KAYA JONES: Nothing Fake about this Doll

KAYA JONES: Nothing Fake about this Doll!
By Mina Liccione

On June 26th, 2010 VIVArts, in collaboration with Dubomedy, brought former Pussycat Doll Kaya Jones to Dubai for her first Middle Eastern appearance. Kaya was tightly scheduled with a slew of press events promoting her concert though made the time to pass by the Dubai Community Theater to say hello to the hundreds of young aspiring dancers attending Sharmila Kamte’s Annual Summer Dance Camp where I was on board as one of the guest teachers. I must admit that I was expecting an over the top, full of attitude woman to walk in. I was greatly mistaken. She was very generous, honest, positive and patient with the young dancers as they shouted out their many questions and insisted that she sang something for them. At one point her Road Manager gave her the “wrap it up” gesture and she insisted that she stay an extra 10 minutes to ensure that the kids had a chance to have their questions answered. She didn’t fake her way through anything, but rather an open book refraining from magazine cover answers. She talked about the audition process, rejection, determination, the down side to fame, the importance of remaining grateful and not letting your ego take over. One young girl even said “Wow, you are so nice for a celebrity!” She wasn’t just nice, she was REAL! Kaya was humbled by the responsive energy and continued to talk about the experience for the rest of the night. Even as we laughed and chatted after her late night performance she brought up how much it meant to her to have the chance to share advice to young artists again. She was inspired to continue her work with the youth when she returned to the United States.

I have grown up with the American media glamorizing the rich and famous for their party life, plastic surgery and extravagant shopping. We live in a day and age where Paris Hilton is on more magazine covers than Obama. Lady Gaga’s outfits and Lindsey Lohan’s stint in jail gets more press than the strife in Palestine. It is refreshing to meet a celebrity who not only talks about helping but actually does so. I am honored to now call Kaya my friend and wanted to glamorize the positive side of fame as it often gets it’s thunder stolen by celebrity DUI’s, sex tapes and affairs. This interview with Kaya focuses on a much different way of celebrity life.

Mina: What advice would you give to aspiring young artists?

Kaya: Follow your dreams. Don't let anyone say you can't. It's your dream so no one is gonna see it for you, you have to make your dream come true. And remember this if nothing else, you are special. No one can do you better then you. So be yourself, don't try to be anything you’re not. You are perfect the way God made you.

Mina: As a professional artist you not only need to stay physically fit but also mentally and spiritually. Your line of business is quite stressful. What do you do to keep yourself healthy, balanced and positive?

Kaya: I pray and read the Bible. I also am very connected to my spirit which is connected to the Lord. That helps me spiritually. Mentally I love to write or paint. And physically I like to work out with my trainer or run. But swimming or Bikram yoga are my favs.

Mina: You are known to do a lot of charity work. Which causes are close to your heart and why?

Kaya: The causes close to my heart are, Teachh, which is a charity for Autism. I will be doing a performance August 12th in North Carolina for the first annual benefit. Also working and performing for the American troops. I went to Iraq and Kuwait which was an amazing experience. I will also be going to a local hospital in Denver to play cards, read and hang out with injured soldiers. I also am involved with Project Smile, it helps children born with cleft lips from all over the world get the proper medical care to make sure their surgeries are free and taken care of without any worries. I am also very avid about A21 and Not for sale. Both are causes helping to stop human trafficking. Which is harming and hurting both men, women, and children. This has got to stop.

Mina: How did you first get involved with charity work? How has this type of relief work affected you as an artist and as a person?

Kaya: I was raised in Jamaica. My mother is Jamaican and I remember going with my God mother who was adopted to the orphanage in Jamaica to help with basic needs for the children. Those children became my friends. They helped me I think more then I helped them. They gave me the awareness to know how fortunate I was and that I could do more for my community.

Mina: You’ve recently performed in the Middle East for the first time. What was your experience like? Were audiences different here?

Kaya: It was amazing! I truly had a wonderful time in the Middle East. I think that the human spirit is the same. The audiences weren't different at all. I think when we as humans can see that we all enjoy, food, love, dance, music, family, in every culture we are not all that different.

Mina: What’s next on your agenda and how can your fans best stay in the “Kaya loop”?

Kaya: I am getting ready to head to Los Angeles to film my music video with DJ Regi our song is called "Take it off". The album is #1 right now in Belgium and slowly entering the charts in Europe. I am also still performing and recording nonstop. The best way to keep up to date with me is through my Myspace, Facebook, or Twitter. I answer all emails from my fans personally. Can't wait until I am back in the Middle East performing again for you all. It was truly an honor.

www.MySpace.com/KayaJonesMusic
www.Facebook.com/KayaJones
www.Twitter.com/KayaJones