Fresh Beat Band Of Spies' Kiki Talks With Life Songs Of A Busy Mom

I recently was able to interview Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, who many of you will recognize as the award-winning television star known worldwide as "Kiki" from Nickelodeon's critically-acclaimed live-action musical series "The Fresh Beat Band."

Yvette is now starring in the brand-new Nick Jr. animated series "Fresh Beat Band of Spies," which teaches problem-solving to preschoolers. Based on the hit live-action show where the four best friends — Kiki, Marina, Twist and Shout – are also a group of undercover spies and the pop band uses their individual talents and the coolest transforming spy gadgets to outwit a goofy cast of bad guys and solve an endless series of wild and wacky mysteries.

Yvette also recently released a new song and music video for her adult audience titled "Havana," (Click HERE to watch her music video) which blends her vibrant Cuban culture with soulful timeless pop hooks, R&B and Latin influences that seamlessly intertwine throughout her debut single. In addition to vocal duties, Yvette is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, playing violin, guitar and piano on her upcoming album. Since her first violin lesson at the age of three, this young creative soul has been immersed in a musically diverse world that established her early on as a multifaceted artist who was comfortable in any genre. She sang and acted professionally from her early teens and performed for royalty and heads of state with a jazz vocal group she helped form. She started high school at the age of 12 and graduated from the University of Miami on an opera scholarship at just 19 years of age. Shortly after, she took the stage with the Florida Grand Opera, performed at Carnegie Hall, and was discovered by the legendary Engelbert Humperdinck.  Since then, she has performed with some of the music industry's tops artists including Ne-Yo, Jason Mraz, Wyclef Jean, Gloria Estefan, Justin Bieber and All-4-One, among others.

I had a couple of questions for Yvette about her new show, and this is what she said:

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1.     How has the transition been from The Fresh Beat Band to The Fresh Beat Band Of Spies? 

Turning the show into an animated series and adding these new elements was such a wonderful way to allow the show to continue to evolve.  For us, it has been incredible and so far, the feedback from the fans has been nothing but positive!  I’m so happy everyone’s loving it!

2.     Is it easier or harder in your opinion to do an animated show over a live-action one?

It is infinitely easier doing the animated version!  You can technically show up to work in pajamas if you wanted to and it would be perfectly acceptable.  Unfortunately, I didn’t capitalize on that this time around, but hoping they pick it up for a second season so I can!

   3. Talk a little bit about your new character in The Fresh Beat Band Of Spies and how she is different/similar to the live action Kiki. 

 

She is still the same spunky, fun-loving Kiki who rocks out at shows with her friends, only now she is also a really cool spy who owns a beauty salon too. 

4.     What are your personal goals for the future? (Where do you hope to see yourself in the next 5-10 years?)

How much time do you have?  In a nutshell, I hope to be happy, continue to do what I love and work with the people I admire

My kids loved the Fresh Beat Band, and I know they are going to love the Fresh Beat Band Of Spies as well.  Check out the show weekdays on NickJr.