LOS ANGELES (HOLLYWOOD UNWRAPPED) -- Who loves going to concerts??? I want to know your favorite concert that you’ve attended and if you tell me, I’ll make sure you get a little something for it! I love concerts and I’ve attended a few in my time on the beat. Some of the larger ones that I’ve attended include Eminem and Usher. I’ve also attended smaller concerts featuring Jordan Sparks and Ashlyne Huff. All of the shows were special and all bring a little something different than the other.

I have to say the most fun I’ve actually had at a concert happened last week when I was invited to a VIP concert for a new artist named Manika. I received the invite and I first was wondering who the hell this new pop singer was and what made her so special! What did she have compared to all the girls and guys that come out with a new single and consider themselves a singer? Most people think they can be the next Britney Spears or Taylor Swift.

I had the chance to listen to a few of her songs through her facebook page. I actually now have a favorite song that I looked forward to listening to live at her performance. The song I like the most is called “Woo Hoo” and it’s one of those songs that puts a smile on your face and even sometimes can make you dance a little. I got to the SIR Studios in Hollywood a little early and talk about a set up! They had an open bar and free food that included some cat fish and these little hot dogs wrapped in bacon that reminded me of the ones that are sold on small street carts (illegally) around Hollywood when the clubs are open.

The Las Vegas born 17 year old Filipino Manika, yes she is like Prince and Madonna using only her first name, It fits her well because she knows how to perform as she is a natural on stage and even if she looks a little different than your average pop singer, it works to her advantage. Manika and her band of dancers make it a fun time that you can enjoy with the whole family! I had a blast but, unfortunately, I ran into a few problems. None are life threatening or do they call it career threatening in the music business?

The problem starts and ends wth  Manika's backup singer/keyboard player being REALLY attractive which takes away from the aura of the actual star of the show. I joked around with Heather Fogarty prior to the show when I asked for her name. She said “She’s the greatest tambourine player ever!” and I could not agree more with Heather. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she stood in the back playing the tambourine and looking like she had the most fun you could have on a stage.

The second problem, which to guys is not really a problem, is the mystery that surrounds one of the two dancers. Her name is Maryss from Paris and I was  eyeing her prior to the performance. She was walking around with this big trucker hat on and it looked like she was hiding something. I was correct as the hat came off and everyone in the audience got to see her long blond hair. I later talked to her to get her name and that's when she told me Maryss from Paris and I asked her if that was the name on her California ID?? She smiled and told me no, but she was french and nobody could pronounce her real name. She did add that Maryss from Paris was the name she was registered under in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

When she got on stage, Maryss and the other dancer, whose name is Mona Bernsten, showed everyone what it means to be a professional dancer. They took their job seriously yet looked like they had fun! Maryss was smiling the entire time and it was an experience that I don’t think I’ll ever forget! The thing is she is more than a pretty face and she has performed with some of the music business's “A- list” stars including Justin Timberlake, The Black Eyed Peas and Missy Elliot. She was also one of the dancers in the ipod commercials that ran on TV not too long ago.

Enough about Maryss and back to the star of the evening Manika. Manika will be releasing her debut single “Just Can’t Let You Go”  featuring LIL TWIST   on June 14. The world may not know who Manika is today, but trust me when I tell you that you will learn her name quick. I will be paying attention and will be first in line for her album and her concert, when she returns to Los Angeles.  Manika goes on tour later in 2011.

http://ManikaOfficial.com
http://youtube.com/ManikaOfficial
http://twitter.com/ManikaOfficial
http://myspace.com/ManikaOfficial
http://facebook.com/ManikaOfficial

Hollywood Unwrapped by Jeremy Meyer is an opinion column. The opinions expressed in this column are solely the opinions of the columnist and are not necessarily the opinions of this publication or any other outlet that publishes this column.