After we finished there the night was still young so the Photographer and Stylist took us out to a few of their favorite spots around town and I really got a feel for the music people listen to in Chicago. It was my first time to the windy city and it was a great opportunity to get a feeling for the people there.

The next day Trammel (Our Marketing Director) flew in from Brazil, just days after his wedding, to help make the introductions and make sure we connected with all the right people at the event. We all got ready to go to Summer Bash and Toyota Park. A friend of mine who lived in Chicago, Gina, asked if she could come along and bring her friend. The entourage grew… and all of us went and got back stage passes. We had a great time and got to meet LMFAO and take some pics with them in the V.I.P. seating section. The performers were excellent.. Kelly Clarkson first then Akon Performed and was amazing. There were at least 20,000 people in the audience moving to the music. After his performance we went back stage and met with him and Regina, we got some pics with Akon and I really loved how cool he was. He really rocked the stage and it was an honor to meet him that night.

After the shows that day… we left to go perform at a club called Zero Gravity. We performed On The Dance Floor in front of hundreds of young people ages 16 to 23. They gave us a great welcome and were really into the song. After the performance I had the opportunity to take pictures with some of the kids back stage before it was time to go back to the hotel… We had to pack and catch the plane back to NYC bright and early.

On the way to the airport Chicago gave me a very special going away gift – On The Dance Floor was playing on the radio – I almost did not recognize it at first… what an amazing experience! Chicago is a fabulous city and I learned a lot.

After my Single, On The Dance Floor, got some airplay on B96 in Chicago with DJ Boogie on Memorial Day weekend, we realized that with all the buzz being generated we needed to have some new photos to promote the single. (scheduled to be released on August 11) So I found myself flying last minute to L.A. to do a photo shoot on June 6. I had to get my flights literally a day or two before the trip and suddenly I found myself on the long flight to LA… I have a feeling I better get used to that being in show business.

Once I arrived I was swept up into a flurry of activity. My team had arranged for me to have my nails done, a stylist who ran me around from store to store in LA to find “The Look” we were going for… simultaneously my team was also coordinating with the Photographer, Creative Director, Photo Location, Videographer (Behind The Scenes) and Special Effects folks to make everything come together so last minute.

We all met that first evening after a day of intense preparation for a nice meal and so the creative team for the photo shoot could get to know each other. The vibe was great… it is hard to find people who can come together and gel in such a way in such a short span of time. The dinner was great and meeting we had afterwards felt really solid… We all went to bed knowing what the next day would bring.

After a very late night… ending around 12:30 I had a 5:30 AM Wake Up Call and 6:00 Am Pickup for the shoot.. who says this career is glamourous. Once we arrived at the location we immediately set to work. The first major business of the day was a rework of the shoot concept. Otis (Our Creative Director) had an epiphany over night and the idea came to him that Irena Hart was to be The Goddess of Dance My husband is Thoren the God of Rock and Roll. I thought that was so perfect.

We switched gears on a dime and all the people on the team had to basically create miracles to change wardrobe last minute and hair and so on…..well it worked – like magic. During the shoot they filled the space with fog and had me hanging from the ceiling by wires… it was crazy and something I had never done before.

Everything went very smoothly except for my arm falling asleep because I was hanging on the wire from the ceiling and was wearing the harness… it took me 3 days to get my arm to wake up again… hahaha… But I survived… the photos are unbelievable.

Each time I visit LA I find newfound admiration for the city – it is becoming my favorite place to visit. Every trip has been fantastic… and the people so wonderful. I can really get used to this – till then… Ciao!