By Neda Jafar

Elaborate costumes, gyrating movements grinding to an inspiring drumbeat, spellbinding set designs. No, this isn’t the circus, it’s American pop music in action. The style, the talent and the desire to make it as a pop star in America has become a dream for many teenagers. But for Christina Milian, it became a reality. Isolating talent and getting noticed out of the throngs of wannabes is not an easy feat. Yet, for this relative newcomer to the pop scene who was welcomed into the music scene with Ja Rule’s “Between Me and You” and now boasts a hit song “AM to PM” has finally made it. With songwriting skills sung by Jennifer Lopez in “Play,” it’s just the beginning of Christina Milian’s dream come true.

“It’s all about attitude and following through with your dreams,” said 20-year-old Milian. Raised in Waldorf, Maryland by Cuban-native parents Milian went to - where else - Hollywood to become an actress. With appearances on “Clueless,” “Sister Sister,” “Smart Guy,” “Charmed” and others, she was encouraged to pursue a career in singing.

Success, however, didn’t come overnight. “I remember times when we would just be broke, but I wouldn’t give up. I knew this was what I was meant to do and I refused to go back to Maryland,” she said. It was the hit single sung “Between Me and You” that featured this pop icon’s talents and the rest is becoming a well-sung history.

That Milian has made it is living proof that anyone with a strong passion to follow their dreams can accomplish almost anything they put their minds to. “I mean, with musical artists like Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Britney Spears and Craig David… it’s just a bunch of extremely talented people getting to do what they love,” said Milian.

Milian loves being a pop star. “It’s all about the fans, and just loving to perform,” she said. On tour with Usher in Europe and with Britney Spears in Japan this Spring, Milian also loves traveling abroad. “We are always so well received. We are respected as artists because they can see how hard we work.” With all of the travel commitments, Milian nonetheless makes time to support the Secret to Self Esteem Tour in the United States, talking to young girls about being happy with themselves. “It’s important to have a passion about something that makes you feel special,” she said. It is apparent that she has discovered hers.