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CNN Live At Daybreak

Interview and Performance of Jaci Velasquez

Aired December 24, 2001 - 06:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SATCHI KOTO, CNN ANCHOR: Now, getting us in the Christmas spirit this morning, is Jaci Velasquez. She has lots of titles, including Latin pop star, prodigy, teen superstar -- Jaci, thank you so much for getting up early this morning.

JACI VELASQUEZ, RECORDING ARTIST: Oh, thank you.

KOTO: I know it's kind of hard to be in tune this morning. Now, Jaci has sold over three million records, she has earned 15 number-one hits, and you're also on "People" magazine's, one of "The 25 Most Beautiful People," as you see here, and you've been nominated as favorite Latin artist at the annual American Music Awards, to be presented in January. Now, who are you up against for this award?

VELASQUEZ: Oh, I'm so nervous. I'm up against Shakira and Enrique Iglesias for Best Latin Performer.

KOTO: Well, we're rooting for you. Absolutely. Now, you've recently released a Christmas album --

VELASQUEZ: Yes.

KOTO: -- and tell us about some of the songs that you've chosen and why you chose them.

VELASQUEZ: Well, we chose a lot of traditional songs. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem," and we really tried to keep the record in true form of what -- you know, traditional, keep it really classic, so you can listen to it from years and years and years to come. We also have this record in Spanish, which was something I'd wanted to do for a long time, record a Christmas record, and then record it in Spanish, which is the -- which is so much fun.

KOTO: Now, you do songs in Latin, and also in Contemporary Christian, so this kind of goes along with your Christmas album, right?

VELASQUEZ: Exactly. Well, you know, for me it's a -- I love doing, you know, both kinds of music, and they both bring out something different from you. And being able to do a Christmas record that is based on your, you know -- based on Jesus' birth, and everything, it's been so much fun to just be able to take this record into places that normally it would never go. KOTO: All right. I'm going to get out of your way. Your fans are waiting. Jaci Velasquez.

VELASQUEZ: Oh, thanks.

(MUSIC "I'll Be Home For Christmas")

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