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Here is an interview with the whole group of Scene 23. This was taken from http://www.popstarsusa.com
Life As A Popstar
What did it feel like when you first watched the show?
(Dorothy) It was weird. I immediately started critiquing myself. But then after a few episodes, I started to get used to it.
(Donavan) I'm definitely still not used to seeing myself on television.
Where were you when you saw Episode 8?
(Dorothy) We were all hanging out at a club, and I started crying when I saw the episode. All the feelings and emotions came back. It reminded me of how badly I wanted this opportunity.
(Monika) It was intense. Afterwards, there were a lot of people asking for our autographs and taking pictures of us. We weren't used to that because we'd been secluded for so long. We didn't realize that we had fans.
What was it like after you were revealed?
(Dorothy) Finally, we didn't have to hide out anymore.
(Laurie) It felt great!
(Josh) Now we're back to 50 percent normal life.
(Donavan) We can go out when we feel like it, but we still have a really busy schedule.
How does privacy fit into your new lifestyle as a Popstar?
(Laurie) There is hardly any privacy. If I'm on the phone or in my bedroom, I can be alone. But there are cameras and people around us all the time.
(Dorothy) There are eyes on us all the time.
What has it been like going out in public as Scene 23?
(Donavan) It's different now. Laurie and I went to the mall the other day and we couldn't go walk around for more than five minutes without someone recognizing us. People came up to us flipping out because they had seen us on television. There was this man who saw us from inside a restaurant. He started screaming! He was close to 50 and started jumping up and down and zapping out. It was funny because his kids had no idea who we were, but he was going crazy. Then he ran over to us and asked for our autographs.
(Laurie) I've always dreamed about this, but now that it is actually happening, it makes me a little nervous. I know that there will be people who like you and there will be those you don't. I have to be ready to handle that.
(Josh) Dorothy and I went to an outdoor mall the other day. Everywhere we went, there were girls staring at us. They'd look at me and start whispering. At one point, a group of girls came right up to me and just stared at me. They didn't say anything, and after a few seconds, they suddenly ran away.
(Dorothy) Another time, we were standing outside the dance studio and a car with a group of girls pulled up. The girls shouted. "Are you the guys from Popstars 2?"
(Josh) Then one of them said, "Do you know who made the group?" I asked them if they had seen the show [Episode 8] and they said, "Yeah, but who made the group?" It was crazy.
Do you feel a new responsibility now that you are a member of Scene 23?
(Dorothy) I have to look presentable when I go out. I don't want to go over the top but I also don't want to look like garbage. Everyone is looking at us now, and we have to be on our best behavior. You always want to give off good vibes.
(Donavan) I don't know how I'm going to be able to handle it yet. I know that I can't go to the mall anymore and act crazy. That's for sure.
How do you protect yourself from gossip?
(Josh) I try not to worry about it. There are always going to be critics and negative people. There are also going to be people who are going to believe in you. We're into this for the people who believe in us.
(Dorothy) I'm going to try not to let it get to me personally.
What is life like as a member of Scene 23?
(Monika) We work really hard.
(Josh) It's exhausting.
(Laurie) And grueling.
(Josh) We wake up early and then dance all day long.
(Laurie) We leave the house around 9AM to go to dance rehearsal by 10AM and then rehearse until around 4PM. Then we come back to the house and work on our vocals.
(Donavan) We're growing as a group. Everybody came here knowing how to dance. Now we're learning how to dance together as a group.
(Monika) We have a better feel for each other now. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses and work hard to make ourselves better.
How do you feel about what happened to Moi?
(Laurie) Moi will always be a part of the group in some way. No one wanted to see him go. But that is how it is. We just have to stay focused on what Scene 23 is doing now.
(Josh) Moi has called a few times since he left. He wants to see what we're doing and he tells us that he misses us. I think we're a very different group now, but Moi will always be a part of this experience.
What has been the biggest surprise for you so far in this experience?
(Dorothy) When it's crunch time, we all come together.
(Monika) We are really tight as a group under pressure.
Is this what you thought the life of popstar would be like?
(Dorothy) Come back in few months and we can answer that one.
The Name
How did you come up with the name Scene 23?
