Interviews & Profiles

D'Luna & The China Dolls
Interview by Xtasy

As I enter the main room of the ever-popular club, "The Tropigala" on South Beach Miami, I can smell the misty air of fresh plants that compliment it's rainforest theme & mural painted on the ceiling.  After a brief chat with the people, & making acquaintance, my interview with Lewis Martinee's artist  D'Luna of The China Dolls shortly begins.  I ask my first question, XTASY:  So, who are "The China Dolls"? D'LUNA:  "The China Dolls are 3 pretty, Spanish, Chinese-looking chicks". (giggles).

X:  How did u get involved in this project?

DL:  "Actually, there was an ad in the paper, ...in the New Times.  They were looking for a Latin girl
who had Oriental features, that could sing.   I called them, & I spoke to Lewis Martinee' & was like:
"Are you guys looking for me?" (giggles) "That's how it all started."  

X:  Were you 3 the original members? (D'Luna, Mary, & Amanda)?

DL:  Yes, we were.

X:  What is you Nationality, age, & zodiac sign?

DL:  "I am Dominican, part Chinese & French.  Those are the main mixes there.  I'm 25, & i'm a Pisces. 
We are crazy signs, cause we are a lil' bit of everything.  Pisces are like a mixed melting pot, we don't
know what we are today!" (laughs)

X:   Are you from Miami?

DL:  "I was born in NYC, Manhattan, & raised in Miami."

X:  What is it like working with legend Lewis Martinee'?

DL:  "Well, I admire him.  & I respect him ever so.  I'm hoping we will be another success story like
Expose'."

X: Knowing that he worked with Expose', & even though none of the girl-groups are together anymore
(Company B, Sweet Sensation, Cover Girls, Teaz 2 Pleaz, etc,)  did u feel that there might have been
some comparisons/competition? Or do you admire them all for the path they made?

DL:  "I was younger when they were out, so I did admire them.  & I'm sure because of Lewis Martinee'
that they were going to compare us" (to Expose').   But I don't have a problem with that, as long as it is
talented people they are comparing us to....it's an honor." We are all Latin.  So the most I can say is that
i'm gonna give 100%, whether there's a big crowd or small, i'm gonna give it my heart, it's my life, ....it's
what I love to do."

X:  Do you consider yourself a "Freestyle" artist or "Dance" music artist?

DL:  "I'm into pretty much everything.  I would say more "Dance" cause we are like the "new"
generation of Freestyle.  I first got into this by dancing.  I got into the "Rave" scene, I like Hip-Hop, ...
I feel it all. I guess being in Miami, you're surrounded by all types of music. Being Latin & a part of the
"Spanglish" generation,  u feel everything.  I'll hear some Conga's - & my hips start going, I hear some
Hip-Hop - & I'll get down, if there's a Rave, - gimme the glowsticks. As long as it's real, & I feel it, ....
I can perform it."

X:  By the way, you have a great body!

DL:  "Why thank you!" -  LOL.

X:  Who's Idea was it to remake Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It" ?

DL:  That was Oscar Lord.  the president of Sony Discos. I pretty much walked in, & he was talking
with his executives.  I just wanted to say hi to him & he pointed at me & asked me: "Can you sing this
verse of "What's Love Got To Do With It"? & I said: "Yes sir!"  So I did it, & we recorded it."

X:  Have you already, or have you considered covering one of Expose's classics?

DL:  "If Lewis wants to do that, it would be fine, but I would really like to do something original."

X:  What other experiences have you had , or would like to have, in the Entertainment field?

DL:  "Fill up Arenas!" (giggles)

Make movies, & probably have a soundtrack  for a movie, or anything. In the past, i've done extra
stuff & acted in school, but nothing major.

X:  Besides Freestyle & Dance music, are you working on any other type of material?

DL:  "I have a lil' thing for Rock. Kinda like Pink has.  A lil' bit of R&B, with Dance & Rock combined. 

X:  So yo like Pink?  ...Even by face, you kinda look like her.

DL: Yeah, she's kool.   When my hair used to be bright red, people would stop me in the street & say: 
"You're Pink"! , ..."C'mon, I know you're Pink"!   I would be like:  ..."No, i'm not Pink, i'm D'Luna" , lol.

X:  What are you're thoughts on the impact of music videos & network stations today, like MTV, VH-1,
etc?

