Stardom gets closer

Nesa Kovacs has always dreamed of being a star in Hollywood.

The 14-year-old John Burroughs High School student began modeling at age 2 and dancing at 4.

She sings and writes her own music and even has her own cable radio show called, “We Keep it Real.”

Nesa is close to fulfilling her dream of stardom.

A few months ago, she entered into “Be a RED Star,” a nationwide contest for teens organized by American Online.

America Online’s teen portal, RED, asked teens from around the country to submit a videotape of their own, original Web show.

Nesa sent in a videotape of her radio show, “We Keep it Real” and was selected to be one of five semi-finalists.

Her show features a collection of skits, interviews with teens, poems and impersonations.

“I really didn’t have any expectations of winning,” Nesa said. “I kind of forgot about the tape when I flew out of town and when I came back I found out I was a top-five finalist.”

As a finalist, Nesa won $1,000 and a professional crew to re-shoot her original audition tape.

She resubmitted another tape to be considered for the grand prize.

If Nesa wins, she will win $10,000 and will have the opportunity to create five professionally shot episodes of her show, which will be featured on America Online’s RED teen portal.

“In two days, I had to redo the tape,” Nesa said. “It was kind of fun, being with people that I knew when I was filming.”

With a little help from her friends and mother, Nesa prepared her tape.

She bought costumes and props and went around Hollywood filming skits while portraying two characters she created.

“I play these characters, Mariah Hairy and Lucy Looselips,” Nesa said. “I sang to everyone in a huge blue wig. They were people I didn’t even know.”

Nesa doesn’t think she will save the money if she wins the grand prize.

Instead, she plans on spending it on herself.

“I would get a new car, new shoes, a new outfit,” Nesa said. “I could probably save it and put it in the bank, but I may go to the mall one day and spend it.”

But despite her talent and hard work, Nesa’s road to Hollywood hasn’t been easy.

Even Nesa’s mother has made sacrifices for her.

“Three years ago, we packed up and hopped on a plane,” said Linda Lipscomb, Nesa’s mother. “We strictly came for her dream and that was it.”

Lipscomb and her daughter left their native Georgia for California so Nesa can pursue her goal of being in the entertainment industry.

“I told her I’m not going to wait for an agent to call,” Lipscomb said. “You have to make a buzz in Hollywood.”

Lipscomb is also her daughter’s manager.

She spends her time doing research on the business of entertainment and has even taught her daughter to copyright her music.

“As a parent, I’m always on the juggling fence,” Lipscomb said. “Her being successful in this industry is important to her and that’s OK.”

Visitors to America Online RED (https://www.bearedstar.com) can view the finalists’ videos, including Nesa’s, on Oct. 23 and vote for their favorite.

The winner will be announced on Halloween.