(Laurie) We really wanted to come up with our name ourselves. We wrote down so many options and none of them cleared. Then Dorothy, Monika and I went to the movies and we were looking at the posters. One of them had the word "scene" on it. We thought that we should try using the word "scene" in our name, Then we thought there should be a scene number. So we came up with the number 23 - 2 guys and 3 girls. Also, one of the producers from the show told us there were 23 scenes before the scene in which we were revealed as a group.
(Dorothy) It was cool that we got to make up our name and it wasn't given to us.
"Respect Me"
How did "Respect Me" come about?
(Donavan) Alex and Brad gave me a CD with eight tracks on it. I wrote to most of them. We played two of them for a group of executives, and they ended up picking "Respect Me."
(Laurie) Donavan even came up with the harmony.
(Donavan) The song is about a topic that we deal with everyday. There's always going to be someone out there who doesn't like you. The song is saying that you don't have to like me, but if I'm around you, at least you can respect me. That's true if you're in school, at work or whatever you do. It's something I have had to deal with my whole life.
The Concert
What are you looking forward to most about the concert?
(Donavan) I hope there'll be a lot of people there screaming and having fun. That's going to be my favorite part. The crowd is what motivates me to perform.
(Laurie) I am really looking forward to seeing my family. Also, we've been working so hard to make this concert perfect. Once it's over, it's going to be such a relief.
(Donavan) And it's going to be a reality check to see if we can really handle it.
(Josh) I can't wait to see my family and friends. I've never been away from them this long. I'm also looking forward to the reaction of the audience enjoying what we're doing. I want to blow them away.
(Monika) I'm definitely looking forward to performing because it's what we have all been waiting to do. But I am especially looking forward to seeing my daughter and my family.
(Dorothy) I'm looking forward to performing and finally seeing everything that we have worked for come together. When we get on stage and our adrenaline goes up 1,000 percent... I can't wait for that.
Message To The Fans
Anything you want your fans out there to know about you and Scene 23?
(Monika) I want the fans to know that I'm normal just like everyone else.
(Dorothy) We didn't have any connections getting here. It was a regular audition that was an open call.
(Josh) My message is that if you want to do something like what we're doing right now, don't hold back. You have to go for your dream.
(Dorothy) Also, even though we were put together for a television show, we are a real group...
(Donavan) ...with real talent.
(Laurie) I've been working for this opportunity for years. I took vocal lessons and majored in music in high school. I've been on a lot of auditions before Popstars 2. It's just that this opportunity was the right one for me.
(Donavan) I want people to know that we came in the door talented. We have a lot to offer, and there's a lot that we haven't even been able to show yet. I want everyone to give us a chance to show them what we can do, not just what they've seen so far. There's a lot more that's going to come from Scene 23.
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Interview with Laurie Gidosh & Dorothy Szamborska
*NOTE: I am not sure where I found this; I believe it was on the Popstars 2 message boards. It does not say the exact paper that it's from. If I find out, I will let you know. I'm sorry that I can't give exact credit to where this interview took place. (But *I* did not do it.)
Fame & Family on 'Popstars'
By LOLA OGUNNAIKE
Daily News Staff Writer
year ago, they were total strangers, but now Dorothy Szamborska and Laurie Gidosh are like sisters. That's what spending four months cooped up together can do to people.
"We were secluded in a house for four months and we weren't allowed to see anyone or have anyone come see us. It was really bad, sort of like prison," Szamborska joked.
"But we all got so close because of that," Gidosh said. "We're like a family."
Dorothy Szamborska of Scene 23
The family that Gidosh and Szamborska, both 20, speak of was created in July when the women, who both hail from the New York area, and four other singers beat out 6,000 hopefuls nationwide to become part of the WB series "Popstars 2," which ends its run tonight at 8 on WPIX/Ch. 11. The reality series documents every aspect of the making of a band  in this case, Scene 23  from its inception to end.
"Every face, every move and every single thing that you say you have to worry about," said Gidosh, who comes from Hazlet, N.J.
"And you have to worry about [the audience] seeing you as someone that you're really not," added Szamborska, of Bayside, Queens. "Like last week, the episode showed us fighting, and it was probably our first and last fight  and it wasn't even a fight, it was a discussion  and they made it into this whole drama thing because that was the only material they had to use."
