The stunning Karen David is on a neverending magic carpet ride to stardom, as a established singer and actress she has certainly made her name known in the industry. Having already starred in theatre and Hollywood productions it is certain that she is set for further success and her debut single ‘Magic Carpet Ride' had her flying high in the music scene. It doesnt stop there, she has recently starred in the hit Hollywood winter film ‘Couples Retreat' and is currently working on exciting new projects for her music career.From Hollywood to Bollywood... Karen certainly has it all! So I catch up with her to find out more about the secrets to her success....    


1. As an established actress and singer, tell us how it all began?

KD: It all began when I was 4 years old. My older sis was in charge of everything...the music I listened to, the tv programmes I watched...and so one day, she showed me Xanadu, with Olivia Newton John, and that was it. I was hooked. I had to be just like her. I had to sing like her and I had to act in movies like her. That pretty much explains why I am an actress and a singer-songwriter.    



2. How has your cultural background and upbringing influenced your music?  

KD: It's always been really important to me for my music to represent an extension of myself, of who I am as an artist, and as a human being. I celebrate my mixed heritage and I wanted to find a way of authentically blending some of the influences of my Chinese and Indian heritage and with some cracking mainstream influences. I call it “exotic pop”, and that is Karen David music in a nut shell.  



3. Tell us about your breakthrough into Hollywood! How did you land the role in the Scorpion King: Rise of the Warrior?  

KD: I was busy filming Sky 1's Terry Pratchett adaptation of “The Colour of Magic”, when I received a call from my agent, telling me about Scorpion King and that the casting people wanted to see me. I absolutely love The Mummy and the first Scorpion King flick with The Rock, so I was really excited. I read the script and just knew that Layla, and I were a perfect fit. It was so wonderful to have landed the part. I feel very blessed for the opportunity and being able to play a lead part in a Hollywood film, was definitely a career highlight.    



4. Having acted in theatre, do you feel that there are particular skills you picked up from it that have helped you in your music career, performance or vocal wise?  

KD: Theatre is live...and you're in the moment where anything is possible, and anything can happen. You really have to be on top of your game and keep your wits about yourself. I always try and fit in bit of theatre in between making tv and films. It's like going to the gym, it keeps you in good form acting wise. And it's definitely helped me to be a better performer and interpreter when I am singing.  



5. If you had to decide on acting or making music, which would it be?  

KD: I will never give up one for the other. They feed each other and feed me creatively. I think it's more of a good juggling challenge to have. When I am not on a film or tv set, I am in the studio, recording and producing new music, or gigging – so both careers keep me very busy!  



6. Your single ‘Magic Carpet Ride' was a funky and original sound, a fresh take on Asha Bhosle's ‘Dum Maro Dum'. What inspired you to do your own version?

KD: I am a huge fan of Asha Bhosle, and when I saw her perform “Dum Maro Dum” with the Kronas Quartet at the Barbican, I was so inspired, that I pitched the idea of taking some of the influences from the song , to Garry and Andrew of Bombay Dub Orchestra, and voila! In comes “Magic Carpet Ride”.  It was a perfect blend of my “exotic pop” sound. I was very happy with the end results and so happy that my fans are enjoying the track too! What a lovely bonus!  



7. Was the video fun to shoot?  

KD: It was a crazy 2 days but we all came together and worked as a team and had so much fun. Everyone who was a part of it, wanted to be a part of it, and that made all the difference. There was so much good energy. Long hours but well worth it!  



8. How would you define your style of music?

 KD: Exotic pop.  East meets West with a bit of  quirkiness thrown into it.  



9. What can we expect from your album?  

KD:  Expect thought provoking, feel good exotic and quirky music, which will (hopefully) inspire fans to celebrate themselves, love themselves, and strut about town each and every day!  



10. Who would be your dream collaboration?  

KD: There are so many artists and producers I would love to work with. My wish list at the moment: The Engine Earz, Francis Eg White, Timbaland and Mark Ronson would be cool. I already am working with some of my wish list peeps: Paul Barry and the gang at Metrophonic, and RDB...so watch this space!  



11. You've worked closely with A.R Rahman, how did the two of you meet?  

KD: A R Rahman discovered me! Lol ;) I was in the original cast of Mamma Mia!, and he was looking for a new muse to work with and develop Bombay Dreams, so the casting director mentioned my name to Rahman and he insisted on coming to see me perform one night when he was in town, and the rest is history. We have 3 tracks for my upcoming album tracks, which I'm really excited about.                                                       



12. What are your thoughts on the UK Asian Music scene? Is there a similar buzz in Canada?

 KD: I think the UK Asian music scenes just keeps getting bigger and better, and more influential globally – and it's exciting to see the positive domino effect it's having across the pond. We are seeing more and more talented desi's on the world map! Exciting times. It's good to be brown! Lol ;)  



13. Your latest flick is a cameo role in the romantic comedy ‘couple's retreat' what was it like working on the film?  

KD: It was like a paid vacation. 3 weeks in Bora Bora, living in a bling hut, trapped on a beautiful island with the likes of Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Batemand, Kristen Davis, and Kristen Bell...yep, life was really tough. Lol I had so much fun acting with them, it wasn't work at all. Another amazing experience to add to the memories of this journey I'm on.  



14. Can you fill us in on any exclusive Hollywood gossip from an insider's point of view?!  

KD: hahaha. Oh I am not into the goss.....it can get you into trouble! Lol  



15. So what have you got in the pipeline for us? Anything exciting coming up in the near future?  

KD: I am prepping my next single, “Hypnotize” which I collaborated with 2 brilliant Birmingham lads, Kully G and Gussy G. We're aiming for a release in the new year, and I've just started filming in Manchester, on the new BBC1 series coming out next year, “Waterloo Road”. I am the new teacher, Francesca Montoya. Yep, I'm playing a Spanish girl! Lol So I am learning Spanish now! I am so excited to be part of this very popular prime time drama. I can't believe how many fans there are! Nearly 400,000 on Facebook alone. I love my character, the next series is action packed and will definitely not let the fans down! I also have a couple of films I'm attached to, so I'll be making more announcements soon!