DL:  "Well, in the year 2000, with the whole "Pop" scene & boy groups, it felt like we got attacked
by DisneyLand!"

X:  Do you like any of it?

DL:  "I respect Christna Aguilera,  cause girl has good pipes.  Miss thing can sing her butt off!  If you
have talent, you can do whatver you want."

X:  Are you gonna release a music video?

DL:  "Yes, thats in the process right now."

X:  Do you think the music industr today is playing it fair?

DL:  "Well, because those Pop groups are making the money, it does feel a little unfair. I think they
need to give originality more of a chance.  I like today's Hip-Hop scene, they're being more daring
& mixing a little bit of everything & experimenting all the time."

X:  I'm pretty sure guys out there would like to know, ...are you single?

DL: Yup! "Yo estoy single!"  lol.

X:  Do you have any children?

DL:  "No."

X:  What artist or artists inspire you, & why?

DL:  Madonna, of course.  She's got balls! (laughs)  When I was small, watching her, I loved that she
expressed that it was okay to be  both a woman & sexy.  And as a woman, it's a sign of strength, 
not weakness."

X:  What artist or artists would you like to work with, & why?

DL:  "George Michael.  I would LOVE to do a duet with him.   & Of course Madonna, or  Aerosmith. 
I'd like to cover a lil' bit of everything."

X:  What are your favorite Freestyle songs?

DL:  "I LOVE India!  especially "Dancing On The Fire."

X:  (she starts singing: ..."with just one desire, ...I want your love!"...)

X: If there was one thng you could do to  change the world, what would it be?

DL:  I wish I could make everyone care a little more about eachther.  We have plenty of places to keep
dogs off the streets,  but there's not much out there for people, & that bothers me.  Maybe they're
missing, or need help, you know?"

X:  What do you dislike most about this buisness?

DL:  "Getting up. (laughs)

People mistaking what you do on stage, thinking thats what u are
off-stage.  Because you're very sexual, they often think you're gonna be like that off-stage as well."   

X:  What do you admire about this buisness?

DL:  "The power they have to expose you, & so the world can hear your voice." 

X:  Do you feel you are ready for the mainstream world, or are uplanning to stick to the underground?

DL:  "I've been performing for a lil' over 10 years,  so i'm ready to bow up."  (giggles) But if a club
wants me to perfom, i'm there!"

X: Between you & the other 2 girls that were The China Dolls, how would u describe yourself?

DL:  "I'm the "wild" straight-forward one. lol. Mary was the shy one, & Amanda was a pretty strong
character as well." 

X:  Tell us about "I'll Know How To Love U"?
DL:  "Well, this is Lewis' little monster.  It was already done when I got there, & they were looking for
an artist to sing it.  So, I pretty much  came in, & did my interpretation of it.  My understanding of it is
that a guy is checking somebody out, & i'm trying to tell him; why look anywhere else when I have
everything you want right here, "I'll know how to love you", - you dont need anyone else." I like it. 
It could be a little more "raunchier". (laughs)

X:  Will an album be released?  if so, what can we expect?

DL:  "Were still in the process, & I have been working with different producers.  Like Ford, who's worked
with Robin Fox & Noel.  Jellybean, Al Perez, & the producers of Erotic Exotic from back in da day,
Basically working with people who have made theirr mark."

X:  Where do you see yourself in the future?

DL:  "Hopeull making more music & albums, getting more involved in the entertainment buisness.   I
totally love Jennifer Lopez.  I think the best thing that happenned was that whole "Latin" thing with
Ricky & Jennifer.  We finally started to have people in this generation to look up to. There's sitcoms
for African-Americans & these sitcoms like "Friends", but there's nothing much for us.  It was like
they forgot about us.  & When J-Lo, Ricky, & the others blew-up, it was like: ..."take that!" (giggles)

X: What would you like to tell your fans & the younger aspiring generation?

DL:  "Follow your dreams.  Even if they tell you "No".  Because people are gonna tell you "No". If you
want it bad enough, just do it with all your heart & keep at it. Don't EVER settle for less."

X: "Well, I guess that concludes are interview, thank you D'Luna."

DL:  "No, ...thank YOU".

X:  "You wanna take some pictures?"

DL:  "Yay! ...Let's go!"

(And off we went.)

 The End

Interviews & Profiles