And as far as reality shows are concerned, "Popstars 2" is pretty tame. No knife-wielding roommates or cutthroat tribunals. The only drama the gang has had to contend with has been the ousting of blabbermouth member Moi Juarez, who was given his walking papers after consistently breaking the show's confidentiality agreement.
"We were not expecting that at all," Gidosh said. "But there was nothing we could do."
They may have shed some tears then, but Gidosh and Szamborska say they and the other Scene 23sters  Josh Henderson, Monika Christian and Donovan Green  aren't allowing an axed member to slow them down. They're jetting cross-country, promoting their album, "Popstars 2: Introducing Scene 23," which arrived in stores Dec.11.
"We have fans that are recognizing us and asking us for our autographs," said Szamborska, a bubbly blond. "We're just really enjoying this period."
Kicking back on a king-size bed in their cozy, midtown Manhattan hotel suite, Szamborska and Gidosh are dressed like typical 20-year-olds in hip-hugger jeans, tight Ts and silver jewelry that looks like they scored it at a mall kiosk. Upbeat and outgoing, the girls have taken to finishing each other's sentences. Both admit they never imagined making it this far.
"I didn't even think I'd make it past the first cut," Gidosh said.
"That first cut was the hardest," said Szamborska, who dropped out of Baruch College to join the group "You only had 15 seconds to show them your stuff. It was nerve-wracking."
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Interview with Scene 23
Teenmusic.com chat transcript:
Who convinced you to try out for Popstars 2?
Monika: My best friend, Jennifer!
Dorothy: My friend Leanne who was also at the workshop.
Donovan: I watched the last season of Popstars and I just couldn't keep myself from going!
Josh: My girlfriend.
Laurie: My cousin, Shelly.
Do you read the message board on your web site?
Laurie: Yes, we do! Sometimes. We try not to look at the negative stuff a lot.
Dorothy: We have a computer no so we are ver up to date on the message boards. We go there almost every day.
Monika: Not all of us! I'm afraid of what people are going to say of me.
Josh: I did look at them but so people are mean and negative so I don't go on there anymore.
Laurie: But there are a lot of good things on there too, so thank you!
How did Moi leaving impact Scene 23?
Monika: There was six and now there is five...But we really do love Moi and we miss him very much.
Laurie: We have to stay focused no matter what. We are sad that he had to leave, but he is supportive of our career.
I want to know who is the shyest, loudest, and the flirt of the group.
Dorothy: Laurie is the loudest!
Laurie: I'm the loudest? I'm not the loudest. :) Josh says I'm the quietest!
Donovan: Dorothy is actually the loudest! :)
Are there any strange, or just habits you guys have discovered about each other that you'd like to share...
Monika: I'm messy!
Dorothy: I leave apple cores around!
Dorothy: and Donovan cleans them up
Josh: I stay up till 4 in the morning, I'm a night owl.
Dorothy: Laurie is on the phone 24 hours a day! Her phone is always ringing!!
Have you had any interactions with Eden's Crush???
Monika: We had an interaction with Nicole from Eden's Crush.
Josh: She was beautiful and gave us a lot of advice for how to live the life of a popstar.
Donovan: I love her so much!
Monika, do you find it difficult raising a child amongst all this Popstars chaos?
Monika: It does get hard at times, being away from her. But I love her very much and I'll see her in a few days. I'm living out my dream and doing this for her so it is all good.
What do you think will be the next "hit" by Scene 23?
Donovan: "He Said She Said" hopefully
Josh: "He Said She Said" hopefully!
Monika: I think that "Respect Me" should be... the song that Donovan wrote!
I saw you when you were in R-Angels...how is this group different and what made you want to join another group?
Dorothy: Obviously, the other group broke up. Lian and I continued being friends, she told me about the audition. The group is different becuase obviously there are guys in the group. Honestly, there is no tension in this group and there was a lot of tension in the old group.
Donovan how did you feel when they said yes to one of your songs for the album?
Donovan: It was the most unexpected, amazing feeling in the world. I didn't think that they were going to pick that song at all!
Have you all had vocal training?
Josh: No, I've never sang in my life ever. The first time that I sang was for my first audition on Popstars2!
Donovan: I've never had vocal training at all. If you count singing in the shower as vocal training, then yes...
Laurie: I've had vocal training. Lots of vocal training for about six years.
Have any of your friends back home treat you different?
Laurie: No, they're still mean to me!
Donovan: I have a lot of new friends that I didn't have before, calling me now, trying to be all "peachy"
Josh: All my friends seem the same, I don't think they'll change.
Laurie: I love my friends and I can't wait to see them.
Monika: I don't know how they are going to act 'cause I'm not hom yet, but I know that it is going to be crazy becuase pople are going to be calling trying to be my friend...
Do you plan on going on TRL or another talk show soon?
Donovan: We hope to go on TRL pretty soon. The video hasn't started playing soon, but when it does we're going to be prayin' that it makes it to TRL!
Dorothy: Make sure you guys request us on TRL!!
Donovan: I wouldn't even mind being a the "close call" or "the wannabe"
What was your worst jobs prior to Scene 23?
Donovan: Roy Rogers -- fast food place
Dorothy: I was just a waitress, so...
Josh: Abercrombie and Fitch was horrible, I hated working there. It was like a slave place. I was there till like 5 in the morning folding clothes and it drove me nuts.
Monika: Working at Pet Boys was my worst job.
Laurie: Working in my step-father's office.
How do you handle the commotion that is put upon you everyday?
Josh: It's still really new to us. I'm still trying to get used to it but I am really really enjoying it!
Was it hard keeping it a secret that you made the group?
Monika: YES!
Dorothy: We had to lie so much! I was in different places, so many friends would call me and I'd have to lie and tell them that I was someplace else, like in London or something.
Are there any budding romancecs in the house, or is it all strictly "buisness"?
Laurie: NO! NEVER!! :)
Monika: There are no romances!
Donovan: I've got a crush on Laurie!!
Donovan: I like Dorothy too, I just gotta pick one...
Monika: Are we getting mixed signals here?
Laurie: We're all just joking :)
Do you guys sing in the shower?
Laurie: NO
Donovan: I sing in the bathtub all the time
Dorothy: I sing in the shower as well
Josh: I sing in the shower every time that I get in
Monika: I sing in the shower!
Monika: Donovan is hilarious when he sings in the shower!
Does anyone play any instruments?
Josh: I play the piano a little bit
Laurie: I started guitar lessons before I came here so I know a little bit but not too much, and I tried to play the piano.
Dorothy: I used to take piano lessons when I was younger, and I have a guitar but it just sits around my house
Monika: I don't know how to play anything, I don't know how I got here!
Do you all still talk to moi?
Laurie: Yes we do. We're in touch with him all the time actually. I hung out with him a couple of weeks ago.
Josh: Moi calls me on my cell phone and we have hung out a few times since he left.
What do you like to do besides singing?
Dorothy: Snowboard Laurie: Go clubbing Donovan: Fashion Design Josh: I love sports, playing baseball and soccer are passions of mine Laurie: Monika plays with barbie dolls... LOL j/k Monika: I just like hanging with my family How old is everyone?
Laurie: We're all 20 except Donovan who is 2?... He's in his very early 20's... :)
Is it weird watching yourselves on TV?
Dorothy: Yes! When I first saw myself, I thought I was the ugliest person alive.
Laurie: I hate it, I look so gross!
I went to three different stores this weekend to get your CD and it was sold out in all three! How does it feel?
Laurie: WOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Josh: That feels awesome!
Do guys and girls play pranks on each other?
Josh: Dorothy was running around the kitchen one day and I popped her with a towel!
Dorothy: One time Josh was sleeping and we stuffed his mouth with twinkikes and bananas and cheese doodles and we took pictures. I have pictures, anyone want them?? :)
How was performing on Regis and Kelly?
Laurie: Thank you very much!
Dorothy: It was a really great experience, especially being from New York -- my home town. I never imagined I would ever be on that show.
Laurie: I got Regis' autograph.
Josh: I got a hug from Kelly, that was the highlight of my trip.
Donovan I heard that you got hurt while making the video. How are yo feeling?
Donovan: I'm feeling fine now. We actually shot that video a LONG time ago. I've healed since then.
