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Debbie
de Coudreaux
The American flower who flirted with the crown of Paris and eclipsed the lights of Les Champs Elysées…
Debbie: I have a theory: You must have talent. You must have the drive and you have to have the stamina of a truck driver.
WACJ: How long it took you before you became
famous?
Debbie:
I think the term 'being famous' is relative. I would say I am 'well known' as
opposed to famous! I really can't tell you when I became known. Perhaps after
I started appearing on television.
WACJ: What did you do before you reached the top? Did you go through
what many other struggling artists experience and suffer from, such as odds
jobs, double or triple shifts, trying everything…knocking on impresarios and
agents doors and such? Or you were wealthy and you did not need to work?
Debbie:
Oh I wish! (about the 'being wealthy' part!). Actually, I was very lucky. As I
said before, I was in the right place at the right time. My career just took
off. I didn't go through the typical 'starve for your art' cycle that a lot of
very talented people go through. Instead, I worked steadily from the day
I got my first job as a dancer. However, I did pay my dues by working very
hard. It isn't easy being the star of a show.
I couldn't call in sick whenever I felt
like it. I had to give my best performance no matter what because people paid
a lot of money to see the show. It was my job to ensure that they were
entertained. I didn't have days off in the beginning, instead I worked 7 days
a week, doing 2 shows a night. In fact, in Las Vegas, we did three show a
night on Saturdays! This is very hard work.
WACJ: When and what was your first big break?
Debbie:
My first big break was when the legendary producer, Donn Arden, made me a
singing principal in his show "Hello Hollywood Hello".
I had been a dancer and everyone told me
that I would never be hired as a singer by him. Good thing I never listen to
people when they tell me I can't do something.
Photo caption by Debbie:
I performed at the Savoy Centenary Ball in London. It was a fund
raiser sponsered by Princess Diana
WACJ: Frank Sinatra once said "Of course,
it was luck at the beginning but hey, once you are in, you got to have
talent." Is it always like this in show business or the way around?
Debbie: At some point, a person is going to have to show what they
can do. You might get in the door by luck, or who you know or just by accident.
But after that, you have to be able produce. If you don't have talent, you don't
last.
WACJ: How do you explain and define your
success?
Debbie: I have a theory: You must have talent. You must have the drive
and you have to have the stamina of a truck driver. No one really talks about
how much hard work it is to be an entertainer! It may seem glamorous (and
sometimes it can be), but it really is hard work. I love what I do, therefore it
makes it that much easier to continue on with my career. But, I have had to make
sacrifices in order to sustain that career.
WACJ: What did you do to get noticed?
Debbie: I was always prepared, I did what I was directed to do and
I made sure that I always performed full out (in other words, I didn't mark)
WACJ: While you are performing, writing or
composing, do you look at the faces of people who surround you?
Debbie: In a cabaret venue, I always connect with the audience. I look at
their faces and if it is appropriate, I go out into the audience to interact
with them.
Photo,
right: "Julie" in Hal Prince's Show Boat on Broadway
WACJ:
Which face attracts you most? Faces that catch you attention? What do you see in
people?
Debbie: I
like smiling faces. I like people who are enjoying themselves.
WACJ: What are your best qualities as an artist?
Debbie: I give
100% when I am performing be it acting, singing or just speaking.
WACJ: And as a woman?
Debbie: I think
my sense of humor is my best asset as a woman!
WACJ: What did you do first, short after you got your first break?
Debbie: I
called my mother to tell her the wonderful news, because without her, I wouldn't
have had the courage to seek my career in the first place.
WACJ: Any advice to all those aspiring artists who need a break?
Debbie: Luck is
just being prepared for when the window of opportunity opens for you!
WACJ: What they should do when they are rejected?
Debbie: Do not
obsess with rejection. Even the big stars are rejected for projects they really
want to do. Rejection is part of life, you just cannot take it personal.
Debbie in Italy
WACJ:
In your opinion, what are the 3 most important qualities in an actor/actress?
Debbie: Charisma, fearlessness and a willingness to go the distance
WACJ: Do you have those qualities?
Debbie: Absolutely
WACJ: If you were not a singer, a diva today, what would you be doing?
What occupation or career or job you think you might have considered?
Debbie: I would be in some form of communications! Either corporate
communications or the media.
DEBBIE
de COUDREAUX ON SONGS, MUSIC, PEOPLE AND LIFE:
WACJ: Any regret(s) in life?
Debbie: I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to get
married, have children and just have been a mom. But regrets...I have none.
WACJ: Many talented but unfortunate artists fear a lot of things in
life, particularly rejection, career failure, financial difficulties, etc.
What the very successful, brilliant and secure artist and diva Debbie de
Coudreaux fears most ?
