SPENCER'S P.O.V
"What kind of time do you call this?"
When I walk into her change room, she smiles.
"Nikki I just organised you a six figure perfume deal"
Her smile just got a whole lot bigger.
"Six figures?"
"High six figures, very close to seven"
"Just for perfume?"
"Yep, just for perfume"
"What's the catch?"
"No catch"
"Wow..."
"Nik life's good when you're Nikki Hodge"
She's one of the biggest stars in the world right now.
"Life's good when you're Nikki Hodge and your manager's Spencer Carlin"
"Awww you're going to make me blush"
"NIKKI..."
They're banging on her door.
"YOU'RE UP"
"That's my call"
I met Nikki five years ago, she was gigging at run down bar in Los Angeles.
At the time I was still learning, I was new to everything.
But I had an obsession with the industry and a determination to be successful and it payed off.
'Til this day I'm still not really sure how I pulled it off, but I did.
Nikki listened to all my crazy ideas and she took a chance with me and for that I'll be forever grateful.
"Thank you Los Angeles"
She's walking towards me.
"Spence that was crazy"
When she gets to where I'm standing, I pass her a bottle of water.
"Thanks..."
"Nikki if that crowd's anything to go by, this tour's going to be incredible"
That crowd was nuts.
"I know, I couldn't hear myself sing..."
"Well you better fix those ears of yours 'cause you have three interviews to get through and then we have the tour party"
"Why do you always come bearing annoying news?"
"It's all part of the job baby"
When I ruffle her hair, she laughs.
"Alright what am I shamelessly plugging this time?"
"The tour, the revamped album and the new perfume deal..."
"What exactly is the new perfume deal?"
"You're releasing a perfume line exclusively with Macy's"
"Macy's loves Nikki"
That's hilarious and very true.
They're sponsoring the tour and now she's releasing her perfume line exclusively with them.
"Will your new bestie Ashley be at this tour party?"
She's smirking.
"She's meant to be"
She's meant to do a lot of things, but from what you hear, she doesn't do a lot of them.
"That's exciting for you..."
"Nikki I'm thrilled, I can barely contain my excitement"
I met Ashley for the first time at a press conference last month, it didn't go very well.
"Alright where are these interviews?"
"There's a press room set up down the hall"
My relationship with Nikki isn't your typical manager/client relationship.
We spent a lot of time together when she was first getting started and she quickly became one of my closest friends.
"Hi I'm Sarah Black from the Los Angeles Times..."
"Hey it's nice to meet you"
"You too"
When they sit down, I move so I'm standing to the side.
"That was a pretty crazy first show?"
"Yer it was... Los Angeles has always been really supportive of me and it's really great that they've all got behind such a great cause"
"It really is a great cause, how does a tour like this come about?"
"The national breast cancer foundation contacted my manager about a eight city tour to raise awareness and much needed funds for the fight against breast cancer"
Nikki's the ultimate professional.
She knows how to work the media and she's never in the tabloids for the wrong reasons.
"I've done a lot of work with the foundation in the past, so when they asked me if I wanted to be involved, I jumped at the opportunity"
She's smiling.
"It's just such a great tour and there's some really amazing artists involved..."
"How's touring with Ashley Davies going?"
I knew that question was coming.
"Ashley's been great, we've met a few times in the past and I've watched her perform at a number of events, so I'm excited, it should be a great tour..."
"She attracts a lot of negative publicity, do you think that will distract from what the tour's really trying to promote?"
This journalist is horrendous, she has Nikki Hodge sitting opposite her and she's asking questions about Ashley.
"Ashley's an incredibly talented musician and having her on this tour is a really positive thing... "
FLASHBACK
I've met a number of incredibly successful and powerful people over the years, I've worked with a number of incredibly successful and powerful people, but I've never met her, until now.
"Hi…"
"Save it"
Okay.
"I'm not interested"
"You're not interested?"
"That's what I said"
Wow.
"Unless you're offering what's under the suit?"
I've heard a lot about her, so I'm not really surprised.
Her reputation's flawed and that's putting it nicely.
"Just run along Blondie, there's no story here..."
"Ashley this was a spur of the moment decision"
I was curious.
"I guess you could say curiosity got the best of me"
She looks really confused.
"But you've just answered every question I had"
END FLASHBACK
In this industry you have to form your own opinion of people.
So when I saw her waiting outside the press room, I walked over.
I'm not sure what she thought I was up to or what she thought I was trying to achieve, but when I walked away, I could only think one thing.
Ashley Davies is a bitch.