DTLA LIFE MAG #21 | SEPTEMBER 2015 | Page 45

Melissa Mars is an international actress and singer-songwriter. She’s got noticed in the States after appearing, alongside John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, in « From Paris With Love » produced by Luc Besson (« Lucy », « Nikita »). Having her song “Beautiful” be included in Coca-Cola’s « 52 Songs of Happiness » worldwide campaign, and her award-winning performance in the horror comedy « The Cabining ». She is well-known in France for her pop music career: 3 albums released with Universal Music, and features among which « 1980 » reached number 5 on the charts. And for her leading role in the successful musical « Mozart the Rock Opera ». A smash hit with more than 1,500,000 tickets sold, directed by Olivier Dahan who helmed the Oscar-winning movie « Ma Vie en Rose ». Currently, you can see her in « 6 Ways To Die » alongside a star-studded cast: Vinnie Jones, Michael R. Walton, Vivica A. Fox, Bai Ling, Dominique Swain, Tom Sizemore… after the opening in theatres end of July, check out now the DVD and VOD – release Aug 28. Melissa Mars is also hosting a show on LA FRENCH RADIO for the French community based in California (200k people). She shares all of her favorite places, interviews people about California. From a filmmaker to a chef, restaurant owner or fashion designers, it airs every Monday. « LES SORTIES DE MELISSA MARS,» reruns every day and podcasts are available at www. lafrenchradio.com and an app is available on the App Store and Android Google Play. Melissa loves Downtown LA, and she wanted to share her love for it with you: “My first time I came to L.A was in 2011; I explored different areas, among them DTLA. All I heard at that time was that it was dangerous. But honestly I was staying close by the staple center, and I felt safe walking in the streets even by night. I like Downtown because it reminds me of New York. Towers, heights, street style, the graphic architecture, the lofts, the urban restaurants. The first time I got into it was when we shot the movie six ways to die, in one of the towers, I just felt the energy, the core, the heights of DTLA. I love Broadway! Again, a reminiscence of New York. My hidden pleasure is hanging out at the pool on some secret friend’s rooftops. If DTLA were a movie, François Truffaut would direct it. If it was a book, I can imagine it would be a DC comics, Batman leaving Gotham City for DTLA ;). If it were a perfume, it would be the perfume of mixed spices since I feel like DTLA is where all the cultures and social classes meet. IF it were a rhythm, a sound, music, a famous record, it would be the sound of cars, and working walking crowds. I want to share that I fell in love with The Globe Theatre, this concert venue and nightclub that just reopened. The soul, the decoration, the architecture that it carries makes me hope to perform my concert there one day. Ebanos Crossing, I hang out there when we catch up with Vannessa Vasquez, we were co-stars in a movie together, and now she’s starring the show East Los High. The place is lovely Black and red. The Latino music is good and makes you want to learn salsa or at least to move. The rooftop, the decoration of downtown Standard hotel are just amazing!!!!