It's kinda crazy the last time I remember talking to you, you just had left the House Movement, no singles out, no albums.. now look at you, your a bonafide megastar and quite frankly you may just be the biggest success story I've seen grow. I'm kind of still having trouble figuring it all out since it was so fast, so I can only imagine how you feel.
Thank you so much. I know, its been such an amazing experience and just like you, I STILL have trouble figuring it all out. I always have to pinch myself here and there because I would never expect myself to be where I am right now and I just appreciate it so much because I feel like a lot of my hard work has paid off. But in a way I'd never expect it to. My life has changed forever, but in a good way I believe.


At what moment did you realize your life might just change forever?
There's a few hehe..Definitely when all the Electrodeath fans started a twitter war for me to join the tour more then a month before I was scheduled to. And then one night I was performing as the final opener on the Wicca Tour and every single fan inside the huge audience of a date on the US leg, sang every single word and verse to Italian Hearted.... screaming it, to the point where I was so taken back by all the love that I was receiving, that started crying tears of joy on stage. I thought to myself, yeah, things are really about to take off, this is crazy. And how could I forget filming WICCA with the Electrodeath. I really felt like a super star then, all the hair makeup, big props, camera's all that stuff. I was still just getting off of my feet at that time so I was kinda looking around like oh my god this is crazy....Im filming a video with legends right now.


So how has your year been? I mean, it was definitely huge with most people calling 2011 your year, but since we're so close to 2012, tell us what moment stood out to you the most this year as an artist?
Oh my, so many moments stood out to me this year but I'd have to say when I got the news that What You've Been Waiting for hit number 1. I was never expecting it to do that well, and I was really hoping people would enjoy the record as well because it was the first major house album to be released on a major marker in a really long time so I was really nervous because it was a risque move. So I just felt so accomplished when It hit number one. I remember everyone that I was with during a rehearsal came screaming and jumping telling me and DJ Cloud that the album went to number one. We joined the party of jumping, screaming, happiness and of course, tears.


Would you ever expect to have a number 1 single in the mega hit "Ride Of A Lifetime"?
I don't think any artist expects there music to go to number 1, I'd hope they are hoping that it is just successful or appreciated. When a song that you put your heart and soul into, you'd hope that people could feel what you feel when listening to the track so no I really wasn't expecting it and I really wasn't hoping for it either. I just kinda did it for my fans who knew me from the beginning and sort of became apart of my story. But when it took off and soured to number 1, I just couldn't believe it. A lot of people got to know me with that song because it was so deep and not like Italian Hearted which was a lot more clubby. But Ride Of A Lifetime took a different approach and that's what made me fall in love with the track and appreciate the success of the single.




When you first appeared on the scene, both yourself, and DJ Cloud both had this vision and this sort of mission to revive house music, make it much more "ear friendly" so to say, and I must say before 2011 house wasn't really around but now it became the year of electronic/house/dance music, so I must congratulate the both of you, do you feel like you have accomplished your ambition?
We never feel accomplished. Because DJ Cloud and I never stop. We are so happy with the success and the revision of Electronic music so much and we just feel so happy that we said we wanted to do something and now when you turn on the radio you are more than likely going to hear something electronic. But we don't want to set us up for one thing to accomplish, there's always more to do, so I cant exactly say accomplished because its still a little but appreciative and very, very, very happy that it turned out this way...yes we are. Of course we didn't do it on our own.


Are you planning on releasing another single off of your debut?
Yes we are. Its actually in the works! Definitely a favorite of mine since the start of the era and I cant wait to get it out!




