The public knows her from the fifth season of Canadian Idol-she made it to the final three. Zac Wagner said, “Carly Rae is undeniably world class. She’s got it.” She is climbing the show business ladder slowly: Canadian Idol, Canadian tour, recording an album-she knows that music is her big chance. Will she take advantage of it?
Vancouver View: When you took part in Canadian Idol you were a 21-year-old who came from a small town and worked as a waitress. In a matter of a few weeks you had to grow up fast…
Carly Rae Jepsen: It was a surprise more than anything. My drama teacher from high school had called me the night before and threatened to kidnap me for the audition and I was feeling tired and depressed…well, I didn’t want to go. I was in a rut to be honest, and Canadian Idol was a nice little curve ball thrown my way. When they mentioned the free trip to Toronto I perked right up! Thought…maybe I’ll go away for a while and use the free flight as a fresh start. It became sort of comical that each week I wasn’t eliminated. I’d be on the phone to my parents saying…”Oh, I’m sure I’ll be off next time.” Couldn’t have timed a surprise like that better in my life.
VV: Was it hard?
CRJ: It wasn’t hard. It was the sort of challenge that I craved. There is the part everyone sees, which is the singing…but it’s also a reality TV show, and that always makes things more complicated. Behind the scenes it’s how you treat the people working with you, it’s communicating with band members, picking the right song, doing something each week that will keep you around. The pressure is huge and I thinking putting that part in perspective is where a lot of people have trouble. At the end of the day it’s only a show and it’s supposed to be fun.
VV: When you thought about a career in show business I’m sure you imagined how it would be. What surprised you the most about the reality of show business?
CRJ: I imagined one day getting a CD out. That’s as far as I let myself run with it, so having a real go at the business side of it has been a huge wake-up call. Strangely enough, I discovered I like that part, too. My parents were always hoping I’d get my act together on that end because it isn’t my forte, but it’s critical if you want to make a career in this. I have managers now and that helps, but I also read a lot, bring my book full of questions to the lawyer meetings and I’m starting to get a grasp on a very complicated business.
VV: How much of the pre-Idol Carly is left in you?
CRJ: Who I am pre- or post-Idol is exactly the same. The only difference is my work ethic. Now I actually have one.
VV: So success didn’t change you?
CRJ: It’s thrilling to see some success come from something you have been working at. For me, deciding to put out a CD was a huge decision. I did a victory dance at HMV when I found my CD there for the first time. But I know life’s going to be full of ups and downs. So I try not to identify my worth in it. This is tricky…for a while I avoided all newspaper articles, Web posts or pictures. Mostly because I learned how easily swayed I am by other peoples’ opinions. Now, I just focus on the music and think “bonus!” if people like it. And now if I come across something media related…I get excited.
VV: It did change your life quite a lot, didn’t it?
CRJ: It doesn’t feel that different. I like not knowing what’s going to happen next and there’s definitely more possibility for that now. I enjoy the extremes of this career. Found out today we’re going to NYC, and next month’s a tour. I love meeting new people and going different places. Who doesn’t?
VV: How did your friends react to your success?
CRJ: My friends voted their fingers off. My brother and his friends had little voting parties! So I really felt supported, but I still missed them. I wrote my best friend a song about missing her so bad while I was away. It’s called “Worldly Matters.”
VV: And your parents?
CRJ: My parents have always been so encouraging. They flew down to Toronto to see the show live. It was wonderful to have them there with me. They know how long I’ve been working at it.
VV: Let’s talk about now. Do you miss the media blitz that accompanied you during Idol?
CRJ: It happened so quickly and I was so unprepared that I have to admit to feeling a bit relieved when it let up. That was odd for me because as the attention-seeking, tutu-wearing child that I was, I thought media attention would be my cup of tea. I realized I like my privacy. If I ever got really famous, I would hide in wigs and disguises all the time.
VV: What is going on in your life now?
CRJ: I have a CD called Tug of War out in stores across Canada. ”Sunshine on
My Shoulders,” a John Denver cover, hit top-20 for radio play, and last week I opened for David Usher at the Commodore. Also, we are going on tour in February.
VV: Are you happy with Tug of War?
CRJ: Yes. It was a pleasure to make. Ryan Stewart is an amazing producer and it was dream writing and working with him. Also the time surrounding making the CD was a real treasure. How often do you get to wake up and write music all day? It’s a lovely sort of existence.
VV: Which of the songs is your favourite?
