Girlicious is Delicious

Rolyn Chambers chats with the feisty pop starlets making a splash at Pride

Girlicious was conceived on TV. From the beginning, everything about it was already determined: the name, the songs, the clothing. Even the girls themselves were chosen, by Robin Antin, founder of the Pussycat Dolls. Over 10 episodes of the reality show Girlicious, Antin whittled 15 hopefuls down to three young women (plus Tiffanie Anderson, who parted ways with the group in 2009). After three years, however, this buxom threesome — and their catchy pop tunes — is slowly coming into its own. It doesn’t hurt that their name and pop stylings conjure camp silliness, which is perhaps one reason they’re popular not only with prepubescent girls but young gay men as well.

Two of the girls, Nichole Cordova and Chrystina Sayers, call from LA, ready to chat about their upcoming performance at Splash Bash during Toronto Pride.

Like the Spice Girls’ slogan, “Girl power,” the name Girlicious has taken on a different meaning for each of them. “To me it does mean girl power and friendship and amazing times,” Cordova says excitedly. And like the Spice Girls, who were defined by prominent personalities, the members of Girlicious are settling into their own characters. “Even though we are a lot alike, we each bring something different to the table,” Cordova points out. “Natalie raps and Chrystina and I have very different voices.” Their distinct personalities are even more evident when they’re asked what they would be if they were gay men: tops or bottoms?

“I’m not going to answer that,” replies Sayers quickly before Cordova (the more vocal and perhaps dominant member of the group) blurts out, “Gang bang!” Whispers are heard before they reformat their answer. “Girlicious would not take it that far. We would only hold hands and do group hugs.” Giggling ensues.

The fact that they have been together this long, when many critics did not expect them to survive even a year, says as much about their commitment to each other as it does about the management of their careers. “We have defeated all the odds,” declares Cordova. “I see us taking on more things musically. I see Girlicious becoming even bigger than we are right now.”

“Kids in Canada knew who we were before we even knew that we were big there,” Sayers recalls. “When we got to Canada it was The Twilight Zone. They were meeting us at the airport and everything.”

While flying all over Canada to visit their fans, they have seen the big cities and even some remote places — like Yellowknife, where a cargo plane was needed to get them to their destination. “It was really cold. We were like Girlicious popsicles,” Sayers says with a laugh. ”And that’s a really good flavour. For real,” says Cordova.

Though used to performing in front of screaming young girls in low-rise jeans and horny guys with erections in their skinny pants, it will be a different scene when they headline the gay-marketed Splash Bash in Dundas Square.

“I love the whole gay pride thing so much,” Cordova swoons. “As artists, it’s about expressing yourself in different ways. I feel that we connect with that. The energy of gay crowds is like no other audience.”

“The gays are the best people to perform for,” Sayers adds. “They don’t judge you. They don’t look down on you at all. They’re like, ‘Oh my God, it’s three hot girls on stage shaking their breasts.’ They just love you. The gays will always love you even when we’re 45 years old. They are truly committed to us.”

Gays are a loyal, easy-to-market-to group, but what of the rash of lesbianism and bisexuality in the current crop of music videos? “If it’s natural and the artists are expressing themselves, then go for it,” Cordova says. “People can tell if they are doing it for attention.”

The girls are eager to work with people like Dr Dre, Bow Wow and David Guetta and excited about expressing themselves even more this year. The video for their new single, “Manic,” will be released online soon. In August their new album drops, and they have a song on a motion picture soundtrack that they are keeping mum about.

“And of course we are super excited to do this amazing Pride party!” exclaims Cordova. “It’s going to be super massive, right?” FABMAGAZINE.COM