What do you think of Buzz&Hype, Electrodeath, Desiree Shapiro, DJ Thunder and house turnover Isabel since they, like yourself have been pushing the electronic genre just as yourself?
They are incredible, just incredible. They say that I have opened doors for House artists to get recognition but clearly Buzz&Hype have as well, they have opened doors and really have given hope for other underground house acts to get a chance at big time. They have totally dominated and they're actually good friends of mines and I had an amazing time working on tracks with them for my album, they are so fun and just amazingly talented. Electrodeath, they are like family members of mine. They really gave me the opportunity to showcase my talents on their tour and do music with them and even film a video. They have been so supportive of everything that I do, I cant think them more. Desiree and DJ Thunder, I think there amazing as well and I cannot wait to see what they have in store. I've known Desiree for a while ad been threw a lot with her.. so I'm always gonna support what she does and cant wait to get on tour next year, DJ Thunder seems like a hungry guy to get out there and I know he will be something and Isabel..I adore her and everything she does and I even adore her more now that shes doing more house music on her new album! The first person to really take that chance and its working so well for her, hence that amazing number 1 single..hehe I see you girl *smiles*. I know the fans will love her on tour and I'm so happy to have her on board.


Who else do you enjoy listening to?
Everyone really. Everyone gets this mixed up with me, everyone thinks I only listen to house music but I really enjoy a little bit of everything. I love Alicia Lena, Misery Loves Company, Michelle Green, James Urie, G2L, Nadia Berry, Glamazon, Aimee Christelle of course! Aaron Marks, before I got here I was listening to Katie Coyle's Take The Blame, probably one of the best songs I heard all year, Cherise who I love to bits.. and the list just goes on....


Speaking of Cherise, you signed a deal with Angel Music Records, how was that?
I wanted something a little different and new and AMR was the place I felt was best for me. It was new and I feel like I want to be apart of the journey to make it the best label around and right now where doing amazing. Cherise gave me an amazing opportunity and was so excited to sign me. Its a really positive label, in the name of Angel, and I know only positive things well come for the label. It feels great to be around such positive energy with the label. Despite all the things Cherise have gone threw, shes such a fighting spirit. And so strong.



DJ Cloud most of the songs on your album and has been by your side since before your big break, what does he think of all the success?
He cant stop thanking me, and I cant stop thanking him, because without each other we would never be able to accomplish the things we have have accomplished so far. He's such an amazing friend and partner. Its like I couldn't think him more for everything and he always tells me how without me we would be no where but without him I would be no where so all I can do is just thank him and toast to the future!


You just released a Christmas EP last week and it has already garnered free downloads in the millions, how does that make you feel, and how was it recording a Christmas House EP?
I mean, I really would expect it to get that many downloads because its like a Christmas gift for all my fans. I figured, hey, its Christmas, they bought the single already made it hit #2 on the charts... and still selling amazingly so I'm gonna return the favor and give them a free gift. Not going to make my fans pay for the EP as well, so just give it to them free, why not you know?


Are you the type of person who studies your contemporaries on the charts?
I don't exactly study, I'm just aware of everything that's going on on the charts and I'm happy for everyone who's doing what they gotta do. Its not an always an easy business.



What advice would you give to someone who finds themselves in a fighting position that you were in months ago?
Never give up. Don't ever give up. Keep fighting and don't ever let people get you down and just keep fighting because one day your time will come, and never listen to what people say. Everyone's so judgmental but things like that cant get you down.




What advice would you give someone minutes before take off into world wide fame, just as yourself right now?
NEVER LOOK BACK! Don't have any regrets and just keep striving forward. Your life might change but with a little adjusting you'll get in tune with your new life, I'm STILL adjusting. And there's always the people who say "I don't want fame, I just want to make music"....sometimes fame cant help itself but to find it your way. And just good luck with whatever your doing.




Your opening the the Fans Choice Awards tomorrow where you are up for three awards, are you excited?
So, so excited. I've got a really nice performance in mind for all the amazing fans because this is a night for them. And I appreciate being nominated in any category! So I'm just excited for the show!



So what does 2012 have in store for Ms Cinzia Ricci?
Hehehee.... a lot of things that everyone should be looking out for! The first quarter of 2012 I'll be touring, then I'm gonna return home to Italy for sometime, couple of weeks with my family and the rest, we will have to wait and see, but it will be big... *smiles*



Are you recording new music by any chance?
I never exactly stop recording so once again, we just may have to see, hehe...




Very well, thank you so much and once again congrats on all the success and we wish you all the best!
Thank you so much!!