She's the debut act on Bad Boy's brand new Crazy Joint label, with a soaring voice that's already hitting top 40 airwaves across the country.

Marina Chello loves to perform, she even goes to open mic nights as she's currently recording her debut album, which she tells me will be available early 2010. Her single Sideline shows off her beautiful pipes. The first time I read the song, I actually got teary-eyed, she says. Its so emotional. I had to have it. When I sang it in the studio it was just amazing.

Her song is building an audience moved by her voice and the message, People tell me they really connect with the song, she adds. I think we've all been sidelined.

The connection in music is something Marina is familiar with. As a young girl she came to the States from Uzbekistan; when she first moved here she didn't know English. Naturally, music played a role in her development. That's the only thing that got me to relate to other kids, she says. I would spend hours on end listening to music, reading the lyrics, studying them almost. It really helped. With music, I felt comfortable in this country.

Now she's living the American dream.

Her personal tastes are a bit old school. I really listen to a lot of old stuff, she tells me, listing the Eagles among other old faves. The type of music she listened to with her dad growing up. My childhood influences were definitely artists with real beautiful voices like Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, she says.

Right now, she's building her roots and getting ready to take over the charts. Fortunately she has all the right people in her corner. You have to have a support group that really believes in you, she says. I'm lucky.

On being the first signed to Crazy Joint she adds, I want to make them feel like they made the right choice. I want them to be proud.

That's the kind of work ethic that will get you everywhere! For more with Marina, visit her mySpace: myspace.com/marinachello

Wes Ferguson is a lifestyle expert and entertainment writer living out the Young Hollywood dream in beautiful Westside Los Angeles.

SHARE: