Archive for December, 2009
Fan review: “The Sing-Off”
Gladys kindly sent through her fan experience from December of “The Sing-Off” a TV show were Nicole was one of the judges, check it out below:
After hearing that Nicole was going to be a judge on Nick Lachey’s new acapella singing competition, my friend and I got tickets to go to the taping of the third episode of “The Sing-Off.” Check-in didn’t start until 5pm, but being super excited about the show we got to the studios at 3pm and just waited around. I’m not going to name any names for privacy issues, but someone from Nicole’s team contacted me and asked where we were going to be sitting during the show so Nicole could find me (I’ve met Nicole before so she is familiar with me and knows who I am). We were super lucky and were given seats right next to the judges, pretty much front row. After more waiting, the judges were introduced. Nicole came out and stopped right in front of where we were sitting and waved at the crowd, I was cheering for her and waved at her and she saw me and waved. As she was going to her seat, she looked at me again and waved some more. We were seated literally 5 feet away from Nicole during the whole taping which took about 5 hours. During the show, Nicole was super adorable and kept trying to interact with us in between filming. She asked how I was and said that I looked beautiful! Once in a while, she would look back at us and wink or smile and make cute faces. She even gave my friend and I hugs during one the breaks when she came back from backstage. So sweet! I asked her if we could talk after the show and she said, “Yes.” She was busy most of the time doing her judging duties, but never failed to have fun in between breaks – dancing with the music, laughing, and just being the goofy Nicole we all know. It was such a great experience being able to just be in her presence for such a long time and just see her do her work and share her expertise with the competing groups who are SO amazingly talented. I also got to talk to Jeff, Nicole’s manager, during one of the breaks and he told me that Nicole would come get us after the show. As the show wrapped up, it was nearly 11:30pm, security was escorting people out and they even tried to make us leave, but I told them we were waiting for Nicole. Nicole got up from her seat and was talking to a few people, but kept looking back at us to make sure we wouldn’t leave. Jeff even called her attention to us. Nicole walked over and told us to follow her. Some fans began mobbing her and were told to leave by security. We were again told to leave the studio, but Jeff made sure to tell them that my friend and I were with Nicole and could stay. Nicole walked us through the backstage area and we got to chat about how I was doing, how school was going, and other random things. I was honestly expecting to just be taken backstage to spend a few minutes with her, but we just kept walking. Nicole then took us outside and I was totally lost about what we were doing, but she was actually taking us to her trailer! She invited us in and so we each took a seat. It was SO surreal! Nicole went about doing her business, cleaning up her stuff, and said bye to Jeff and a few other people in her team who were calling it a night. We then just began talking. She asked us what we were doing for the holidays and we also talked about a bunch of random things like make-up, the last time we met, chocolate, USC, Twitter, her music, boys, and so much more. For all those wondering, she said she was in the studio making new music, but she really doesn’t know what she is doing next year. She doesn’t know if she is going solo or if she is still with the Dolls. It was such a laidback environment and we just hung out like we’ve known each other for years. Nicole then made sure that we got pictures so we took some pictures. My friend’s dream was to sing with Nicole so she asked her and Nicole being the amazing person that she is made it happen and even asked to get it filmed. I then gave her the different gifts and letters I had for her and she insisted in making a shout-out video for the fans. I then asked her to sign a picture of us the last time I met her and she told me a little story about that day. More hugs were given and it was time to go because her car was waiting outside. Overall, we probably spent a good 20-30 minutes in her trailer which is WAY more that I could ever imagine. We said our goodbyes, Nicole gave us more hugs, and blew us a kiss. Perfect way to end a long night of filming and everything was SO worth it. It was a night of laughter, silliness, and great conversation. I have give to HUGE thanks to Nicole and her team for hooking it up and making my friend and I’s dreams come true once again. 
I have to say, Nicole Scherzinger is the sweetest and most kind-hearted person I have ever met. She really cares for her fans. Don’t pay attention to what the haters say, they don’t know her, they’ve never met her or interacted with her, they hate because they are jealous. Unless you know her or have met her, don’t judge. Having spent all that time with Nicole, I was once again convinced why I’m such a huge fan and supporter of her. She continues to be my role model and inspiration and always will be.
Here are my pictures with her [Click to enlarge]:
And here are the videos we took:
Sky1’s Got to Dance: London auditions
With Kimberly cast as a judge (alongside Adam Garcia and Ashley Banjo) on SKY1’s new dance show GOT TO DANCE, auditions were in full swing from October starting off in Scotland and then Manchester.
