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American Morning

MTV Award Nominee Nikka Costa Ready for Big Night

Aired September 05, 2001 - 11:38   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A hot new singer whose star is rising is getting set for what's expected to be a big night.

MCEDWARDS: That's right.

Laurin Sydney joins us now with our "Showbiz" segment.

Hi, Laurin.

LAURIN SYDNEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right, no audio problems here.

But first another story, because there are continuing concerns about singer Mariah Carey's health this morning.

Carey's spokesperson and ABC announced that the troubled chanteuse's scheduled interview with Barbara Walters has been postponed because Carey, quote, "needs more rest."

When asked whether Carey had been rehospitalized, the spokesperson gave a "no comment" to "Showbiz Today Report." Carey was treated at a Connecticut clinic last month for what was termed a physical and emotional breakdown. She has canceled all appearances, including publicity, for her upcoming film debut "Glitter."

Now, there is one very hot singer that we know will be showing up at Lincoln Center tomorrow night. Nikka Costa, the daughter of Frank Sinatra's legendary producer and arranger Don Costa, is nominated for best new artist at MTV's Music Video Awards.

Now, that nomination was helped along by her sexy video for "Like a Feather" from her debut album, "Everybody's Got Something."

Here's a look.

(MUSIC VIDEO, "LIKE A FEATHER")

SYDNEY: And joining us now is the artist that definitely has something, Miss Nikka Costa.

Welcome to "Showbiz Today Reports."

NIKKA COSTA, MTV AWARD NOMINEE: Thank you. Thanks for having me. SYDNEY: I think it's so ironic that you're nominated for best new artist. You started your career at age five, you recorded at age eight. Does that have anything to do with all the legendary performers that surrounded you during your childhood?

COSTA: Well, I mean, I think that music -- well, it was obviously part of my natural environment, so maybe, you know, it was one of those normal things for me to get into, you know. But it didn't necessarily help me get a deal or like all those kinds of thing, because at the end of day you still have to be able to kind of, you know, back it all up. But, you know, I had a lot of people around me and my dad was very musical and a great person, and so, you know, he was very supportive when I wanted to sing, so.

SYDNEY: In the genes.

COSTA: Yes, yes.

SYDNEY: Nikka, I know it's very important as an artist to really connect with your fans and to make sure that they have a good time. How important is winning an award to you as an artist tomorrow night at MTV?

COSTA: You know, I mean, it's so cliche to say, you know, but the most important thing is just to be nominated. But at the end of day, it is. It's like winning would be great, you know, no one likes to go home empty handed. But at the same time, I'm so honored to just even be, you know, considered in this category because there's so many new artists, you know, those -- were churning them ought all year along, so...

SYDNEY: Now, if any other artists are watching, it took you two years to make this album and you were allowed mostly creative control. How the heck did you do that? It's so unusual!

COSTA: Well, yes, I was very lucky. You know, I'm with a great, you know, company, and they're very artist-friendly, and, you know, all into developing and, you know, that kind of thing. And I think record companies need to give that freedom to artists because this is the only way you can create stuff that's going to last for a long time, you know, so.

COSTA: You're about to start your "Funky White Bitch" tour -- sorry, even though this is cable, that's the name of the tour.

(LAUGHTER)

COSTA: Yes.

SYDNEY: Why did you name it that? Or did you name it that?

COSTA: Well, yes -- well, yes. I just completed a video for "Everybody Got Their Something," it's a new video coming out in September, and in it I play a superhero called the Funky White Bitch, and I'm -- I basically -- it's a spoof on the record industry, and there's this record company called Wack (ph) Records. And it's basically, you know, my take on -- it's done with a very, you know, silly sense of humor, and very tongue-in-cheek. And it's -- you know, I'm saving the world from Wack music.

(LAUGHTER)

COSTA: And it's totally -- like, we were laughing the entire time. Like it's completely ridiculous. But I really wanted to just wear underoos and a cape. So, you know, I had to think of a concept in order to do that.

SYDNEY: It's your opera and you are starring in it.

COSTA: You know.

SYDNEY: Nikka, thanks you so much and good, good luck tomorrow night.

COSTA: Thank you.

SYDNEY: OK.

From real-life rock stars to fictional ones, when "Showbiz Today Reports" continues. Stay tuned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SYDNEY: Hollywood was rocking last night at the premiere of the new film "Rock Star." Star Mark Wahlberg was there to celebrate the opening of the new film in which he plays an ordinary guy whose dreams come true when his favorite band hires him as their new lead singer.

We'll talk to Wahlberg and co-star Jennifer Aniston a little bit later today in our 4:00 p.m. "Showbiz Today Report."

And in the 2:00 p.m. hour, we are joined live by Phil Keoghan. He is host of the much-talked about new reality show, "The Amazing Race."

Now back to the very amazing Colleen and Leon.

Let's race back to them in Atlanta.

MCEDWARDS: Thanks, Laurin.

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