| Imagine a scene from a movie. Thousands show up for the auditions, only five will be chosen. The grueling process includes several follow-up auditions, a physical fitness evalutaion, and extreme willpower on behalf of all participants. After the final five are chosen, the hard work continues. These unknowns are whipped into industry-standard shape and released for success. The results of the arduous process? Eden's Crush. While the rigorous processes of auditioning are not entirely the same, the women of Eden's Crush underwent a lot to get where they are today...on the threshold of fame, the verge of superstardom. Barely a year old, Eden's Crush has enjoyed a stellar breakthrough into the pop arena. Their debut album Popstars has already risen to mega-status. The ladies spent the early summer touring the nation with the reigning kings of pop, 'N Sync, on the Pop Odyssey Tour, followed by a stint on Jessica Simpson's Dreamchaser Tour with Toya, Youngstown, and Plus One. Looks like Eden's Crush is flowering into something beautiful. When I first heard that I'd be (phone) interviewing Eden's Crush member, Ivette Sosa, the word 'excitement' doesn't fully justify my feelings. Feverishly I thought up questions, planned my words, and bit my nails in expectation. But when the time for the interview arrived, my notes in hand, I just began to talk. Feeling more like I was talking to the girl next door rather than a star in the making. Ivette and I gabbed for half-an-hour about life on the road, homesickness, getting along, and more. Perhaps it was Ivette's adamant insistence about remaining the same person that put me at ease. After all, anyone who can sincerely spout: 'I'm a real person. Come to me...I'll give you a hug. I know what it's like to really want something real. People get caught up [with their fame]. I'm approachable and I want to stay that way, no matter what,' is worth my time. In fact, it was like spending time with a friend. Touring Before falling upon Eden's Crush, Ivette Sosa made her mark on the musical theater world, starring in the La Scala Theater in Italy just months before Eden's Crush was formed. In fact, on the same day that Ivette was invited to join the group, she was also invited to join Rent and perform on Broadway. The decision was a tough one, but Eden's Crush offered a unique opportunity to see the world in a defferent setting. Especially for someone unaccustomed to the rigors of stage performing, touring was an enlightening experience for Ivette. I couldn't help but wonder what touring was like, so I asked... BD: What was touring with 'N Sync's Pop Odyssey like? IS: From the beginning, it was an overwhelming experience. We watched the HBO special beforehand for an idea, but to perform in front of 60,000 people or more each night...it was a blast! BD: After your time with the Pop Odyssey Tour concluded, you joined Jessica Simpson's Dreamchaser Tour. The Dreamchaser Tour, staged in mall parking lots in a traveling stadium, was a considerably smaller venue. How was that different for you? IS: Touring with 'N Sync prepared us. When you're performing in front of 60,000 people your movements have to be really big to get it across. This tour is more intimate though. We can see faces and play off that energy, which is so fun. BD: Do your stage performances get easier with time, or do you still get butterflies? IS: Performances are a chance to have a good time and forget about everything. There is so much business to do [elsewhere], that the stage is just a release. Favorites: Despite her suddenly public life, Ivette insists that she's the same 'goofy' girl at heart. So what makes this woman tick? Ivette filled in the blanks about her favorites. BD: Which song is your favorite on the album Popstars? IS: I like each song for different reasons, but maybe the remix of 'Glamorous Life' or 'Love This Way' or 'Mil Palabras (One Thousand Words)' because three of us are Spanish. BD: If we could look in your CD player right now, which disc would we find? IS: The Best of U2, Alicia Keys, India.Arie, The Best of Pat Benatar, Etta James, and Moby. BD: Do you have a fovorite book? IS: I like biographies and autobiographies, like Natalie Wood's autobiography. But I also like The Catcher in the Rye, Philistine Prophecy, and Wally Lamb's She's Come Undone. BD: Any beauty products you couldn't live without? IS: I'm not a makeup girl because I have to wear so much on stage. But I do wear Kiehl's Face Moisturizer. I also like concealer, bronzer, and lipgloss. BD: How do you prefer to wear your hair? IS: Whatever I'm in the mood for. Lately I've been playing with braids and two little buns. BD: Do you have a favorite designer? IS: I'm not into clothes. I'm basic-jeans and a tank, shorts and a tee, sneakers, flip-flops. I don't really have any favorite brands. I'll go to Walmart and Puma's maybe and I've been living in my GAP flip-flops. I rarely spend over $100, except for maybe on boots... BD: And celebrity crushes? IS: No, not yet. At the Teen Choice Awards I saw Jennifer Lopez and Sandra Bullock was really close to me in the audience. I love Julia Roberts and would probably get really nervous (not foolish). |
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| Behind the Glitter of Eden's Crush: One on One with Ivette! |