One of the things I love most about Los Angeles is its unpredictable nature. While recently out to dinner at the fantastic Vibrato Jazz Club in Bel Air, my dining companion and I were rewarded with an unexpected surprise; Pia Zadora.
Pia Zadora will be performing with the Desert Symphony at The McCallum Theater (Palm DesertCA) on Thursday Feb 16 8 p.m. $60-$110. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert
The Break
For the past 15 years, Pia Zadora found her bliss offstage as a homemaker and mother. A time she describes as a “huge growth period.” During this time, she moved to Vegas (where her husband is in law enforcement) and “reconnected with the unstoppable, tenacious aspect of myself.” An aspect she says, “Was there when I was fighting for my credibility 20 years ago,” but then, “faded into the background,” when she “acquiesced to homemaking and kids.”
When asked if she had been planning a return to performing during the 15-year break she is quick to answer:
“No, not at all, it was a total blackout. I was in the mommy, wife, and introspective modes.”
Along with her tenacity, Pia Zadora found strength in her ability to make life-altering steps involving her career and personal life. “I was like, wow, you do have guts, you are tenacious, and you aren’t afraid of change. I adapt to new situations and take control of things, it’s empowering.”
How does Pia Zadora define bravery?
“It means confronting your fears, standing up for yourself, and defending others.”
The Return
In honor of Pia’s return to the stage and the time she spent away; I was curious how she saw herself now and 15 years ago?
Three words to describe you NOW:
I have a new confidence; I’m more compassionate; I’m happier. I relate to material and people better, I’m not taking everything so seriously; nothing is forever.
Three words to describe you 15 years ago:
I was still too old to marry Hugh Hefner. I was more self-absorbed; when you’re not confident, everything is about you because of being fearful. I was not as focused, not as happy.
When asked what the biggest surprise/challenge has been since her return to performing she said:
“The biggest challenge is letting go of the home and being away from my husband and kid.” Pia has a teenager at home and she is not above calling, “every five minutes,” to make sure teeth are brushed and dinner is being eaten.
And the biggest surprise?
“How much fun I’m having, I’m really loving it this time and connecting with it and more comfortable with it.”
When asked if audiences had changed since she last performed, Pia responded, “That’s a hard call because I’m different, so obviously the audience is going to be different; more responsive, more connected.”
The Music
So what is Pia Zadora singing? She’s keeping it classy, classic and making the old standards new again, with a Pia twist of course.
“Come rain or come shine,” “Maybe this time,” “Pick yourself up,” and “I am what I am,”(a song she calls her “statement song”) are just a few of the tunes Pia Zadora is bringing back in all their jazzy, supper-club glory.
How did she decide what songs to sing?
“It was process of what I thought I would enjoy singing; the old standards that gave me credibility. I wanted to sing the songs I had sung before; I wanted to make them my own.
And will you hear a cover of Lady Gaga’s latest at Pia’s next show?
“I’m gonna stick with the standards for now because they are my passion and you’ve got to stick with your passion. I want to do what I love at this point on my life.”
And what is Pia listening to for inspiration?
“I listen to the standards; Sinatra, Steven Levy, Feinstein, Michael Buble.”
That doesn’t mean she doesn’t enjoy modern music. Her pop and rock star roots are still alive and well.
“When I’m driving carpool I listen to Rihanna and I love Nelly! I’m obsessed with Nelly.”
After seeing Pia’s performance at Vibrato my friend called the next day and said; “I’m having the worst day and all I can think of is Pia Zadora singing, “pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start again!”
Where does Pia Zadora get her strength and resilience to do just that?
“I think it’s genetic. My mother took no prisoners, nothing stood in her way. You forge ahead you do what you have to do, that’s’ kind of my philosophy.”
Vegas and The Future
Will we be seeing Pia Zadora in a Vegas Strip extravaganza in the future? Zadora said she is “in negations with a couple of casinos” but for now, she’s looking to keep it small and intimate. With summer performances scheduled at the cabaret in the new SmithCenter(opening in Las Vegasthis March) Pia is moving full speed ahead.
And what are Pia’s fave places in Vegas?
Pia loves the Bootlegger Bistro for their “garlicky Italian Food,” and Salvatore’s at the SunCoast. She also has a love for the desert. “It’s so Zen here, you walk out of your house and all you see is mountain and desert it’s beautiful.”
What’s next for you in 2012 and beyond?
I’m doing symphonies now with big band arrangements; I’ll be performing with the Palm SpringsSymphony, being a mom and wife at the same time and maybe some crazy thing like Dancing with the Stars! I’m a work in progress, which is very exciting.
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