16 YEARS OLD AND WORLDFAMOUS:
Tiffany is a star!
She is 16, travels all around the world, has hordes of fans and is very
popular. Especially in America, where she is from. A year ago no one ever heard
of her, but she did have an album contract already. Something not many other
15 year old girls can say! "I recorded an album, but the record company didn't know
what to do next. They could dump it in the shops of course, but the chance of selling
would be very small", says Tiffany.
Hardrockers and old grannies
So something smart had to be come up with... How can you get someone very popular in
a short period of time? Think, think, think... Then you have to let that person perform
somewhere where there are lots of people, like a mall!
So something happened that had never been done before: Tiffany performed in malls all
over America. "That was a great idea", thinks Tiffany, "because you reach all kinds of
different people: grandfathers and grandmothers with their grandchildren, hardrockers,
disco-freaks, rappers, mothers and of course people my own age.
Everyone needs to do some shoppings now and then and when they're passing by while I'm
singing, then they also stop to watch." In short: it worked and to her surprise the single
did very well too. In no time it reached #1 and Tiffany was famous instantly.
Play Hooky?!
In the Netherlands her single "I Think We're Alone Now", a song from her
album "Tiffany", is doing very well too. That means a lot of performing...
But: did you quit school or are you playing hooky? "I get private lessons and I get tasks
that I have to work out. So a math-task for example, and when I finished it I get a new one.
Before I leave, my teachers explain everything and that works fine. Sometimes it's a bit
boring though,w hen you did a show and go to your room, turn on the tv, remote-control in
your hand... then I'm switching from one channel to another, and then I think: I know I
have to do my homework, but.... But yes, I also know school is important, so I do it anyway."
Cool Fans
What do you friends think of the fact you're a star? "Oh,they haven't changed at all. They
are happy for me. but I'm happy they don't treat me different." And what do you think yourself?
"I like it very much, and the fans are very cool!" she tells. "I was very lucky with that. Even
before the album came out I went on tour with The Jets, a kind of American Five Star, but with
eight brothers and sisters, and we visited all kinds of schools. They didn't know I would perform
too, so when I was announced they shouted "what are YOU doing here, we want The Jets!" But as
soon as I started singing they really liked it. So I was very lucky with my audience. That it
won't last forever, I know. You can't be successful all the time!"
Conceited?
No Way!
You already noticed: conceited; Tiffany never heard of that. "One of the most important things
is that I stay myself. Sometimes you see people on tv or you hear them on the radio, and when
you read an interview with them they turn out to be real jerks. That ruins the picture you have
of that person. And, hey, everyone has a talent for something and I happen to have this talent.
That's no reason to feel better than somebody else!"