(May 1, 2001) — Imagine you are an entertainer, continually honing your craft in anticipation for your big break into the industry. Now imagine going on a routine audition and coming out with a polished look, a hit song and instantaneous fame. For the five multitalented girls of Eden’s Crush, the chance at success came suddenly, but they weren’t unprepared. Last summer, after hearing about auditions for a position in an all-girl pop group, women across the country flocked by the thousands to show off their talent and determination and to prove they had what it takes to be a “popstar.” After several weeks of grueling elimination processes, the judges narrowed down the finalists to ten. When two of the finalists dropped out, a new set of auditions was necessary, from which one girl was chosen to add to the four from the original lineup. From the day Ana Maria Lombo, Rosanna Tavarez, Ivette Sosa, Nicole Scherzinger and Maile Misajon were told they were the final five, the whirlwind of superstardom began; and on top of that, it was all being documented on film. The WB hit reality series “Popstars” depicted the joys and struggles of a fairy-tale career. Within thirteen episodes, they recorded a single, filmed a music video, met with press and completed an album—all in a time span of two months. Now, after the season finale of the show, the group and its creators, which include 14-time Grammy winning music mogul David Foster, can boast of a #1 single, a highly anticipated album and an accomplished fan base. Each of the members of Eden’s Crush, entertainers since they were little, was flown to Los Angeles to share a house while rehearsing for promotional appearances, going to photo shoots and recording songs for their debut album, appropriately entitled “Popstars,” due in stores today. With a Dream Team of the music industry’s most talented producers and writers and renowned choreographer Travis Payne (who has worked with such artists as Michael Jackson and Madonna), Eden’s Crush made their debut concert performance at Hollywood’s Palace theatre in March. Spanning an audience of 12 to 34 year-olds, they realize the value of the opportunity they were given. Says Scherzinger, “It’s the chance of a lifetime. So many people would love to have this chance. So many people work so hard all their lives and never get a break like this.” The girls differentiate themselves from other pop acts as much as they can, starting with their ethnic diversity. Two fifths Hawaiian and three-fifths Latina, their backgrounds reflect in their music. The first single, “Get Over Yourself”—proclaimed the highest-selling single by a debut band, according to Soundscan—includes a Spanish version of the song, along with the half-Spanish, half-English track on “Popstars” called “One Thousand Words (Mil Palabras).” Despite comments about the group being “manufactured,” the girls remain confident in their craft. Says Sosa, “You may not agree with how we were put together or the music we sing. But you can’t live your life according to what other people say.”