Debbie: Not having enough time to do all the things I still want to do!
WACJ: How do you spend you time in San Francisco? Shopping? Cinema?
Reading?
Debbie: When I am in San Francisco, I spend most of my time
with my family and friends since I don't get to see them very often.
Mostly, we go out to dinner and talk and laugh!
WACJ: What do you do for fun?
Debbie: I like to go out and see other performers!
:WACJ: Have you ever had any unpleasant experience on stage, with
producers, singers, peers?
Debbie: Overall, I can't really recall any serious problems with fellow
performers, directors, choreographers, conductors, etc. I think of myself as
part of 'the team' and try to work within the group to reach the final goal:
making the show as best as possible. I have experienced patrons in the audience
who were less than polite [due to excessive alcohol intake] but you learn to
ignore incidents like that. I can honestly that it only happened rarely.
WACJ: Do you get mad sometimes?
Debbie: Oh yes, I have been known to lose my temper.
WACJ: What makes you mad?
Debbie: People who are lazy and don't give 100% on stage. People who are
unprofessional basically.
WACJ: And do you make people mad at you?
Debbie: I am not perfect but I do try to keep things pleasant and
upbeat. It is so much easier to work if everyone gets along.
WACJ: What do you like and dislike about
American men?
Debbie:
It
would be difficult for me to make a blanket judgment about American men in
general. I can offer some observations from those men I have come in contact
with. I think there is a lot of pressure put on American men which makes them
a bit uptight and stressed. I have noticed a vast difference in how American
men act around women as far as general politesse is concerned. Having a door
opened, a chair pulled out or even a man stand when you enter a room
doesn't exactly happen very often. It really depends on where I am and whom
I'm with. To be honest, I think manners have gone the way of the dinosaur in
the US. "Please" and "excuse me" are not used as often as
they should. However, there is a type of energy that is unique to American men
that can be quite attractive. Women have made advances as far as how we are
treated by men. Men are more sensitive
WACJ: And European men?
Debbie: European men are extremely charming and gracious. They have the
knack of making a woman feel feminine and alluring without being overt about it.
Subtle is a word that comes to mind. I do believe I was spoiled in Europe in
that regard. However, women are still treated...differently. I wouldn't say
European men are chauvinistic but rather still have traditional views
towards the roles women play in society.
WACJ: What time do you go to bed, usually?
Debbie: If I am performing in my show or any show for that matter, I
usually stay up late...1:00 AM or so. If I am not performing, I usually am in
bed by 10:00 PM!
WACJ: And you wake up at?
Debbie: Same thing, if I am performing, then
I wake up later around 10:00 AM. But, if I am not performing, I try to get up at
8:00 AM.
WACJ: Do you follow fashion?
Debbie: I don't follow trends because I am too tall and not a jejune
fille. However, I do keep an eye on fashions to see how they are
developing. I try to dress in a style that is flattering for my life style
and figure. I have a womanly form, not too thin but not to big. I like
classic lines, not frilly or frou frou. I stick to basic colors: black, white,
red and use accessories to add any depth or additional color.
WACJ: Your best couturiers and designers?
Debbie: Jean Louie Scherrer, Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Chloe.
WACJ: Favorite fragrance?
Debbie: Panthere de Cartier.
WACJ: Favorite Cuisine?
Debbie: Bien sur, French!!!
WACJ:
Favorite Cities in the US and the world?
Debbie: San Francisco because it is the most European of all the US
cities, Paris, London, Rome, Madrid
WACJ: Favorite colors?
Debbie: True Red: because it is a power color, very
alive and vibrant.
And that was Debbie de Coudreaux…the American sweet, tender, passionate and
fatal diva…
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Order
Debbie’s CD and add a treasure to your Music Collection. You will
treasure it and enjoy it for many years to come! It was selected and rated by
WACJ as "THE BEST FRENCH-AMERICAN MUSIC" CD of the Year!
If you are a real music lover, a person who
appreciates world class music in all its elegant simplicity and enchanting
complexity. If you love the authentic French music blended with the wealth of
Broadway, Hollywood and the golden music era of America, then you MUST add
Debbie’s CD to your collection. Your music collection will never be complete
without Debbie’s “Have A Little Paris On ME”.
Many
American female singers recorded Parisian songs and released Cabaret CDs but none
of them except Anna Bergman and Raquel Bitton is as authentic as Debbie
de Coudreaux.
So what are you waiting for? Add a little Paris to your life. Add a treasure
to your music box. Order a copy of Debbie's Debut CD Release: "Have
A Little Paris On Me" from her web site.
Visit: www.debbiedecoudreaux.com/main.htm
to
order. Also available at: CDBaby.com/cd/decoudreaux
WACJ
Rating:
(The Best of the
Best!)
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