Singer-Actress Monet Monico Was Born To Be Famous

For 17 year old Monét, there’s no doubt in her mind where she belongs — in the spotlight. But for this talented teenager, deciding what she’ll be doing in that spotlight is another story.

“I love to sing, dance, I love to play instruments, and I want to have my own clothing line. I can’t choose just one,” Monét says of her aspirations. “Ever since I was young I’ve wanted to do all of that. Most people don’t know what they want to do with their lives at my age, but those were the things I was born to do. I want to be on the movie screen and singing on stage, that’s what I’ve always wanted.”

The young star is off to a flying start, having already made guest appearances on such TV programs as “The Bernie Mac Show,” “Zoey 101” and “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.” Her guest spot on “Suite Life” remains one of the highest-rated episodes in the show’s history and landed her the Best Actress title at “The Young Artist Awards.”

Monét got her start in theatre, making appearances in such productions as “Grease,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “The Music Man” and “Teen Witch the Musical.” With daily rehearsals, and time spent practicing with acting and vocal coaches, this teen seems to have an unending amount of energy and drive.

“I’ve been writing songs since I was three, but my first legitimate song was when I was 11 years old,” Monét recalls. “It’s called “Two of Them” and it was actually on “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” when I was a guest star. So it’s pretty cool that the first song I wrote was the song the Disney Channel picked.”

“I write a lot of my own music,” Monét continues. “Sometimes I just sit down late at night and I’ll go through my day and realize there’s something that I could write about. And some are just fun like “Watch Me Dance,” because everybody likes to dance and have fun. But all my songs are just based on what I’m feeling.”

Combine her musical aptitude with her family’s showbiz genes, and it appears Monét is well on her way to getting exactly what she’s been after in record time.

“My dad’s dad did a lot of singing and my dad’s uncle was a composer and wrote songs like “Tenderly” and “You’re in the Army Now,” so I think I definitely got it from my dad’s side,” Monét says of her love for music.

“My mom was an actress, so I think I got that from her, and my dad was a stunt man, so there’s a little daredevil in me too,” she adds.

Influenced by Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Gwen Stefani, Monét can’t help but wow her fans with her energetic and upbeat pop-punk style.

“People at my concerts have fun because I’m a big firecracker of energy on stage,” she says. “I like to dance and I like everybody to dance with me, so when you come to my shows you just let loose and feel alive. What’s a good word for it? It’s just fantastical and everybody should come and dance and sing with me.”

Monét is quickly building a fan base by grabbing the audience’s attention for every act she opens for, a heavyweight lineup that has included Jesse McCartney, B5 and the platinum-selling Jonas Brothers. Her relentless enthusiasm and bubbly attitude on stage is undeniably contagious.

“The other day the Jonas Brothers and I were playing at the same fair and this girl came out just to see me,” Monét says. “She didn’t even care the Jonas Brothers were playing across the way, and I realized that I’m actually making an impact on people. That’s just what I want to do with my music; I want people to have fun and be free and smile.”

For someone so young, the ups and downs of the business have yet to impact Monét’s passion for performing or her commitment to her fans. In a time of fallen pop stars and frequent reports of alcohol and drug related arrests in young Hollywood, Monét pushes on confident in her own character.

“Yeah I’m 17 years old and could be influenced by that, but I choose not to be,” the up-and-comer says. “I’m very self minded and I like to stay on the right track. I’ve never done those things and I never will because it’s just not me and it’s not who I want people to look up to me as.”

“People looked up to Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan, and I don’t want to be the kind of person parents don’t like,” she continues. “I want to reach out to everyone. My mom and dad taught me very well and I’m very lucky that way.”

Not one to simply walk the walk, Monét donates much of her time and talents to such charities as the Ronald McDonald House, The American Cancer Society and Children’s Hospitals all over the country. This past year she received the 2007 “Care Award” to recognize her generous spirit.

Knowing exactly where she belongs, Monét has the positive attitude and the drive crucial to making it. To this rising star, there’s really no other option.

“It’s what I love to do and I know deep down in my heart if acting stopped, if the music stopped, I wouldn’t live,” she confesses. “I wouldn’t be able to function because it’s what I need.

“If I had to be a tax accountant I would die. This job is the best job in the world and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

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