How much of the drama on the show is enhanced?
Laurie: It wasn't that bad actually. They were pretty accurate. A lot of times, it is a little bit wicked. You can't really tell what is really going on a lot of the time becuase there is not enough time in the show to put it all in there.
Does any of you get stage fright?
Dorothy: I don't really get nervous. I only got nervous on Regis & Kelly, I don't know why.
Laurie: I do, I'm very nervous before I go out on stage. But once I go out there it is like I'm a whole different person.
Josh: I'm nervous like the week of the show, but the day of the show I am so excited, I don't let the nerves get to me!
Who are some of your influences?
Donovan: Michael Jackson, Usher, Britney Spears, N Sync
Dorothy: Same here, N Sync, Britney Spears -- I love Britney Spears. A few years ago when I was growing up, I guess Madonna.
Laurie: Christina Aguilera
Monika: Aaliyah
If you could cover a song, which one would you do?
Laure: We did a cover song on the album called "All This Love"
When will you be coming to Canada?
Laurie: Hopefully soon becuase I love Canada! And hello to my Canadian friends if you're watching!!
Is there anyong with whom your would like to go on tour with?
Donovan: N Sync
Dorothy: Britney Spears
Donovan: or Usher
Dnonvan: or Brandy
Do you guys have plans on releasing your album here in Canada?
Laurie: If you cross over to the states in New York, you can buy it. You can buy it on-line or my friend from Canada said that it is coming out there in like two weeks.
Is it true that Jackie Salvucci is gonna be in the group?
Laurie: No, no, this is hte group! It's not going to change.
Do you guys look in the mirror and go hey look at me im a popstar and do a little dance when no one else is around?
Laurie: Josh does that, I've caught him doing it a couple times.
Josh: I do not! :)
Was picking rooms in the house hard? Have the sleeping arrangements chagned since Moi left?
Dorothy: Picking beds was harder than picking rooms. The sleeping assignments haven't changed becuase Josh and Moi shared a room. Josh: Now I room by myself, that was the only change.
Josh: Are you and Morgan still together?
Josh: Yes, we are. The rumors are false, we didn't break up!
What was your proudest moment as a group so far?
Josh: Concert Dorothy: Concerts! Josh: And our first autograph signing was pretty cool. 3000+ people!
Do any of you plan to break out into a solo carrer?
Laurie: We're just worried about what is going on with Scene 23 right now. We're not thinking about ourselves, we're thinking about the group as a whole.
Which fan has inspired you the most that sticks out in your mind???
Dorothy: There is one that stuck out in my mind. Her name is "Mimi". She was on the message boards a lot and it is funny beucase the had a sign that said "Dorothy's number one fan" and I took a guess "Is your name Mimi?" and she was shocked that I knew her!
Donovan: Chris
Josh: and Kevin
Josh: and a girl named Charity
What were you guys like in high school?
Laurie: I was a dork
Dorothy: I was quiet...
Josh: I was a jock......... strap.
Monika: I was a nerd
Dnonvan: I wasn't nobody in high school :)
Josh: I was a class clown
Do you guys have just one computer or 5?
Dorothy: We only have one computer and it is MY computer! Just joking.
Donovan: Her boyfriend gave it to her!
Do you guys have a house pet?
Monika: We used to, it was a turtle, but we had to give it back becuase we were travelling.
Donovan: Now our pet is just Dorothy.
Josh: We feed her, make sure she is well fed... give her flea baths once a week. :)
What is your favorite book?
Dorothy: "She's Come Undone"
Laurie: I don't read really... :)
Monika: "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
Donovan: Playboy! :) I'm just joking.
Dorothy: Teeny-bopper magazines... those are Josh's magazines!
Are you guys excited about the concert for the final episode of the "Popstars 2"?
Monika: Yes, we're very very very excited, we can't wait for you guys to see it!
Ok, we're all ou of time! Thanks for joining us!! Any last words?
Donovan: Bye Bye!
Dorothy: Thank you!
Laurie: Thank you for all the support!
Josh: Take care, we love you all
Monika: Can't wait to talk to you all again!
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Interview with Laurie
This is from http://www.popstarsusa.com
Q & A With Laurie.
How did you first start out as a performer?
