When the producers of the show announced that we were going to be shooting an episode called "Girl Power" it was very clear to me that I was in a circle of some good hearted folks. With the exception of one sweet, strong and courageous woman, the producers of our show are all males. I truly admire and appreciate ALL of the producers of our show; they are SO behind us as dancers and treat us with nothing but dignity and respect. I felt humbled and appreciated that they would dedicate a show to women around the world from the everyday person, to music artists and dancers by creating a show theme titled "Girl Power".

On one end the theme of that particular episode took me back to my childhood. My parents enrolled me in dance classes to keep me active and out of trouble after school. But I think my mother kept me in dance to keep me "girly". I was a tomboy who loved playing street football with my uncles, have pillow fights, and slide down the snow-filled streets on trash can tops. I even wanted to join my uncles' football team but my mother forbad me, so they crowned me homecoming queen instead. I was always outgoing and could easily get along with people because I was a jokester. But underneath, I was dealing with self esteem issues and dislikes about my body type. Mainly because I was so active I developed very late and was always skinny with long legs no matter how much I ate, and was teased about it a lot.

Get this, I used to wear long-johns pants underneath my jeans to help fill out my shape...it didn't work…LOL. The "Girl Power" episode reminded me of when I finally realized and began to appreciate that GOD blessed me with not only a talent for dance but also with a beautiful instrument (my body type. At this point in my life the "Girl Power" theme means sooo much more to me. Just the blessing of booking this show as a dancer with all of the audition processes that my fellow Honey Bees let you in on humbles me.

I knew in the audition that our producers REALLY knew what they were looking for out of the dancers, and it sure wasn't bimbos in short dresses with pretty faces. I'm sure the other girls can say that when we go on other auditions other dancers tell us how lucky we are to have booked the show. This theme also made me feel liberated and free as a dancer because I was able to express myself as a woman, physically through my dancing and emotionally. That 80's show was also a blast for all of us!!

Most of all I felt the "Girl Power" episode gave me an opportunity to become a role model to women and young girls around the world. To young girls who feel that they have to let go of their dreams because of setbacks or bad decisions that they have made in their lives…they don’t. To the women who feel that there is no life after having children…there is. Childbearing is a gift from GOD and it should never be a step back but motivation to continue moving forward. To any woman or young girls who are fearful of trying something new or taking a chance because of the unknown…challenge yourself. So because of this "Girl Power" show I became a role model in the eyes of people around the world who can appreciate what not only women, but dancers can bring to entertainment. Especially for my daughter, who is a dancer "in training" (Ferly is her flamenco teacher). So when I look into her eyes and see that she's proud of me I know that I am doing my job as a woman and first and foremost as a mother.

I know it may seem like I've been rambling on and on but this was my chance to express myself. I am so humbled and blessed by this Singing Bee experience; I am surrounded by very talented dancers and we all feed off and compliment each other. We are each different and embrace those differences as we continue to learn from each other.

I would like to see us fine tune ourselves even more with these upcoming episodes!!! I know the first go-round was challenging but we were trained with tough spines ready for anything at anytime. That's one of the qualities the producers and Scott saw in us, so let’s make it happen. I thank all of our producers, the NBC network, our choreographer, Ray Chew and the band/singers and to everyone who makes The Singing Bee the best family variety show of the summer..

Most of all I thank GOD... It has and continues to be an adventure and I am truly blessed because not everyone can say they have taken the journey...

Xoxo - Monique