Lauren Hildebrandt

Singer/dancer and self-proclaimed "theatre geek" Lauren Hildebrandt first caught the public's attention by landing in the Top 12 of the televised national talent competition "Fame."

From there "Hildy" (her official nickname) took her talents to the dance floor with the Billboard hit singles "Burnin' Out" and "My Life Again."

After her success with dance music, "Hildy" decided to branch out into the world of pop with her first full-length album "Not Really A Waitress" which unleashed the hit single "Boyshorts."

Her second single from the album, "Underneath," is currently getting massive radio play. I met Ms. Hildebrandt for lunch to discuss her latest release, career, addiction to sunglasses and to set the record straight once and for all that she is "Not Really A Waitress."

MS: The party for the release of your album "Not Really A Waitress" at Les Deux in Hollywood was great! Rumor has it one of your back-up dancers from your performance that night is in Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" video.

LH: Actually, two of them. I watched the video and I saw both of those guys in it. One of them was also on "So You Think You Can Dance." The other one works all the time. When I saw them both in it, I was like, "Oh my gosh! I danced with them". It's really cool!

MS: Very cool! This is a tough business, putting yourself out there is hard. Do you care what people think?

LH: That's funny, I was thinking about that the other day. I was putting on lipstick and thought to myself it was too pink. My friend then says to me "You know if it was too red, or too this, or too that, people are going to talk about you anyway. You have to learn not to really care what people think." This is something I am trying to learn to do more, not care and be happy with myself, for me.

MS: Agreed. Let's chat about your latest single, "Underneath". It's your first single to get some major radio play.

LH: I'm really excited about it! I'm actually doing a benefit show this August in Seattle for a station that is playing "Underneath", C89.5, to help raise money for them. The station is run out of a school. I am bringing a couple of dancers with me, it will be a fun show!

MS: So was there anyone in particular you wrote "Underneath" about?

LH: Well, I don't want to mention any names. It's kind of a combination of different relationships. Let's say that's a good way to put it. (Laughs.)

MS: Word is there is a play being written based on one of the songs off of "Not Really A Waitress."

LH: There is, yes. It is based on my track titled "Mr. Wrong," but I have nothing to do with the writing of the play. It's about two different female characters, one older and one younger, and how they are both going through the Internet dating scene and how you can have a lot of bad dates at any age.

MS: Sounds complicated. (Laughs.) Speaking of theatre, you recently performed in a musical.

LH: Yes, it was called "Paris" and it was so much fun! It was a musical revue that takes place in Paris and, of course, it had a love story and lots of dancing and some great songs!

MS: Could you see yourself doing anything other than performing?

LH: I get such a high and a thrill from it, I can't see myself doing anything else.

MS: What drives you to do it?

LH: Music moves me. Whether I am performing music that I have written, or performing music that someone else has written, I love music.

MS: Tell us what sort of ideas inspire your songwriting.

LH: Whatever I am going through at the time. A friend of mine told me after hearing my album: "Obviously, you were really going through something big". She said a lot of the songs came off as "man hater" songs. (Laughs.)

MS: On that note, what else would you like to tell people about "Underneath?"

LH: The mixes of it are really great and I am loving the great radio support it's getting. The story is one that everyone can relate to. In the beginning of a relationship everything is perfect, then as you get to know a person after a couple of months their true colors start coming through. "Underneath" is about what is hidden when two people first meet.

I really like your sunglasses.

MS: I know you love sunglasses, how many pairs does "Hildy" own?

LH: How many do I own? I have a whole box of them. When I was organizing my closet, I said: "This is going to be my sunglass box." Then I rotate them in and out. (Laughs.)

MS: A pair for every occasion.

LH: You are correct, sir! (Laughs.)

Find out more about Lauren at: www.myspace.com/laurenhildebrandt or www.laurenhildebrandt.com.