Pictured: Stage where dancers perform
London was the last place auditions were held last month and there 8 recordings altogether. It was great to see Kim being able to offer constructive criticism to auditonees of various ages and different dance backgrounds spanning from Hip Hop dance crews to belly dancers. It’s fair to say that she is the strictest judge on the panel and it came as no surprise that her standards were high. Kim gave advice about improving dancing technique, putting more energy into dance steps and in some cases for duos/ dance crews synchronising better as a group. The level of competition made it a challenge for auditionees to get through, but dancers who have made it so far will make it an enjoyable live final which take place in January and February. Got To Dance starts on SKY1 – Sunday 3 January at 6pm!
Pictured: The Judges panel
Kimberly Wyatt Dance Class: Day 2 (Urdang Academy, London)
I was one of the first to arrive for Kim’s class, I thought that we’d be taking class in the same room as the day before, but we were led upstairs into a hall by one of the people who run the academy. Within half an hour more people arrived and soon started practising leg lifts, splits and stretches – it was official, I was in the midst of professional dancers. You could see the determination and passion as they walked into the hall it was almost as if some had turned up to an audition – dance was their life.
Before I knew it, Kim was at the front of the room with a mic in her hand ready to get started. Like the day before, she gave us an insight to how she became a dancer and how she became a Pussycat Doll.
Four men who I later discovered were from the cast of La Cage Aux Folles walked in strutting heels, I was amazed. We did warm ups and have to say my muscles were still aching a bit from the Monday warm-up, Kim’s warm up for this class were a bit more intense, at one point we were required to do the splits….I can’t do the splits. LOL! Nevertheless, I tried my best to exercise whatever flexibility I could manage.
After warm-ups, we did walking and dancing combination exercises some of which were the same as the other class and other exercises were different. If Kim had spotted anyone who executed the dance really well, she’d ask them to demonstrate it in front of the class, on one occasion Kim asked a girl aged about 11 yrs to demonstrate her walk as she strutted across the room in confidence – I couldn’t do that when I was her age (she wasn’t in heels though of course)! Not only was Kim able to teach really well, she really cared! When she saw that one girl could have done one of the walking exercises better, she got them do to it again with her so they felt confident about doing the moves. Kim mentioned that the heel for her shoes she has when dancing are specially made so that she is able to her leg lift without wobbling all over the place.
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Photo credit: Mark Summers
It wasn’t longer before Kim asked us to gather to the floor for “combination” it was time for the main dance routine. The main dance routine was also to “Electric Feel” like the day before and thankfully the routine was the same as yesterday, but with more steps added onto the choreography, it was so impressive to see how the pros were able to pick up moves quickly. After Kim had taken us through the moves several times, the males were asked to demonstrate the routine, then under-16’s, then the girls. After that Kim did the routine with the guys from La Cage Aux Folles (see video below), it was so great to watch and felt privileged to see Kim teach her craft.
Thanks dazaar1234
When it came to the Q&A with Kim I wanted to try and ask a question. Once again Kim was asked to demonstrate her leg lift (I wonder how many leg lifts she done!?), when asked about what her true passion is it was dancing, when asked about singing she said that it’s something she’s getting better at and was then asked to sing and hold a note During the Q&A, I asked Kim which group/artist she would like choreograph for and said she wouldn’t want to work with a ‘Diva’ and said she’d love to choreograph for Ciara.
Mark Summers said that a selection of Beautiful Movements merch will soon be available at Macy’s in New York.
After the workshop was over people waited to get a photo with Kim and when it came to my turn, to my surprise Kim had said: “I saw you working it.” I asked Kim when the merch will be available online and hopefully it will be this month.
Ashley was due to come to the last session to watch Kim teach, I planned to buy one of the heat sensitive T-shirts (which changes colour) but went out for a break. After about 45 mins I came back to the Academy and purchased the t-shirt.
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Pictured: BM T-shirt which changes colour when heat is absorbed
I could hear the music playing and went to watch Kim taking the last dance class from outside. The class performed the routine to “Electric Feel” so well, everyone’s movement’s were in-synch to the beat, just as Kim had taught them. By this time Ashley was in the room watching the class. During their Q&A Ashley also spoke on some occasions and at one point said how proud she was of Kim 
Pictured: Ashley signing autographs
When it was time for Kim to take pics with her class, Ashley was taking pics also with some of the dancers. I went inside to say Hi to Ashley and after she had finished taking pics and signing autographs, I sat and chatted with her for a bit – after Ashley was ready to go I left to go home. It was a great two days and an amazing experience!
Going to Kim’s dance workshop was not only an opportunity to see Kim work her magic in a dance class, it was a chance to see a little bit, of what it’s like in a ‘dancer’s world’, I have an even higher respect for dancers, they have to train all the time to be the best.
Kimberly did an amazing job, she taught the class really well and I love her routine for Electric Feel – she is really so sweet, kind and talented – I hope she comes back for more dance classes, Kimberly Kaye Wyatt – an inspiration!!!!
