The Boy Hollywood
CHAMP: At the moment what are you up to starting off ’09?
NILANTI: As of right now my music is my main focus. Music has always been my biggest passion. I’m working with producers like Odds & Ends. You should start hearing my music out there by the 3rd quarter or even the 2nd quarter of the year. It’s really exciting for me because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
CHAMP: With the music career; what kind of sound are you trying to bring out?
NILANTI: It’s Pop, R&B, Hip Hop with a Bollywood feel. Think of Beyonce or Britney mixed with Timbaland with an edgier feel. It’s different and kind of customizes with my image. I’d mix a little Hindi in it as well. I’m looking to target an International Market.
CHAMP: As a model, where did you start in the industry?
NILANTI: I actually started in the music videos. I was 15 years old and the very first video I did was Akon- Belly Dance and actually prior to that, I’m not sure which one came first it was Kanye West- Slow Jams as well. I was working with these artists way back in the day and they did very well. I started doing that for a while and met new people. The entertainment industry is all about networking. I got really connected and that’s why I’m here today. I still keep in contact with the directors like Fat Cats who did a lot of Ciara stuff and Eric White. All these directors became good friends of mine. I don’t them much anymore, I stopped a couple of years ago but they were definitely my big break.
CHAMP: What was going through your mind when you were approached by a casting agency to be in music videos?
NILANTI: Fred Johnson is the first person to approach me who owns a casting agency in LA named Visionary Casting. He was the one who initially assigned me for over 7 videos. I was working consistently with him. It was all a network but he was the one who put me in the game and was consistent with me. He was the big video guy at that time. He’s moved on to commercials though. I think he still does some videos here and there.
CHAMP: A lot of people are breaking into the reality TV series. Can we expect anything like that from Nilanti?
NILANTI: Honestly, that’s one of the projects that were working on but my music is obviously going to come first. I really want a show because my life is always so chaotic, in a good way and there’s so much going on everyday and things in my personal life as well and the people around me. The show would be great, not only for career purposes but to show my family life because it’s interesting to see how I am at home with my parents or when I’m out and about. I want it to be on a MTV or Spike Network. I hope it works out.
CHAMP: For the fellas reading the interview right now, what’s your status right now?
NILANTI: I am single by choice. Definitely a lot of good options out there but right now I’m at a point in my career where it’s hard to understand my lifestyle. We’ll see, I’m open to it but right now I’m single.
CHAMP: Would you be more open to someone in the industry or your average Joe type or guy?
NILANTI: To be honest for me it’s not about your Average Joe or someone who is in the industry because I’ve dated both in the past. But to me it’s more so about understanding, respect, loyalty and support. The thing with the Average Joe, it’s very hard for them to understand my lifestyle, I’m barely in one place, I get up really late because I’m in the studio really late, or I’m out and I don’t my day started until later. It’s a weird schedule and weird lifestyle and for the Average Joe it’s very hard for them to understand because they have more of a structured life. That’s my only thing, I tried it and that was my only problem. It doesn’t really matter to me. As long as you’re successful and loyal that’s all that matters. I wouldn’t mind dating someone like that.
CHAMP: What is Nilanti’s biggest turn off from a guy.
NILANTI: I hate cheap guys. I don’t like people who are cheap in general. It’s really annoying. Not even guys just people. I used to have a friend who would never eat when we would go out and it would bother me, I knew she was hungry and it’s not cause she didn’t have any money, I mean her parents had a lot of money. Cheap guys are a turnoff.
CHAMP: Do they have to have certain swag?
NILANTI: Men who are rude to other people is another one of my pet peeves. For example, if were at dinner and he’s really rude to the server. I can’t stand that.
CHAMP: Have you ever been to Toronto before?
NILANTI: You know what I haven’t been there. I used to go to Vancouver every year because of family. I might have dropped by in Toronto but never experienced. I heard it’s amazing.
CHAMP: Do you have any plans to come up here in ’09?
NILANTI: I don’t have any plans yet. It’s nothing to get on a plane and come down.
CHAMP: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
NILANTI: For me when I started this I didn’t do it to just be a model and another name, be here for a few years and bounce. I did it because it was my passion and what I love to do. I created a career out of it. I don’t have a 9 to 5. This is what I do for a living. 10 years from now I really want to have an empire built. I started a company a year ago. We used be Virgin now it’s Capital. It’s a PR, Marketing, and Promotions company called Rain Entertainment. We just opened up a product placement division as well in NY and LA. The business aspect is very important to me as well. I am Indian and want to go there and put money into their economy and basically give back. Maybe do some projects with UNICEF as well. It’s very important to give back. It’s really important to me.
CHAMP: Now with your PR company when was that established?
NILANTI: Rain Entertainment and The Lux Agency. It’s been about a year and a half. We have different brands to do product placement. It’s actually great. I love it. It’s a huge part of my life. That’s why I kind of drifted off from my music and modeling, not intentionally but I got caught up with the company.
CHAMP: What can we catch Nilanti bumping in her IPOD or CD Player?
NILANTI: I love Britney’s album. It’s so amazing and I love the production. I like a lot of Indian Music. Jazzy B, JayZ, Pharrell, Common, Kanye, and Beyonce- I like her older stuff better than her new stuff. I listen to a lot of mixtapes. I have one in my car right now from Rick Ross.
CHAMP: What else is next for Nilanti and what’s your New Years Resolution?
NILANTI: I’m actually going to do a shoot for a magazine on their dedication issue. We’re going to shoot that in Fiji. My New Years Resolution is to get up earlier than usual and to wake up at 7am even if I’m out really late. Another resolution I have is to work out everyday with my trainer.
NILANTI PHOTOSHOOT
