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When you meet the three Clique Girlz-sisters Paris and
Destinee Monroe along with best friend Ariel Moore-after
hearing them sing, it will shock you to learn that such
big voices can come from such petite girls.
The pop-rock exuberance of their currently untitled debut
album, releasing on Interscope Records, is richly filled
with three-part leads and harmonies delivered with a freshness
and authority that contradicts their ages.
Working with some of the top-name producers/songwriters
in the business, 12-year-old Paris, 13-year-old Destinee
and 13-year-old Ariel have stunned industry observers
with a professionalism that still doesn't get in the way
of fun.
Songs like "Then I Woke Up," written by John
Shanks and Kara DioGuardi, introduces the trio's fun outlook
with nods to "rock, hip-hop, bling and Dr. Phil."
The track was produced by Robert Schwartzman and John
Field (Pink and Switchfoot).
One listen and you realize this is no manufactured, teenybopper,
bubble-gum group, but a group whose music can appeal to
all ages. The three met at school five years ago and became
inseparable friends, driven by their love of music and
dance to form a group.
In person, Clique Girlz Paris, Destinee and Ariel finish
each other's sentences as they enthusiastically describe
the journey that has taken them from their native Atlantic
City, NJ, to Hollywood, where Jimmy Iovine himself signed
them to his Interscope label.
"Ever since we were born…" begins Destinee,
the rocker in the group, who dresses in black, wears classic
rock T-shirts covered in skulls and stars and counts Mick
Jagger and the Rolling Stones, Green Day, Paramore and
Avril Lavigne among her musical favorites.
"We came out singing," laughs Paris, the princess
of the group, who cites Destiny's Child as an influence
and is represented in the group by crowns.
Adds Ariel, whose group symbol is hearts: "The past
four years have been so amazing, and this album defines
who we are. Our mindset has always been to enjoy every
kind of music, from opera and classical to hard rock and
R&B."
"We try to keep our mind open to everything,"
explains Paris. "Destinee's the rocker. I'm a little
bit softer, but I love all music."
"We want to be known as serious artists," nods
Destinee.
Even before going into the studio to record their debut,
Clique Girlz have been making a name for themselves, singing
their incredible version of the "Star Spangled Banner"
at a variety of sporting events, including last December
at a New York Jets NFL game at the Meadowlands before
70,000 fans. They recently traveled to Tokyo, Japan where
they performed the National Anthem at the opening game
of Major League Baseball at the Tokyo Dome between the
Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A's.
They've entertained at NASCAR, NBA, MLB, and US Open
tennis events and have opened for such groups as Backstreet
Boys, The Click Five, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kirk Franklin and
the Jonas Brothers, a group they're often compared to.
"That's a great compliment," says Paris. "We've
been blessed with this vocal talent, and we want to share
that gift with the world."
Although Paris, Destinee and Ariel are clearly on their
way to stardom, they are careful to maintain the fact
they're still normal teens. Perhaps their only vice is
shopping and maxing their parents credit cards at stores
like Hot Topic, Betsey Johnson, and Ed Hardy.
"It's important for us to be role models,"
says Ariel. "We want to set a good example for kids
in our age group."
"Our thing is no drugs, no alcohol, no boys, no
partying," adds Destinee. "Except for the dance
parties we have during sleepovers."
"We're so tight that we make sure to keep one another
grounded," says Paris. "We've come so far, why
jump off a cliff now? We have strong families and great
parents. We do our own laundry and fold our own clothes.
We're still normal kids. But this is something we've always
wanted to do. And we weren't going to stop until we succeeded"
"We want kids our age to know that you're never
too young to dream," encourages Ariel.
That dream has been nurtured through four years of hard
work, and now with the imminent release of their major
label debut and their upcoming 55 city tour with Raven
Symone, they are ready to reap the benefits.
"We knew this was going to be a great deal of work,"
says Paris. "But it's all been worth it."
As for future goals, Destinee admits: "We want to
break the record of staying together as long as the Rolling
Stones. Maybe we'll stay together even longer."
With their upcoming debut album, Clique Girlz have taken
the first step on that path.
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