I befriended a stunning girl named Irene who is Dutch and Filipino
and Playmate of the year in Holland. She just arrived here two weeks
ago, so we bonded over our mutual foreign-ness and as video newbies
we learned quickly that on music videos there are long work days with
lots of waiting around. Thankfully all the girls were super sweet and
one little hottie named Miranda even helped me perfect my L.A. hand sign
and double-checked to see if I was throwing my W up the right way. I
know I am no L.A. native, but I feel like if there was ever a moment
that qualified me as an honorary L.A. girl, throwing up a W in a pool on
a Dr. Dre video was pretty much it.
There are certain things in life that I've always wanted to do.
Usually these things have involved being surrounded by a multitude of
attractive girls, but after ticking off the Playboy mansion from my
to-do list more than once, I have been yearning for something else.
Coming from Australia I went to primary school (elementary) long before
"I like big butts and I cannot lie" was being pumped out of any Sony
walkmans, it was all Kylie Minogue "Locomotion," and as a kid I would be
teased on the playground for what has now blossomed into my
bootylicious booty. The kids would chant "na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na BUTT
GIRL" to the tune of Batman and I would run home crying every afternoon.
Like most awkward childhood features my bum has now come to be one of
my best ass-ets. Yes, I just used that pun. I personally don't see the
big fuss about it but I have received enough compliments about it to
embrace it, even though I still wish I could have that slim tall
supermodel frame, I know it will never happen.
My friends back home have always told me that I would have what it
takes to shake my booty in a hip-hop music video and I must admit I have
been known to practice my booty popping skills in the mirror when I'm
home alone (admit it, so do you). So when I received a casting for "The
Recipe" video by Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar I had to answer the call...
The casting was held over two days and they saw me on the first day. I
actually have no clue where I am going in Los Angeles on any given day
because despite being here for almost a year, I am still lost without my
navigation for directions, and being a granny driver driving on the
wrong side of the road in the wrong side of the car, I rely on Gucci
Mane and 2 Chainz blasting in my crappy Honda stereo to put me in a mood
that's bad ass enough to attempt changing lanes on the 101. So it was
to my surprise when I pulled up to the casting at Interscope records.
After a few awkward and not so glamorous casting locations I have been
sent on during my time in L.A. thus far (run-down office next to rows of
dumpsters, really?) this was definitely one of the cooler locations!
I had no idea what to expect, but as soon as I got there I was beyond
intimidated, there was every mix and flavor of exotic beautiful girl
you could imagine, and being L.A. naturally the general vibe you get at a
casting is competitive and intimidating! I recognized a few faces of
seasoned dancers and Playmates that I am a fan of, so I was very
nervous. However, feeling awkward and self-conscious I gave it a go.
Mustering up my best mirror moves, I sang my current hustling theme
song 2 Chainz "Spend It" in my head - not out loud of course because in
my Aussie accent I would have reeeeally embarrassed myself - did my best
badass sexy faces at the camera and hoped for the best.
The following day, my boy Michael Warren who is signed to Interscope
and so talented that it actually annoys me at times, called to invite me
to watch J.Lo perform his first major writing placement ("Goin' In") on
American Idol. So when I got the call to tell me I was in the
yes-pile for the role of a "Dre's girl," I told the casting director
that they could tell me in person as I was down the corridor in Studio
1. I'm certain they wondered if I ever even left the building from the
day before and probably considered calling security on me, but
nonetheless I was so excited to be on my way to fulfilling my hip-hop
video dreams!
When I arrived on set at 6 am Monday morning in Malibu, my tiredness
was quickly replaced with a sense of panic as I realized that I am in
fact a true blue Aussie and am pretty much the antithesis of anything
remotely "gangsta." I was also the only blonde girl on set and was
stunned by all these exotic goddesses whose complexions were so perfect
even before getting their makeup done. I realized my place as the token
blonde and had a giggle to myself, and no, not a cloud of
green-induced giggle - to my surprise, I didn't smell a whiff of that
the whole two days I was shooting?!
Needless to say, meeting Dr. Dre was beyond surreal, even to a white
blonde Aussie dorky girl like me he is a music legend and I was
surprised by how approachable he was to everyone on the crew.
Kendrick Lamar was also super cool and chatted with everyone - not
just the bikini-clad babes, which I though was really friendly and
awesome.
As for the details of the shoot, you will have to wait and see when
the video comes out. I don't want to be "that girl" and ruin it, but
expect nothing less than awesomeness and West Coast everything. If I
make the final cut and you see a white bum or a flash of token blonde
hair in there that's me, a long way from home!