I went to an arts high school. I had originally applied as an artist. I had it in my head that I wanted to draw or paint. I auditioned for the music department as a backup and that's how I ended up getting into the school. During the audition, I was looking at the floor the whole time and really shy. I have changed so much since then. Now I enjoy making people happy with my singing.
I've always dreamed of being a popstar. But I never seriously thought about it until I got to high school.
What was the Workshop experience like for you?
I cried every night I got called back from the workshop. Each day it was "now or never." The final performance was amazing for me. When they called my name after the show, I was so excited, my mind went completely blank.
What is your inspiration?
The people who push for me are what keep me going. I feel like half of what I'm doing is for me and half of what I'm doing is for my mom. She's been so supportive and always there for me.
What was it like waiting to hear if you had made the group or not?
The waiting was the worst. Some days it didn't hit me that I could actually be in the group and other days I realized I might not have the chance. I wasn't that nervous until I saw Brad at my house. When I saw him, I felt that in a few minutes it was possible that my dream could come true. Then when he told me I was in the group, my family and I all started crying.
What would you be doing if you hadn't made it into the group?
I would still be taking vocal lessons, doing demos and working on my music.
What is it like living together with the rest of the group?
Whenever we don't see eye to eye or I don't get the part I want in a song, I think about how blessed I am to be here and how many people would love to be in my spot. I put myself back in line and feel very lucky.
What is your biggest challenge?
Choreography is definitely my biggest challenge. It takes me longer than the others to get the routines down. I think the more I practice, the more I'll be up to speed with everyone else.
What music are you listening to these days?
I listen to all different kinds of music. I like Christmas music, Frank Sinatra, pop and hip-hop. The Grinch soundtrack is on my Walkman right now.
What is your hope for the group?
We're hoping to get some of our songs on the album to show the public our talent. We want respect. Everyone here is talented and we want people to see that. I hope that it all comes together for us.
~*~ Mini-Interview from February 2002 Twist Magazine! ~*~
So, 'fess up, do you guys really get along?
Dorothy: We have our little fights here and there. Sometimes I'll have to tell someone to 'shut-up' or 'get out of my face' ---but other than that we're close, like brothers and sisters. Oh, and no, there are no love connections going on.
Laurie: Well every group has its problems. We have our disagreements, especially since we spend so mcuh time together. But, overall, we're like family.
How nerve-racking was the auditioning process?
Donavan: I was so nervous---the most I'd ever been in my life. Usually, I'm only nervous until I get up on stage, but with this, I was nervous through-out the whole thing. And being there with the judges staring at you with no facial expression--I was like , 'Okay, I don't know what they're feeling. I don't know what they're thinking.'
Monika: There's so much competition. I'm still kind of in shock that I made it all the way. I still have to step back and take a look around because it all happened so fast. My head is still spinning---its almost like I'm not really here. Everything's very surreal.
Laurie: It's very nerve-racking. I think I cried every day.
Does the TV Show really reflect what goes on?
Laurie: It's not as dramatic on TV as it was in reality.
Monika: There's no way that you could take everything that went on and condense it into 30 minutes. Viewers can only get a little taste of the reality of what happened.
Josh: When I got hurt in San Francisco, they edited it to make it happened differently than it really did. They showed me doing a back flip and then hurting myself when I was actually jumping up to touch the ceiling.
What's been the most challenging aspect of this experience?
Donavan: Trying not to be so self-critical. When I'm in the studio and I'm recording, someone will say, 'Okay, that part was good.' But I'll disagree and then that negativity will mess up the whole song for me. But I'm getting over that.
Dorothy: Missing Home. I miss my boyfriend, I miss my mom and my best friend.
And the best part of it all?
Laurie: Making it and then seeing that everyone who I wanted to make it with me did. I am so happy to be with these guys.
Here are two interviews from http://www.kidzworld.com (search for Scene 23)
Popstars 2 - Introducing Scene 23
Part I:
If you're like most of North America, you can't get enough of reality TV. Shows like Making the Band and Popstars took reality television to the next level as we watched thousands of teens audition for the chance to be in a pop group. From Making the Band came O-Town, from Popstars came Eden's Crush and now the latest band to come out of Popstars 2 is Scene 23.
