JAZMIN – The New Girls on the Block

If you haven’t heard by now, the Khong sisters are the hot, new act in town. You may recognize them from MTV’s “Top Pop Group,” where they were one of the finalists on the show, and one of the finalists from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”. Individually, Nadia, Felicia, Celia, and Daria have personalities that are unique but together they form a bold, sweet and sexy musical force.

Being a triple threat – “ smart, talented, and beautiful – “ how could anyone not notice them? Here at Asiance we certainly did!

Asiance caught up with the sisters from Los Angeles to find out what life has been like since coming into the limelight, and see what is next on their agenda.

Asiance: How does it feel to be nationally recognized? You guys have been on MTV’s Top Pop Group, Extra, a finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent and so much more.

JAZMIN: When we are recognized it feels great as it gives us a newfound sense of accomplishment. We have worked so hard to get where we are so far and are grateful that so many opportunities have been open to us. It also shows us that there is a new recognition for Asian-American artists and that is definitely rewarding.

Asiance: Does the exposure feel a bit overwhelming at times?

JAZMIN: All the cameras, mics and lights blaring at your face can definitely be overwhelming at times, but we are just so excited to share our story that we throw those anxieties aside and focus on the opportunities to inspire others by putting ourselves out there.

Asiance: On your MySpace page, there’s a cute YouTube video of the JAZMIN talent machine making its first public debut, per se. Can you talk a little bit about that?

JAZMIN: Performing in our first talent show was definitely a moment that we will never forget. The funny thing is that we prepared similarly to the way that we do now, on a smaller scale. We rehearsed our song, picked out matching outfits, choreographed our routine and worked it out! Since we are family we are one of the few groups that can say that we have all been together since the youngest member could talk. It’s interesting to see how much we have progressed over the years and we are thankful for where we are today.

Asiance: Before appearing on national shows, where would you mostly perform?

JAZMIN: We would sing almost anywhere: clubs, sporting events, schools and special events. We try to perform as much as we can. We love performing and the experience helps us to improve and progress over what we did the previous year.

Watch JAZMIN on America’s got Talent

Asiance: How would you describe JAZMIN’s sound?

JAZMIN: Our music taste ranges from jazz standards to hip hop to Motown. We love all kinds of music and I think that’s what makes our style so eclectic. We love the harmonies of the old school groups and the sounds of today as well.

Asiance: Where do you draw inspiration from for your music and your choreography?

JAZMIN: Our inspiration definitely comes from the artists like Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, George Gershwin, The Beach Boys, The Supremes, Jackson 5, The Temptations, Destiny’s Child, Aaliyah, TLC, Janet Jackson and many more artists. There are too many talented people out there to name – “ we could go on for days.

Asiance: What is it about music that attracted you to it?

JAZMIN: Since our mother was a piano teacher, music was in our life 24/7. We would live and breathe it everyday. There’s just something about a good beat with a tight hook that moves us. It’s actually indescribable, but we know we can’t live without it. That’s when we knew we had found our passion.

Asiance: What music are each of you currently listening to?

JAZMIN: We are in love R&B/Pop artists like Beyonce, Chris Brown, Jazmine Sullivan, Chrisette Michelle, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Usher and Rihanna as well as Hip-Hop artists like Jay-Z, Ludacris, Lil Wayne, T.I., Mos Def and Pharrell.

Asiance: Being sisters, obviously you all have nothing but sisterly love for each other, but are there times, especially since you’re together a lot, when you all get on each other’s nerves?

JAZMIN: Of course there are times when we don’t get along! We are sisters and it is only natural to have disagreements. Since we have very different personalities they collide at times, but in the end we all have one thing in common, which is a love for God and our family. Knowing where we have come from holds us together and keeps us moving to make good music!

Asiance: Besides being JAZMIN, do all of you work or go to school?

JAZMIN: We all used to work full time until recently, when we decided to let it go, to take on our music career full force. Nadia graduated from UCI and worked in fashion, Felicia graduated from UCLA and was a graphic designer, Celia graduated from UCI and was an assistant to a sports agent and Daria was still in school at UC Irvine. We worked and went to school while pursuing JAZMIN on the side for a very long time and felt that it was time to make JAZMIN our full time job.

Watch JAZMIN sing Who’s Lovin’ You by Jackson 5

Asiance: Being on so many shows and making a lot of media appearances, do you have time any down time? How do you spend your time when you want to just unwind?

JAZMIN: Although we have very hectic schedules, we always try to take time to relax and have fun! We love to hang out with friends, go to the movies, go to the pool, go dancing at a club, go shopping or just write songs together. Music is always involved in some way or another.

Asiance: When can people expect your debut album? Single?

JAZMIN: We are currently working on brand new material so we hope to drop something within the next year or so. Be sure to check out our MySpace page (www.myspace.com/jazminonline) for updates on new music and shows!

Asiance: Where do you see yourselves in the next few years?

JAZMIN: In the next few years we will still be singing and performing all over the world. We want to share the love we have for music and each other and will continue to do so for the rest of our lives. We don’t know for certain where we will be, but wherever it is we know that the four of us will be there together.

For more on JAZMIN, visit their Myspace page at www.myspace.com/jazminonline and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/jazminonlinetv.

To contact the writer, you may e-mail her at tanya.thamkruphat@gmail.com.