CRJ: I like “Tug of War” because the lyrics came to me in the middle of the night and they felt so sad and simple. I showed it to Ryan and we found this rhythm and pretty soon it had a dance flavour to it. Such a crazy transformation to witness. Also, I have a soft spot for ”Heavy Lifting.” I wrote it for my boyfriend Alex.
VV: Can a young singer just starting out survive just by singing?
CRJ: I can and I can’t. Depends on how smart I am and I what I put into it. I have done the Bohemian starving-artist thing and I went to Toronto and lived in a mansion with an indoor basketball court. I loved both extremes, and learned that all styles of living have their challenges. My recent one has been surviving sans basketball court! Ha.
VV: What would you like to spend your earnings on?
CRJ: Clothes. If I could be guiltlessly greedy I would shop away every last penny on fancy things! I do have a ridiculous shoe collection started! Honestly, I just moved recently and did the count of flats to heels. The ratio difference was ridiculous. Fifty-five pairs of heels and two flats. I’m 5′2″, so can you blame me?
VV: On stage you look like the girl next door, nothing overly extravagant…
CRJ: Ah yes, well, ‘the girl next door’ is a sweet idea, but no one is that boring. I like experimenting with all sorts of different styles and my friends have gotten used to not knowing what to expect from me. I think its fun to have that freedom.
VV: How do you dress daily?
CRJ: I wear lots of red and I like layers. I would love to learn more about fashion as I get older…It’s a secret fantasy that I would have my own lingerie line one day.
VV: Do you have someone you like to dress up for?
CRJ: I dress up for no particular reason sometimes. If I’m in a particularly bad mood I spruce it up!
VV: I remember that in one of your interviews you said that you love cooking but you’re not too good at it and it all ends up in the garbage afterward.
CRJ: Hey…I’m getting better. I will have you know I make a mean lasagna. I enjoy making food when lots of people are going to enjoy it. Half the fun is seeing them oooh and ahhh over your creation!
VV: What do you do when you aren’t singing, writing songs, and cooking?
CRJ: I watch [The] Sopranos. I am going to become a gangster if none of this works out.
VV: Are you proud of yourself?
CRJ: Yes and no. I am proud that I am giving this a real go and that I’ve chosen to take a road with no rules or guarantees…but there’s a lot more I would like to do before I will feel really proud. That list is embarrassingly long and sort of crazy sounding. I want to try everything.
VV: Do you have a Plan B in case show business doesn’t work out?
CRJ: In all seriousness, I would make a lousy gangster. I guess singing is it for me.
Stylist/Interview: Karolina Jez (karolinajez.com)
Photographer: Trevor Brady (trevorbrady.com)
Model: Carly Rae Jepsen (myspace.com/carlyraemusic)
Hair Stylist: Carolynne Collyer (ccollyer@live.ca)
Makeup Artist: Suzanna Chun (suzannachun.com)
Store: All clothing courtesy of HOLT RENFREW
Location: Chintz & Co.
Hollywood! One of the most competitive cities in the world, it attracts thousands of starry-eyed actors every year to try their hand at making it big in the film and television industry. Only a small fraction of them can ever make a living in La-La Land, however. A small three-storey apartment building near popular Sunset Boulevard in the middle of Hollywood serves as a prime example-the cars parked at this complex have license plates from all over North America, and according to the landlord they change every six months because a majority of them return home. Having staying power in Hollywood requires more than great acting skills and the perfect look.
Vancouver View Magazine: How has the road from Vancouver to LA been for you? 
A look at Sgt. Shinder Kirk on one of his frequent television news appearances gives you the side the public sees-a police officer poised, professional and polite. But Sgt. Kirk has one of the toughest jobs in policing, speaking on behalf of the BC Integrated Gang Task Force.
Sgt. Kirk: “My role is essentially the same; what is different is that now my audience is international in scope as opposed to just one community. I have also been able to expand both my personal and professional boundaries; specifically, I’m not restricted to just dealing with the media, but have been afforded the opportunity to meet and interact with law enforcement, local governments and more importantly people from across North America.
VV: If you could change a few things about the way crime is reported in the news, what would you change?
Viewers love her. In rankings for the most popular TV host she is still on top. In her 12-year career, Fiona Forbes has, along with Michael Eckford, received five Leo Awards and been nominated for five more. In an interview for Vancouver View, Fiona confirms that television is a huge part of her life-but it doesn’t totally consume her.
FF: Anyone who takes themselves too seriously.