Kidzworld got to chat it up with the gang from Scene 23 (Dorothy, Monika, Laurie, Josh and Donovan) and here's what they had to say about the band, who they'd like to go on a date with, who's music they dig and tons of other good stuff.
KW: When did you decide to audition for Popstars 2?
Monika: The day before, as soon as I found out it was coming to our town.
KW: What's the advantage to being a mixed group rather than an all girl group like Eden's Crush?
Josh: There's no one else like us. Being mixed raises the creativity and excitement.
KW: What
Courtesy of London-Sire.
are your plans to promote the first Popstars 2 CD?
Scene 23: We're starting with a press tour in New York. We'll be performing, doing promotions and signings for a couple of weeks.
KW: How'd you guys come up with the name Scene 23?
Laurie: Monika and I saw a sign with the word "scene" on it and...
Josh: We took the word "scene" and our group is made up of two guys and three girls and we were 23 scenes into the show (Popstars 2.)
KW: What was the hardest thing about auditioning?
Josh: Getting up and singing in front of someone with so many people auditioning.
Laurie: The choreography because I had never taken a dance class.
KW: What advice would you pass along to a person auditioning for a music group?
Donovan: Just keep on doing it. Believe in yourself.
Monika: Don't be intimidated.
Scene 23: Know it can happen. Be patient.
KW: What is your fave pop song?
Laurie: Bye Bye Bye (*NSYNC.)
Donovan: Pop (*NSYNC.)
Josh: Baby One More Time (Britney Spears) and Bye Bye Bye (*NSYNC.)
Monika:
Courtesy of London-Sire.
I'm A Slave 4 U (Britney Spears.)
Dorothy: I'm A Slave 4 U (Britney Spears.)
KW: If you could go on a dream date with any celebrity - who would it be?
Dorothy: Freddie Prinze Jr. I would like to hang with Britney, as a friend.
Laurie: Chris Kirpatrick (*NSYNC) cuz he's funny. As a friend, Britney.
Donovan: Brandy for sure. As a friend, Usher - he's cool.
Josh: Britney.
Monika: No one really.
KW: If you were picked to be on the show Survivor, what would your luxury item be?
Laurie: My bunny. Her name is Bun.
Donovan: Oodles of Noodles. (Instant noodles pack.)
Josh: AMS Molding Paste for my hair.
Monika: Mac Lip-Gloss.
Dorothy: I'm not sure.
Courtesy of London-Sire.
Popstars 2 - Scene 23 Part 2:
Last week Kidzworld introduced you to the newest popstars on the block, Scene 23. Scene 23 are the final 5 guys and girls (Dorothy, Monika, Laurie, Josh and Donovan) who made the cut on , Popstars 2. We published Part I of our interview with Scene 23 last week. Here's the rest of what the gang had to say...
KW: What is your fave TV show?
Laurie: The Practice.
Donovan: Martin.
Josh: Reality TV - Amazing Race, Fear Factor, Popstars - any reality.
Monika: The Weakest Link.
Dorothy: Reality TV too. Survivor and Amazing Race.
KW: Have any of you had any funny or strange fan encounters yet?
Josh: I sang happy birthday on a fan's cell phone to their friend.
Donovan: I met a girl in the mall who was screaming and hollering for my autograph. She said she loved me and asked if I would walk around the mall with her (and I did!)
KW: What is your favorite thing to do on a date?
Laurie: I don't really like to go out. I would like to watch a movie at home or something.
Donovan: Go out to eat at
Courtesy of London-Sire.
one of my favorite spots.
Josh: Have a good time, go to the movies, go out with friends. I like to cuddle! Monika: Have fun.
Dorothy: Spend time with that one person. Do something fun you both like.
KW: Who is the funniest person in the group and why?
Scene 23: (Shouts) Josh! Cuz he's a comedian and a prankster.
KW: Of the five of you, who would be the next Justin Timberlake and the next Britney Spears?
Scene 23: Josh would be Justin and Dorothy would be Britney. And Donovan would be Usher and Monika would be Aaliyah.
KW: Donovan you wrote Respect Me on the CD. Does the group plan to do more songwriting in the future?
Donovan: Yes, for sure. We want to showcase ourselves and do what we want - not what other people want.
