Her smash hit single is called “Call Me Maybe,” but even Carly Rae Jepsen’s parents have trouble actually getting her on the phone these days.
Since the Mission-raised singer-songwriter was signed by Justin Bieber’s Schoolboy Records label a few weeks ago, she has been zig-zagging across the continent on a non-stop publicity tour.
This week, she heads to L.A. for a taping of the Ellen show that will air on Friday, where she’ll get to share the stage with Julia Roberts. With her publicist drowning in thousands of emails from the likes of the New York Times and Rolling Stone, the 26-year-old’s parents weren’t surprised how tough it is to get a minute to speak with her.
“Join the club, because we’re in the same boat right now,” laughed her mom, Alexandra Lanzarotta, reached by phone Monday afternoon at her home in Maple Ridge.
“At this moment if we can get a word in with her we’re doing well,” chimed in her husband Ron Lanzarotta, Jepsen’s step-father.
Growing up in Mission, they said Jepsen was a dedicated student, a gifted athlete and an outgoing girl who preferred to keep a small, close group of friends. But her passion was always performing.
“As long as I’ve known her, right from when she was three years old, she’s always pulled to music and she’s always loved to be able to sing for people, or to put on a play or to be in a talent show,” said Ron.
“She used to love choreographing. She’d take a song a dance to it, it was just kind of in her.”
They said it’s been “surreal” to see their daughter’s song hit No. 1 on Much Music and crack the U.S. Top 40.
“The highlight is just really seeing some her hard work paying off, and when you see that with anybody, it’s just such a nice thing,” said Alexandra.
“She’s really truly worked on this, so when you get the call saying ‘I’m going to be on the Ellen show,’ or ‘I’m going to Justin Bieber’s birthday party’… you can just kind of go, ‘Wow, it’s really happening for her!.”
The Lanzarottas said they will be watching Jepsen’s appearance on Ellen at home later this week — and afterward, they’ll definitely call her.
Carly Rae Jepsen –
“Call Me Maybe”
Carly Rae Jepsen – “Tug of War”
Carly Rae Jepsen – “Sour Candy ft. Josh Ramsay”
Carly Rae Jepsen – “Bucket”
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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