It used to be seen as a rite of passage for young Australians to embark on a journey to the other side of the world to extend their careers, find fame and fortune or just see how the rest of the world lives.
For Noosa’s Amber Bollard it seemed the best way to pursue a singing career which had begun in Australia with the playing and recording of her original songs, performing in bands and entering talent shows.
“I was 22 and I just wanted to be a famous singer,” she said.
Almost two decades on she has etched out a life in California rubbing shoulders with A-list celebrities while keeping alive her singing ambitions. Her advice to others though is to do their homework before making the move overseas.
In 1991 with about $500 in her pocket Amber headed to England and found herself working in a pub near Windsor that was owned by a friend’s mother. With stars in her eyes and friends in South Carolina she headed on to the USA, got a job as a live-in nanny then ended up in Atlanta Georgia.
Soon after arriving she was signed to a music contract with a prestigious recording label. Ultimately, as with many contracts, as she now knows, it didn’t quite work out the way she was told it would and she didn’t get to do any recording.
Rather than risk a hefty fine she waited seven long years until the contract expired before she could focus again on her singing career.
She moved to Los Angeles where things brightened up for her.
Discovered on Venice Beach she was selected to appear on the television show Blind Date.
“Being Australian they just liked my personality,” she said. Other television appearances followed including on American Idol before she tried her hand at radio.
“I approached a local radio station (the American Radio Network) that interviewed a lot of Hollywood celebrities,” she said.
“I hosted a show. They loved my accent and asked would I like to co-host the show once a week.”
She taught herself the ropes of publicity then began getting people to come on the show known as The Jeffrey Henderson Show.
Having established a reputation for her red carpet and entertainment interviews Amber has covered movie premieres and entertainment events all over Hollywood.
Amber has interviewed some of the biggest name stars in the business including Heath Ledger, Jennifer Aniston, Carmen Electra, Christian Bale, Keanu Reeves, Mariah Carey and Matt Damon.
“You go and watch the movie and then you review it,” she said.
“A lot of the interviews were at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverley Hills.
Amber joined other interviewers from television, radio and online sites to speak with directors, producers and actors.
“I asked them about their ideas, how they got into character,” she said.
“We were meeting people you’ve watched all your lives on television.”
Despite their fame she found out most, though not all, were “just regular people”. “Keanu Reeves is just like the guy next door,” she said. And Mariah Carey was one of her favourites. She even dedicated one of her songs to Amber during a performance.
In 2012 Amber set up her own public relations firm 27PR Media profiling established entertainers as well as up and coming talents. She has used her position to help other performers who are trying to break into the industry, writing articles for actors, musicians, filmmakers, technicians and others in the entertainment field.
Amber’s singing ambitions have never left her and since moving to LA she has continued to sing, mainly, with a band called The Vibes, in some cabaret and on the radio.
She describes her style as adult contemporary pop R&B.
“I’m more the old school from the 80s and 90s,” she said. And recently the opportunity has presented itself to work with a producer who was instrumental in launching the careers of iconic performers Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and George Michael.
Speaking this week from Noosa where she was visiting family Amber cautioned others to do their homework before going to LA for a career in entertainment. She suggests they be careful who they trust, who they let into their lives after having first hand experience of the problems foreigners can face in another country. One former flatmate became a nightmare for Amber when they developed an obsession with her, hacking her emails and stalking her, which ended up in a nasty court case.”
“A lot of people can take advantage of you,” she said. “It made me paranoid about the internet. It’s taken a lot of years and courage to not give up.”
The unfortunate experience was mentally draining, however in an interesting twist it enabled her to stay and work in the US.Considered a victim of crime perpetrated by an American citizen Amber was awarded a visa and was able to apply for a green card which she received.
Amber believes after going through bad experiences but having helped others along the way should have won her some good karma.
She said her time in overseas had presented her with wonderful opportunities but also tough times.
“I did it the hard way because I wasn’t prepared,” she said.
Amber is proud she has remained the same Aussie girl.
She said in the entertainment industry there was often requests to change certain things.
“They say you need to cover up these lines, you need to have breast implants,” she said. “They’re blatant.
“When I first go there in my twenties I felt intimidated by the whole thing.
“Women are different sizes and ages. It shouldn’t matter.”
Amber wants people to know that there are other ways to do things without losing who you are, along the way. “If you stay true to yourself and stand up for your rights, then people will respect you more in the end for being yourself,” she said.
“You can’t forget where you come from, you are part of where you come from.”