KW: Who has been each of your biggest musical inspirations?
Laurie: Vocally, Christina Aguilera. Performance, Britney.
Donovan: Usher.
Josh: Michael Jackson.
Monika: Aaliyah for her looks. Vocally, Janet Jackson.
Dorothy: Madonna.
KW:
Courtesy of London-Sire.
I know groups hate comparisons but could you name a couple of groups that you guys are similar to?
Scene 23: (Unanimous shout out) *NSYNC!!!
KW: With so many pop groups, boy bands and girl bands - what sets you guys apart from the rest?
Scene 23: We're edgy and we're guys and girls and we have our own style.
KW:Are you worried about being compared to S-Club 7?
Scene 23:No, we aren't worried about S-Club 7, the only thing that makes us similar is that we have guys and girls in our group.
I had a great time interviewing Scene 23. They're a really good group of guys and I wish them all the best in their careers. It's something they've all been shooting for since they were young and all their hard work has finally paid off.
Scene 23 signed off with a personal message to our Kidzworld members, "Follow your dreams and don't give up. If you want something bad enough - never be intimidated and NEVER sell yourself short."
Interview from the magazine Popstar!, March 2002
How did you come up with the name Scene 23?
Dorothy: We're very proud because we made that name up! [Laughs] First of all, we went through, like 500 names or so to figure out what name we wanted. We were coming up with the wackiest names. We really liked the name Flipside a lot but it was taken. Then they gave us a name we we didn't like their name at all and we were like, "Plese don't give us that name!"
Laurie, Monika and I went to the movies one day and Laurie saw something during the previews and it said "scene" on it. So she started writing it down with different numbers on it. We came up with 23 because there are two guys and three girls in the group. It cleared and we were so happy!
What were your impressions of the other group members when you first met them?
Josh: Well, we of course all got really close at the workshop and then once we finally got here to the house I thought they did a perfect job in picking the group. They literally picked the people for the group that I would have picked.
Talent-wise, I'm definitely not even close to being as talented as some of the other people in this group. Hopefully the public will see that and agree with that and love us, too.
Monika: Oh, I love everybody ever since the first day. Even before I made the group I kind of had a vision of who would be in the group and when I walked in it was kinda of like the vision that I had.
Is there anyone that you formed a tight friendship with throughout the audition process and you were surprised they didn't make it?
Laurie: I formed a really tight friendship with Greg. He's just so funny. He was in the New York audition also, and went to the workshop and everything. I love Greg! [Laughs] He's my friend still.
Monika: Jahzeel---I met him during the second audition in DC and ever since that day we just formed the tightest bond. I love him so much...that is my baby! He's such a good person and so talented.
What was the biggest challenge for you, personally, in the Popstars experience?
Donavan: I would have to say being able to deal with living in this house. [Laughs] There are so many different people. I think I've gotten through it okay. When we first got her it was definitely something to deal with. It was definitely a challenge for me.
Josh: I think it was my injury. It was really hard for me because I thought there was no way I was going to make it. At one point I could not put weight on it. When I showed up in Miami it was still so, so messed up that I didn't know what I was going to do. I just knew that I was going to go there and finish.
Dorothy: Probably the workshop---it was just very nerve-racking and I don't think anyone knows how difficult it is, getting worn out.
Dorothy, how is it different working with this group than when you were with R-Angels?
Dorothy: Well, the fact that there are guys in the group makes it so much different. I think it relieves so much tension. [Laughs] Not in any lovey way or anything---there is no love in this group as far as relationships. It's more like brothers and sisters. The way we argue about things is so brother/sister. We'll play fight.
It just helps that there are guys in the group because you know, girls can be kind of vicious towards each other. There's no lie about that. In R-Angels, there was a lot of jealousy going on. The thing is, we all were very different in R-Angels, kind of like this group, but there is absolutely no jealousy in this group.
We had a photo shoot a couple of days ago and everyone was shocked that we would compliment each other's photos.
What were you looking foward to the most about finally being revealed to the world as Scene 23?
Josh: The fans! I cannot wait! I won't believe we even have fans until I see people screamin our name or I'm in public and I have to run from 40 or 50 fans. I just can't wait for the craziness!
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