Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2012

Our special guest this time is an actress, singer—and ring announcer—who started at the age of eight as a model. Lauren, what brought you to Japan?
People always told me my music would do well here. So, I showed up and found out about this amazing nightclub called New Lex where I’ve been performing.

You must have met Bill Hersey, the owner of New Lex?

Of course, Bill is amazing and I thoroughly enjoy his crazy costumes every night—leopard print, zebra, you name it!

What kind of music do you perform?

I do dance-electro style, mixed with very hooky guitar riffs. If I had to compare it with any artist I would say it’s Lady Gaga fused with Joan Jet.

So tell us about your career in show business.

I am from Tampa, Florida, and I started out in Florida, on a PBS TV show as a kid. I was also a model for Wilhelmina, so I traveled all over. After that I was on a soap opera in New York for two years as a series regular, and then got signed to Epic Sony and toured with Britney. Probably the coolest thing I got to do was perform at the Superbowl, opening for Aerosmith and Sting… It was awesome!

When are you going to start working with real talent?

Yeah, I really need to up my game! [laughs]

So let’s have a word on Steven Tyler.

We had just finished performing, walked off all sweaty and excited—and Steven Tyler came up and said “You guys really rocked!” I was like “Wow, did Steven Tyler just tell me I rocked?” And then he gave me a high-five.

Since then you’ve been in movies like American Pie, and TV shows such as CSI Miami.

I have actually been in all the CSIs, which is random as they have all different producers, directors, etc.

What kind of parts do they give you?

I’ve been kind of typecast as the suspected murderer every time. In my defense, I never did it, before you think I’m going to chop you into little bits. Apparently people see “rebel bitch slut” in me…

So what were you doing for WWE [World Wrestling Entertainment]?

I was ring announcer for all the pay-per-view fights, so I traveled around the world singing the national anthem and introducing the fights. I got to perform at some iconic arenas, like the O2 in London.

Your parents are both doctors—how did they allow you to go into show business?

My parents insisted on education first and foremost, they said as long as you get straight As in school we will pretend like this is soccer practice, and let you pursue your dream. And they did, so they were super supportive.

What are you going to tell your girlfriends about Tokyo when you are back home?

Mostly about New Lex, it was such an amazing experience with so many great celebrities coming in and out, the after parties, and we even had some sumo wrestlers come in which was pretty cool.

Did they dance?

No they just sat there, I think it was hard for them to get up! But they were wiggling their shoulders to the music. [laughs]

What else are you going to tell your girlfriends?

Tokyo is so clean! There’s no trash anywhere at all. There’s also no trashcans, which is frustrating. I feel like I’m always finishing my latte and holding the cup for an hour after, thinking I can’t possibly litter because it’s going to be seen!

Kamasami Kong, among other things, produces the weekly Tokyo MetPod (http://metropolis.co.jp/podcast).