Happy New Year and welcome to President Obama’s Era!!! YES WE CAN!! With that being said I started the year off surreal. One of my goals was to perform in an Arena. I had that opportunity this month with Boyz ll Men who are nominated again for a 2009 Grammy (wow) at Star of the Desert Arena.

Shawn, Wanya, Malina, and Nate (Boyz II Men) backstage. (photo: Mary Grace McKernan)

It’s crazy when you see a venue before anyone is there–it’s HUGE! You wonder if anyone is going to show up and when the people start to fill it in, it’s magical (even though everyone seems so far away). I’ll admit I was a little sick earlier that day, but man was it worth it.

Malina in the spotlight with the audience. (photo: Mary Grace McKernan)

My family came out and supported me in every way possible. I could of lived on that stage forever. The show went so fast. I was very excited and had a blast!!! The green room was great and all the while I kept thinking of all the entertainers who were in this actual space/stage at one point in their career (Star of the Desert Arena, Primm Valley). I cant wait to do it again.

On stage for over 7,500 friends (photo: Mary Grace McKernan)

The fans! (photo: Mary Grace McKernan)

After the show, Planet Hollywood Vegas hosted a dinner for The Malina Moye team followed by Mandalay Bay’s Minus 5 which is the coolest lounge in the US. The first of its kind being kept at a frozen temperature–but all the while in the hot Vegas desert. My entire entourage was treated to a VIP Minus 5 experience with Russian fur hats, coats, drinks in glasses made entirely out of ice, you name it. The thing is, your in the desert and can only stay in the freezing lounge for 30 min and have 2-3 drinks before you start to feel frozen. Picture this, there are ice sculptures, drinking glasses, benches, everything you can think of which is made out of some fantastic water flown in and frozen for your lovely experience. Hope you dig a few of the pictures shot by the very talented pro photog Mary Grace McKernan (we call her ‘Eagle Eye’) who is following my tour this Spring for the 2010 Malina Moye calendar extravaganza!

I feel like the little engine that could, and very blessed for such an opportunity. Thank you God and Boyz ll Men for the opportunity. BTW, we were having trouble getting the MM logo up but our WCE tech made it happen. Can you believe it my branding has begun! Yay!!!
~me