) I hope and pray that one day I'll have awesome fans of my own. Thanks for being such an inspiration Lena, good luck at your Superbowl show! yay!! :)

Welcome! This is me.

If I were to write my story from the beginning, I would need a bigger blog site :) I'll start from a year or so ago and make it as short and sweet as possible.

After living in LA for a few years and pursuing music as a Solo Recording Artist, I finally hit a wall. I realized how difficult the industry really is and decided to make some more options for myself. I took a break from recording material for my album to enroll in Music school. Best idea ever, not only did it open my mind to different opportunities I could have as a Singer in this business, but it also expanded my network of peers and professionals. I enjoyed my time at school but after a year and a half of attending, I decided it was time to try my luck at making my talent work for me for a change. The music business classes I was taking really inspired me to treat myself like a business. I started looking for opportunities to sing and either get compensated or further in my career via connections and/or experience.

I took some time away from school to strictly audition. I made a vow to myself that I would go to any and every audition that had anything to do with singing or performing. I had my share of "please kill me now" moments but overall, this helped me and led me to where I am now. American Idol audition (2009) was an eye-opener and honest turning point for me. After auditioning every year for 4 years, I was determined to make this audition the best, and it was. I made it through all 5 rounds before Hollywood and was able to receive some one on one life changing advice from Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. Don't laugh, but they both told me to take voice lessons :) They said that I was good and they wanted to say yes, but didn't believe my voice was strong enough yet. I was devastated and vowed to quit singing forever. Then I realized, maybe a voice lesson or two wouldn't hurt? I mean, I had made it this far without any training. So I called Linda Tomkinson, a referral form a friend in Utah and began private training over Skype. I've been with her ever since and my voice is stronger than ever, makes me wish I had thought of this from the beginning, but thanks Simon and Randy! xo

Back before I enrolled in music school, I spent 3 months in Europe singing background for Sisqo (former lead singer of Dru Hill and famous for the his hit single 'The Thong Song'). That opportunity came to me as a coincidence and blessing. It was my first time singing for someone else and I enjoyed the experience more than I thought I would. Performing with him was awesome. When I returned back to the states, I made one of my goals to become a professional background singer. I thought it would be a great way to sing, travel, and make money. All the while, working on myself as a Solo Artist.

I truly believe in good energy and things happening for a reason. Less than a year ago, my background singing aspirations have come into place. My auditioning jitters have vanished and I have been able to book work. yay! :)

I am just starting a new chapter in my life, I am beyond excited and happy to share my experiences as I travel, perform and live my dream! Please Join me as I share my life as a Background Singer.

~Nicole

*I am currently singing for Lena Katina formerly of the Russian pop duo t.A.T.u. and have loved becoming a part of the family, love you guys! Thanks for giving me a chance and letting me sing along with the beautiful, talented Lena xo