Show & Tell: Meet Pussycat Doll Sophia Monica
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in Palm Springs, but I was raised here. We came out here when I was 2.
Q: Did your family move here because of the entertainment business?
A: No, my father was in a couple of different businesses. My mom was an entertainer. She was a singer in a group called "Up with People."
Q: Like, "Up, up with people, you meet ’em wherever you go …"
A: Oh my God (laughs). I have to tell her!
Q: So did you walk around the house as a kid singing the "Up with People" song?
A: Um, no (laughs). Not really.
Q: But you probably did hear a lot of music around the house?
A: Oh yeah, I was always singing. … I kind of wanted to be a dancer before I wanted to be a singer … and in my older years I was like, "No, singing is my heart." So I’m really kind of transitioning to being a singer right now.
Q: Now, being lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls (Las Vegas) probably takes advantage of all of your talents.
A: It does. I’m up there singing, and I’m dancing with some of the most phenomenal dancers in Las Vegas.
Q: Was it difficult becoming a Pussycat Doll?
A: (Creator Robin Antin) always says that inside every woman there’s a Pussycat Doll, and I think it’s true. Inside me there was a Pussycat Doll, and put me inside the clothes and I’m good to go (laughs). So it was an easy transition.
Q: You’re also up front as sort of the ringleader. Is that weird for you?
A: Yeah, it is, but you’re almost playing a role. … People want to have a good time and they want to be brought up on stage and they want to sing with you. You think it’s going to be hard, but give them a little and they’ll take it. They’re ready to go.
Q: Any weird audience experiences?
A: Well, there have been a couple of guys who want to get up on stage and dance, and it’s, like, "Just the ladies, please." A couple of guys, they want to show their Pussycat Doll moves.
Q: But it’s easy to get women on stage?
A: They come flying up. I have to scoot over because I might get hurt (laughs). They are so ready. They came to Vegas and they’re in the Pussycat Dolls lounge, and I tell them, "Inside every woman is a Pussycat Doll," and they’re, like, "Yes, there is."
Q: You should do a Pussycat Dolls version of "Up with People" sometime.
A: Sure (laughs). You’re invited.