Who's next? Everyone's favorite elephant singer who used to have stage fright! Think she'll be brave to come onstage?
Chapter 7: Meena
Audience: (cheering)
Animation Universe 2005: Out next guest from Sing used to have a form of stage fright when standing on stage, but when she sings, she's unstoppable! And in the movie, she brought down the house with her knockout performance...literally! She didn't just sing...she SANG! On that note, please welcome Meena!
Audience: (cheering as Meena walks in, greeted by fans, taking selfies with them and signing autographs as the DJ plays 'Fight Song' from Rachel Platten)
Animation Universe 2005: Welcome! Nice to see you!
Meena: Nice to see you too! Oh my gosh!
Animation Universe 2005: Great to have you here.
Meena: (sits down and waves at the crowd)
Animation Universe 2005: I'm guessing the stage fright has disappeared.
Meena: Well...I'll be honest. I was a little terrified about coming over here because there's so many people out there that I worry that I might trip or mess up.
Animation Universe 2005: We've all been there. Sometimes you just gotta face it head first before you hold yourself back.
Meena: (chuckles) Yeah, that's true.
Animation Universe 2005: So how you been?
Meena: I'm doing great! You?
Animation Universe 2005: Awesome now that you're here.
Meena: (giggles)
Animation Universe 2005: How's life since Sing came out? I bet you've been busy on Christmas.
Meena: Just going to premieres all over the world and we've been promoting, doing photo sessions and there's loads of posters everywhere I turn; on the bus, billboards, even on flags. It's like we're being seen by many people all over. It's a lot overwhelming, but it's a good feeling compared to my stage fright.
Animation Universe 2005: Which leads to this question; do you still have stage fright or have you conquered it?
Meena: I still have it sometimes, but not often as I used to. Mr. Moon has always encouraged me to just get out there and sing and that I can't let fear stop me from doing the things I love. I'm still trying to get used to it, but I love to sing a lot.
Animation Universe 2005: We could tell from the moment you hit that note that you nearly brought down the house...like for real for real.
Meena: I had no idea that that really happened. I was just singing my heart out and then...some of the wood structures came down behind me.
Animation Universe 2005: But you kept singing anyway and the crowd ate it up!
Meena: (chuckles) Everyone's still talking about that scene after that.
Animation Universe 2005:And they loved it! Have you attended any awards show for the movie?
Meena: Yeah, the Golden Globes and the People's Choice Awards. It was me, Buster, Mike, Ash, Gunter and Johnny coming to the Golden Globes and then me, Johnny, Ash and Buster for the People's Choice Awards. I got to see what it's like being in one of those amazing award shows for the first time and it's really big and so spectacular.
Animation Universe 2005: Have you attended any afterparties for either ceremony?
Meena: Not really. Me, Ash and Johnny had afterparties of our own; mostly just sleepovers and pizza parties. And it ends up with cake.
Animation Universe 2005: Which I'm actually surprised. You really bake?
Meena: Yeah. I bake cakes, cookies, pies and things like that for my mom and my grandparents.
Animation Universe 2005: That's sweet. And it was basically your grandpa that made you want to get on the talent show.
Meena: (chuckles softly) Yes. He wanted me to tackle my fear head-on, even if it was a little forcefully...but after I sang in front of everyone, I could understand what that meant.
Animation Universe 2005: How is he doing, by the way.
Meena: He's doing quite well. Thank you for asking.
Animation Universe 2005: No probs. Now, as I understand in the movie, you and Mike didn't get off to a good start.
Meena: Yeah, we didn't. At first, he was kinda rude and terrible to me, thinking that I don't have talent...but once I got on the stage and sang, Mike really came to become a good friend, though he still has the same attitude. It just wasn't directly towards me as it used to.
Animation Universe 2005: You guys cool now?
Meena: We're very cool. In fact, afte rthe talent show, we managed to take a selfie together.
Animation Universe 2005: Cool. We have that picture? Oh, okay.
(Plasma TV showing Meena and Mike posing for a selfie, all smiles)
Animation Universe 2005: Now that's a huge turnaround. Out of everyone at the Moon Theater, who do you like getting along with the most?
Meena: Hmmm...hard to say. But who I get along with the most...can I pick two?
Animation Universe 2005: You can pick more if you want.
Meena: I get along with Rosita really well because she's like my second mom, Gunter because he's always so nice and pleasant, Ash because she is like my sister and we could always talk about boys and things like that and then Johnny, because we have soulful voices and we'd always talk about everything. He's also very encouraging towards me when I feel a little uncertain about certain things, but he would always be at my side if I ever need to talk to him.
Animation Universe 2005: He sounds like a cool person to be around.
Meena: He is.
Animation Universe 2005: So...how was your Christmas? Must've been busy traveling around the world to promote the movie.
Meena: Well...we had Christmas break, so I spent it with my family and then had a sleepover with Ash and Johnny and we've had so much fun; just watching movies, eating Christmas sweets and staying up until 4:00 in the morning. Just three normal kids just having fun before going forward with the press tour and at Moon Theater.
Animation Universe 2005: Speaking of the Moon Theater, what's the atmosphere like?
Meena: It's the best place to come by to get away from life and just express myself through doing what I love. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.
Animation Universe 2005: And what's your new years resolution for 2017?
Meena: That's a hard thought...but I guess just keep doing what I love and keep going with what Mr. Moon told me; never let fear stop me from doing the thing I love. That really stuck with me and it helped me gain confidence in myself.
Animation Universe 2005: You're an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Meena.
Meena: Thank you for having me here.
Animation Universe 2005: Meena, ladies and gentlemen!
Audience: (cheering as Meena waves to the crowd and leaves the stage as the DJ plays 'Scars to Your Beautiful' from Alessia Cara)
Animation Universe 2005: Well...we've covered seven cast members of Sing so far...we've got Buster, Eddie, Mike, Rosita, Gunter, Ash and Meena. (chuckles softly) And I know we've got one left and trust me...I've saved the best for last. You guys probably know who I'm bringing out next, right?
Audience: (cheering and screaming loudly)
Animation Universe 2005: Well...he's gonna come over soon, so just stick around!
Audience: (cheering loudly)
Seven down, one to go? Who can it be? All I can tell you is that you will go bananas! Stay tuned!
