News
Christina Milian: ‘The Voice’ Interview
Born in New Jersey on Sept. 26, 1981, but
raised in Waldorf, Md., Christina Milian is a
versatile talent whose resume includes film,
television, theater and music. She recently
appeared in the television movie "The
Christmas Cupid" and on "CSI" and
enjoyed a recurring role as the voice of
Esther on "Family Guy."
She also starred in the last installment of
the popular "Bring It On" franchise, entitled
"Bring It On: Fight to the Finish." Prior to
that, Milian's feature-film credits include
"Pulse," "Be Cool," "Man of the House,"
"Love Don't Cost a Thing," "Can't Buy Me
Love" and "Torque."
Christina kickstarted her showbiz career
at a young age, when she became a junior
journalist on the Disney Channel's "Movie
‘After all, the show is
called The Voice. It’s
about vocals’
Surfers." Before igniting her musical jour-
ney, she appeared on such TV shows as
"Clueless," "Sister, Sister," "Smart Guy,"
"Charmed," "The Steve Harvey Show" and
as a recurring character on "Get Real."
Christina's "It's About Time," released on
Island/Def Jam Recordings, featured the
mega-hit "Dip It Low" which combined a
unique blend of urban, Latin and pop sound.
Her self- titled debut, "Christina Milian,"
produced the hit "AM to PM."
She moved to California at the young age
C ELEBRITY
I NTERVIEW
by Kam
Williams
of 13 and was selected to sing the hook on
Ja Rule's No. 1 hit single, "Between Me and
You." The enormous success of the song
introduced her to the mainstream music
world and gave her commercial success.
Christina subsequently co-wrote the Jen-
nifer Lopez hit "Play" and she was one of
the co-writers of Justin Bieber's smash
"Baby." Here, she talks about serving as
the Social Media Correspondent on NBC’s
The Voice, where she brought viewers
closer to the competition as bridge
between the on-air and online experiences.
That enabled the show’s fans to appreciate
the entire production process through
exclusive interviews, video, photos, news
about the coaches and artists and a live twit-
ter feed on the official website at
www.nbc.com/ the-voice/.
Kam Williams: Hi Christina, thanks for
the interview.
Christina Milian: Thank you, Kam.
KW: What interested you in being the
Social Media Correspondent on NBC’s The
Voice?
CM: Well, I thought it was an interesting
concept when they approached me with the
idea, because I’ve always been heavily
engaged with my fans on the internet from
day one. That connection’s one of the rea-
sons why I’ve been able to enjoy such
longevity in my career. I guess NBC must
have noticed that one of my main staples is
social media. So, when they approached me
for The Voice, I thought “Why not be the
first one to do it?”
KW: When do you work in that capacity?
Just during the hours when the show is on
the air?
CM: No, all the time. I tweet day and
night about the show, and the entire time
while it’s airing. So, the fans are complete-
ly engaged while it’s on. But I constantly
get messages asking questions about the
stars of The Voice. I also posted a ton of
interviews I’ve done with all the artists, the
coaches and the advisers on the show. So, I
do my job 24/7.
KW: What do you think of the show’s
blind audition format?
CM: I love it! That’s what make our show
unique and gives it so much more integrity.
After all, the show is called The Voice. It’s
about vocals, and you have to stand out to
get the attention of these four, Grammy-
winning superstars who have an amazing
ear and know what they’re talking about.
They rely on their ear as well as the reaction
of fans in the audience to figure out whether
that contestant is worth pressing that red
button for. It’s a great concept which keeps
everybody on the edge of their seat. It’s also
kind of scary because sometimes they don’t
press the button for people who do have the
talent and do have the look. You just never
know what’s going to happen.
KW: Do you ever disagree with the
judges?
CM: Oh, there have been moments. But
remember, I’m watching the actual person.
I can’t say what I would do if I were turned
around and couldn’t see them.
KW: How hard is it to get on the show?
How many people applied?
CM: We have thousands and thousands.
Over 30,000 people auditioned all around
the country to get down to the final 100+
who made the cut.
KW: You’re multi-talented: singer, song-
writer, actress, dancer, choreographer,
model and now you’ve added correspon-
dent. Which one is your favorite?
KB: I’m an entertainer, period. But I’d
probably have to say my passion is in
singing. I’m willing to go broke singing.
[LOL]
KW: What’s coming up for you, musical-
ly?
CM: Big things are about to happen. I’ve
recently signed a new record deal and I’m
already in the studio working on my next
album.
KW: Larry Greenberg says: I'm trying to
promote an independent film I made on
social media, mainly Facebook. It can be
overwhelming. Do you have any tips about
the best way to reach fans online?
CM: Definitely pay attention to things
like hashtags and to what’s trending at the
moment. Try to connect to what’s hot and to
reach out to and to follow the right people.
You never know who might retweet you and
help you get some more followers.
KW: Is there any question no one ever
asks you, that you wish someone would?
CM: Are you a different person in front of
the camera than the person you are behind
closed doors? I used to be, but no longer. I
find I don’t need to be polished. I feel that
you have to keep it real, and that’s the best
way to go.
KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you
ever afraid?
CM: I have had fear in the past, yes. I’ve
learned to fight it. But I still have my
moments. I just have to remind myself that
fear is all within your mind, and that you’re
only holding yourself back when you give
in to it. Even fear of success can be scary.
Just get over it!
Opening This Week
continued from page 2
country’s role in the Holocaust.
Portrait of Wally (Unrated) Courtroom
documentary chronicling the 1997 legal
case pitting the Museum of Modern Art
against the rightful heirs of a priceless
Egon Schiele painting looted by the Nazis
in Vienna during World War II.
The Road (R for terror, violence and dis-
turbing images) Haunted highway horror
flick about a decade-old, unsolved murder
case reopened after three teens (Barbie
Forteza, Derick Monasterio and Lexi Fer-
nandez) go missing along the same stretch
of an abandoned boulevard. With TJ
Trinidad, Rhian Ramos and Alden
Richards. (In Filipino, Tagalog and English
with subtitles)
Small, Beautifully Moving Parts (Unrat-
ed) Baby-maybe comedy about a pregnant
woman (Anna Margaret Hollyman) who is
ambivalent about becoming a parent
despite her boyfriend’s (Andre Holland)
unbridled enthusiasm. With Sarah Rafferty,
Mary Beth Peil and Richard Hoag.
Tonight You’re Mine (R for profanity and
sexuality) Battle of the bands comedy
about the argumentative lead singers (Luke
Page 4 The Seattle Skanner May 9, 2012
Treadaway and Natalia Tena) of competing
rock groups who find themselves forced to
settle their differences after being hand-
cuffed to each other by a preacher (Joseph
Mydell) the day before they’re both sup-
posed to perform at a music festival. Sup-
port cast includes Mathew Baynton,
Alastair Mackenzie and Gavin Mitchell
Under African Skies (Unrated) Paul
Simon returns to South Africa for a reunion
concert a quarter-century after he recorded
his Graceland album there much to the cha-
grin of the anti-Apartheid movement trying
to topple the racist regime. With commen-
tary by Harry Belafonte, Whoopi Goldberg,
David Byrne and Maya Angelou.
Where Do We Go Now? (PG-13 for sen-
suality, violent images and drug use) Mid-
dle East dramedy about a group of
Lebanese women’s effort to ease escalating
tensions between Christians and Muslims
in their tiny hometown by surreptitiously
feeding the feuding men brownies baked
with hashish. Starring Nadine Labaki,
Leyla Hakim, Antoinette Noufaily and
Claude Moussawbaa. (In Arabic, Russian
and English with subtitles)