Brooke Hogan
Pop music prowess pre-dates reality show superstardom

Review By Andy Argyrakis

Those who think they already know Brooke Hogan just because of her famous family and pair of reality TV show blockbusters “Hogan Knows Best” and “Brooke Knows Best” have probably only scratched the surface. Though those VH1 programs showcase ample parts of her personality, a second full-length CD called The Redemption (SoBe Entertainment) is a much more accurate reading of her personal diary. As the title suggests, it’s chock full of the journey since her brother Nick was charged with reckless driving that caused serious injury to a friend, followed by a divorce between her father/World Wrestling Entertainment legend Hulk and mother Linda (who’s currently dating a former schoolmate of her children). While the fractured family life, coupled with a constant stream of press coverage and paparazzi prowling would be enough to weaken most young women, the 21-year old entertainer seems to be taking the drama in stride and channeling that energy towards dance/pop pursuits. Here’s more from the singer turned reality series star about the new record, those shows and where she stands with each of her aforementioned relatives.  

How long have you been singing?

Hogan: It was my first love. A lot of people think I’m a reality star first and then got into singing, but I’ve been singing since I five-years-old. We took the show to help the singing [exposure] and people have ended up turning it around, but I’m like “hold on a second here.”

Who are your primary musical influences?

Hogan: It’s so funny because people think I’m in the generation of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, but that was really the generation before me. I was 12 or 13 when “Baby One More Time” came out and I was rocking my school girl skirt because I went to Catholic school. Britney is an awesome performer and I want my songs to be catchy, but mine have more grit and more feeling. I’m not in it to just be shallow, but I want to make people cry or laugh. My first record wasn’t as edgy and they said I had to be careful to hit the Disney audience, but I’m just not into that. That’s why I’m different than people like Britney and I actually kind of model myself more after Pink’s Missundaztood. I was listening to that going through lot with my family before people even knew me. I really admired her singing and that’s a real genuine record on top of being pop and fun. But it also has guts and souls.

What inspired you calling the record The Redemption?

Hogan: I’ve been through a lot, I know my brother’s been through his thing and my parents with their thing. To see my brother go through jail, not have my mom and not having the normal divorced family makes it ten times worse and it was really tough on me. But I’ve kept my mouth shut, didn’t really talk about it and now life is finally starting to look up. This is my redemption and God is finally redeeming me. My New Year’s resolution this year was just to be real and grow into my own skin even if I feel pissed off. If I did what I did on my last record and it failed, I couldn’t look in the mirror and say I was true to myself. But no matter how this one turns out- good or bad- at least I put my whole heart and soul into it.

Why did you decide to be so vulnerable on the disc?

Hogan: So many people after they heard “Dear Mom…” asked “are you really going to release that?” I thought “God, will this just singe this relationship?” but I can’t beat her in that area. Second, so many other people are going through [similar situations], and if I can help people like Pink’s record helped me, that’s what I want to do. Some people might say I’m using family drama to be more popular, but I’m just being real.

How do you deal with the constant glare of the media spotlight?

Hogan: It’s funny because some people wish it would stop and go away, but honestly if I was working a desk job, I’m sure I’d wish my boss would stop griping. Anybody’s job has a cross they have to bear, so there’s no need to get so offended. I tell people “it’s not that frickin serious and it’s not a big damn deal.” Just because someone takes pictures of you and you look fat, does that mean you have to go kill yourself? Move on and just eat the cheeseburger! I’ve never been the type who’s “woe is me.” I just deal with it and you have to keep moving on.

How do you strike a balance between the TV show and your music career?

Hogan: It’s hard, but the good thing is we finished filming, and while everyone was editing, I was able to work on the record. But it’s tough bouncing between the two. After filming, you’re so tired, because even though it’s real, you’re still working subconsciously to have energy and be funny. So you’re just so tired at the end of the three months and could literally sleep six months, but then you have to go straight into long nights at the [recording] studio.

How real is “Brooke Knows Best”?

Hogan: You can get the entire reality on camera, but then you have an editing bay where the networks need it to be 23 minutes long. Within that time, you have to explain the story and have a beginning, middle and end. So it’s reality, but sometimes they may have missed you saying something and you have to say it again. Other than that, it’s pretty true to form.

What are your touring plans?

Hogan: We’ll be in the States in clubs and a few arenas. A European tour will probably play bigger venues with probably a band and dancers. The club stuff and response is great. There are a lot of haters out there, but when they meet me and see me as a real person shaking hands, smiling and not being the bitch everybody thinks I might be, they start rooting me as an underdog. It turns haters around to semi-believers.

What type of family update can you give us?

Hogan: It’s funny because people want to know what’s going on. My brother’s not going to talk, neither are my parents. But I’m trying to promote the TV show and the record, so my face is out there and I’m an open vessel.

So what’s going on with Nick?

Hogan: He’s turning everything into a positive. We all wish we could go see [his friend from in the car accident], but with a civil suit, things get weird and I don’t understand why. But Nick is involved with promoting safe driving and wearing seatbelts to kids. He’s also working with a foundation on brain stem cell research and those are his main focuses. He’s done a great job staying out of limelight and he’s humble. He’s not strutting around and he’s being a really good boy.

What about the Hulk?

Hogan: He and his girlfriend Jennifer are great and they get along awesome.

Any chance he’ll ever return to the ring?

Hogan: I don’t think he’ll ever get rid of that bug. I think he’s a little kid and still wants to go out there. You can see it in his eyes and I’m sure he’s not done.

What was your upbringing like when he was at the top of WWE?

Hogan: People don’t realize how normal we were brought up. We learned to clean the toilet, cook, mop and had chores where we earned an allowance. We had to get jobs and pay for our own crap, so there I was at 18 on my own and broke, so I thought it was better to live at home. They were good parents and I remember my mom saying “quick kids, turn on the TV” and we’d turn on every TV in the house for ratings! But I remember the second blood started pouring out, I’d freak out, even though my dad would explain he was okay. At first he told me it was ketchup, but it was real blood and I found it terrifying, even though Nick thought it was awesome.

Any new developments with your mom these days?

Hogan: Well there’s no update. We’re still not talking, it’s still weird and she’s still dating Charlie. I believe she’s moving to L.A. with him and I full-blown don’t get it. We went to same school, but he was a grade below me.

Beyond everything relating to “Brooke Knows Best,” what are your lifelong goals in the entertainment industry?