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Kimberly Wyatt Dance Class: Day 1 (Urdang Academy, London)
Photo credit: Mark Summers
On Sunday 26 July, I was booked to take a beginners class in the afternoon with Kimberly Wyatt at Urdang Academy! This would be the first dance class I’d ever take so I was both excited and nervous – I didn’t know what to expect but I wasn’t alone as I soon realised there were Pussycat Dolls fans taking the class also. I wanted to make sure I presented myself as a ‘dancer’ so wore a lose-fitted t-shirt, leggings and of course my heels. When we entered the Academy, we waited near changing room area where Mark Summers introduced himself and explained the schedule for the session: after the dance class with Kim, they would be a Q&A and we could purchase Beautiful Movements merchandise and take pictures/autographs with her afterwards. When it was time to register our names, we walked into a room were all the Beautiful Movements merchandise were being sold, I was particularly keen to get my hands on a grey long-sleeve top (which is also available in green), but there was much to choose from.
Once registered, we were guided into the dance room where we going to be taught class, the first thing I noticed in the white room was the large mirror, we could see ourselves at every angle. When I put down my bag at in the corner I look up and see Kimberly across the room looking through a list of music on a laptop, then it really hit me, Kimberly Wyatt was going to teach us dance steps, I was excited! Her white knee-high Dr. Martin boots caught my attention and noticed she was the wearing the grey top I was hoping to purchase later on. As people were still getting registered in the other room, Kimberly announced that we should come closer and talk so we gathered in a circle and listened while Kim began to tell her story of how she began her journey as a dancer. To summarise some of the things she said: she starting dancing at the age of 7, when she left her home town in Missouri she worked on cruise ships and often got sea sick. When she moved to LA she didn’t know anyone there, to support herself she had a job in telesales, she auditioned for Nick Lachey which who at the time was filming ‘Newlyweds’, Robin Antin noticed Kim from the back of the audition room and invited her to be a Pussycat Doll at the time there were approx 16 girls and there had been talk that they were to be a recording group so as they kept cutting down members record label representatives were invited to see them perform and of course they became: Nicole, Carmit, Jessica, Melody, Kim and Ashley. Kimberly talked about how Carmit had left the group to pursue her own projects and that all of them have many aspirations outside of the Dolls. By the time Kim had finished speaking the room was now full, just before we started warm-up fans hurried over to present her gifts such as scrapbooks and cuddly toys.
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Pictured: Kimberly and class during warm-up
Photo credit: Mark Summers
We stood up to begin a warm-up which lasted about 20 minutes, which consisted of stretches and hip exercises, keeping our legs straight and touching our floor. Afterwards, it was time to practice walking in heels, Kim’s objective was to get people to walk more confidently in them. Truth be told, my heels were only an inch or so high so I was safe! We did different dance steps, one dance exercise was to walk from one side of the room to the other while doing arm movements to the beat of “Shut up and let me go” by the Ting Tings.
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Pictured: Kimberly taking class through dance and walking exercises
Photo credit: Mark Summers
After we had finished our walking exercises, Kim taught us the main dance routine to a piece she choreographed to “Electric Feel” by MGMT. I found myself able to execute the moves, but sometimes found myself hesitating to remember the next the steps. Kim proved to be a fantastic teacher, she took it step-by-step and would go back over steps to make sure we knew how do it, I was watching Kimberly Wyatt in action, what an amazing dancer. Once we finished dancing, Kim praised us and said we did a good job, Mark Summers was equally impressed with how the class went.
The final exercise was very relaxing almost therapeutic, Kim asked us to lie on the floor with our eyes closed, she began walking around the room while she urged us to follow our dreams, that we were capable of anything – she wanted us to leave her class feeling positive.
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Pictured: Kimberly during Q&A
Photo credit: Mark Summers
Now, it was time for Q&A with Kimberly! Everyone gathered around on the floor and as we began asking questions. Kim was asked about the pressures to look good in the industry and she said her diet was essential, eating organic foods, eating main meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner (having dinner by 7pm) and avoiding processed foods. When asked what her favourite PCD song to perform on tour she said When I Grow even though it’s towards the end when she’s tired. One person had asked to see Kim’s trademark move – the leg lift, everyone applauded as she demonstrated her flexibility! Mark Summers was recording the Q&A sessions so hopefully we’ll get to see it in full.
After the Q&A Mark showed us some Beautiful Movements merchandise that was on sale, he praised the material used for the grey top Kim was wearing as its ideal for dancers. He was also impressed with the two t-shirts that changed colour when your body heats up. As we left the room to buy merchandise and take pics with Kim, I knew that I had to get my hands on the grey top which makes the bold statement: “Express Yourself”. For Kim’s mechandise check out the BEAUTIFUL MOVEMENTS STORE!
When Kim was signing autograpghs, I told her that I’d be in the intermediate/advanced session the next day, I believed that I’d definitely need to step it up!