Jessica Sutta :: She's Got 'Candy'

With 2 successful dance hits, Jessica Sutta is successfully making the leap from ex- Pussycat Doll to solo artist. As she prepares for the release of her debut album, she's giving her fans a taste with her single "Candy." BeBe Sweetbriar spoke to Sutta about her career.

It may not be long before we forget that Jessica Sutta was a member of the Pussycat Dolls, the successful girl group she co-founded. The first ex-Pussycat Doll to land atop a Billboard Chart with her dance track "Show Me," Sutta is now on course to release her debut album, "Feline Resurrection," in early 2015, and recently let fans preview its first single "Candy."

Following in the path of Sutta's two previous top 5 Billboard Dance Chart hits, #1 "Show Me" and #3 "Lights Out," "Candy," co-written with Eddie Serrano, is a bit more sexy and is supposedly a hint of what to expect from the singer/songwriter's upcoming album set produced by UK's young super producer S-X. "It's going to surprise people," says of her upcoming album "Feline Resurrection." "And I'm so ready to surprise people."

While being in a girl group may seem a fairy tale, it doesn't necessarily have a happy ending for every member of the group. It is hard for individual band mates to find a personal fan base outside of the group. Sutta, though, has enjoyed the support of a large LGBT fan base as both a member of Pussycat Dolls and as a solo artist. "It's an honor to be supported by the LGBT community. I absolutely owe all of my success to them," Sutta says of the importance the gay community has played in her career.

I had a chance to speak with Jessica Sutta as she was wrapping up filming her music video for "Candy," and chatted about her highly anticipated album after releasing a string of singles, her new look, and her honest connection to the gay community.

Getting better and better

BeBe: Your #1 Billboard Dance Chart hit 'Show Me' had just begun its rise to the top when we last spoke three years ago. Since then you released another hit in the #3 Billboard Dance Chart hit 'Lights Out.' So do you think it's a good bet that your latest release 'Candy' will follow suit with the success of these other two singles?

Jessica Sutta: Well, I feel that I've grown so much as an artist and especially a vocalist over the past 3 years, and it keeps getting better and better.

BeBe: You have been putting out singles pretty regularly since the official break up of Pussycat Dolls, but your forthcoming solo debut has most recently been announced for a planned release in early 2015. Has it always been the plan to develop an album?

Jessica Sutta: I've always planned on releasing an album, but just when I think I'm done, I'll get 2-3 more tracks from great writers. I've been working with producer S-X, who has totally redone my album. It's been a great journey.

BeBe: Not only have you grown as an artist as you say, you have also changed your look. I see a different sense of maturity in the way you are presenting yourself right now. Is your new look a reflection of the growth you talk about?

Jessica Sutta: It absolutely is a reflection of the growth that I've had. Getting rid of my hair really showed I was coming into my own as a woman and shedding old skin. The name of the new album 'Feline Resurrection' also reflects that. I feel like the old Jessica has died, and through the ashes and rubble I have come into my own. I've become the Jessica you see now. Chopping all of my hair off was a big risk for me because, while I was in a girl band, I had the other girls to hide behind, and with my hair, I had it to hide behind. I'm shining through now.

At home on the stage

BeBe: Being a part of Pussycat Dolls was not just being a part of a singing group. You were apart of an entertainment franchise. You all brought song, dance, theater to the stage when you performed. Are you continuing with that type of stage presence as you go on as a solo artist?

Jessica Sutta: Absolutely! For me, I feel my home is on stage. That's where I belong. That's where I want to be more than any other place in the world. I'm coming back stronger than ever with this album. My live show is becoming stronger as well. I've been training hard in dance and working with new choreographers. I'm just putting a new twist and flavor on Jessica Sutta.

BeBe: And you're an actress as well, right?

Jessica Sutta: Well, I don't know if I'm the best actress (breaks into laughter), but, yes I'm an actress, too.

BeBe: The reason I say that is because of how well you look and play to the camera in your music videos. Music videos are not always comfortable for recording artists, but you seem to be a natural. Are music video concepts something you think about with each of your songs.

Jessica Sutta: I have to say next to live stage performing, music videos are one of my favorite things to do. I just recently completed shooting the music video for 'Candy,' and it was amazing. It was nerve wrecking, too, because I didn't have a cast of dancers. I'm dancing on my own. 'Feline Resurrection,' the album, is a journey of my life. It really tells everything that's happening in my life. It's really honest. 'Candy' talks about a sexual awakening. It was really fun, but I was able to tell that story through my performance in the music video. So I guess, in terms of acting, I can act out my life through my videos for sure.

Her gay fans