Former Charleston resident makes TV debut Sunday

By: April McLaren/ Staff Writer

Posted: 2/12/04

Former Charleston resident and 1998 Eastern graduate, singer/songwriter Charlotte Martin, 27, can add actress to her extensive list of credentials.

Martin recently recorded an episode for the TV show "American Dreams." She guest stars as Petula Clark performing the 1964 hit "Downtown" in the episode titled: "To Tell the Truth."

Martin said the producers of the show thought she had the right look and sound to play Clark after her publisher sent in a video of her performance.

"It was great looking like my mother," Martin laughed as she described the look she was given to play Clark. "American Dreams" is set in the 1960s, so big hair and vintage clothing is a must.

Even though the show is set in the 1960s, Martin said the producers put "pizzazz" into her character.

"We did the hot version of Petula," she said. "We glammed and slammed her up."

Martin said she enjoyed her time with make-up artists, wardrobe designers and the show's choreographer.

"Trust me," she said, "you don't want to see me dance."

Martin described the "American Dreams" set as "an exact replica of the original set of 'American Bandstand,'" including old cameras and original footage of Dick Clark.

Martin was on the set for three days. Her time was spent fitting into wardrobe, transforming her modern hair into the 1960s style, putting on make-up and at rehearsals.

Martin said she performed the song about 10 times, which took a couple of hours to record.

The episode also featured a guest appearance from Nick Lachey (98 Degrees and MTV's "Newlyweds"). He played Tom Jones and performed the hit "It's Not Unusual."

She was not required to memorize any lines for her part, only her musical performance.

Besides a previous mention of her name on the "Today Show," this is Martin's first TV appearance.

Overall, Martin said she loved the experience.

"It's fun pretending to be someone else," she said. "I really felt like Petula Clark."

Martin said she saw Lachey walk onto the set after her performance but did not have a chance to talk to him.

She said she always liked Tom Jones and thought it was "cool" Lachey was playing the part.

During the airing of the show, Martin and her friends will celebrating her TV debut at her publisher's home.

She said she will "sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the hairdo."

Besides her "American Dreams" appearance, Martin has been preparing for her tour starting in March. The tour will include concerts along the east and west Coast.

Martin was flattered Saturday after she was informed she was chosen as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by "Paper Magazine."

She took some time Monday in Malibu for a photo shoot for her new album "On Your Shore," due out in June.

Martin said she has dreams of writing music for films.

"I'm a huge movie junkie," she said.

Also, she would like to travel to other countries and make "world music," she said.

Martin said Peter Gabriel, who incorporated world music, influenced her new album.

She said she would even like to get into modern art.

"I don't really know what that means exactly," she said. "But I want to do it."

Martin, who currently resides in Los Angeles, first moved from Charleston to New York. She quickly decided the Big Apple was too much for her and moved to Los Angeles. She has been there for the past four years.

Martin said at first she had a hard time making friends after she moved miles away from her family and friends.

Now, she said, her pet turtles and Chihuahua, her girlfriends and her boyfriend of two years keep her plenty of company.

Martin stressed an important issue for aspiring students who want to "make it big" someday:

"Don't be after the star part," Martin said, "be after the work part.

"You'll be much happier because everything else fades. It's all about doing what you love. If you are doing what you love, you are truly blessed."

Martin's appearance will air at 8 p.m. Sunday on NBC.