She was born in Manila, Philippines and named Lani, which in the Hawaiian language means “heaven”. How could her parents have foreseen that this little girl would become an international star and eventually have her own show in Hawaii. Blessed with a voice that is heavenly, her name “Lani” says it all. A star was born!

Who is this beautiful woman with a five-octave vocal range? How did Lani Misalucha achieve award winning status as an entertainer and reach the high-level recognition of being an internationally-acclaimed Singer?

Lani’s parents (Benjamin G. Bayot and Esperanza S. Dimalanta) had five children (Osiris, Novier, May, Lani and Karlyn). Coming from a family that enjoyed music, Lani Bayot, spent her teen years in the Philippines singing in Church Choirs, including the Ellin Wood Youth Choir. It was at a youth conference involving the choir where Lani met her husband, Noli Misalucha. They courted for five years before marrying and have been happily married for twenty-six years. In addition to being Lani’s husband, Noli is also her Manager.

Lani looked forward to being a wife and a mother and although she loved to sing, she was not intent on a professional singing career. But her path took a different direction. Lani’s older sister sang professionally in a band and needed Lani’s assistance when she was not available to perform for an engagement. Lani filled in for her and caught the attention of people in the music industry. She began to receive requests for singing performances, recording jingles for radio and television commercials and recording demo vocals for multiplex tapes. Lani quickly learned how to copy the vocals of the original artists and sounded just like them on the demo recordings.

While gaining attention as a professional singer, Lani still made time for her family and had two daughters, Louven and Lian. Louven is now twenty years old and Lian is eighteen years old; both are attending school in the Las Vegas area, but will be visiting their parents in Hawaii whenever possible.

This was just the beginning for Lani Misalucha’s Award Winning international super-star career that would eventually bring her to Hawaii for her Special Engagement at The Magic of Polynesia Showroom at the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort on Tuesdays thru Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. During this interview, it was obvious that Lani is a warm and caring individual that is humble and sincere. Her love for her husband, daughters and family members is evident and her appreciation for people and life is constant. She shared her personal feelings on some topics.

1. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.
“I am a very shy person and always have been. Before I go on stage, I am very nervous and I get butterflies in my stomach - hoping that everything will go well. Once I start performing, then I am fine.”

SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT LANI:
Birthdate: August 3
Favorite Color: Yellow - because it is so bright
Passion in Life: Singing and to share her voice with as many people as possible

2. WHO ARE YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCES - IN MUSIC AND IN LIFE?
“In music, Barbara Streisand was an influence to me and in my life, my mother is my greatest influence - Esperanza Bayot.”

3. HAVE YOU HAD VOCAL TRAINING?
“I have never had a vocal coach. I taught myself how to sing at an early age and there was always singing in my home.”

4. IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT FOR A PHILIPPINE ARTIST TO SUCCEED IN THE AMERICAN MUSIC MARKET? HOW DID THIS TRANSITION HAPPEN FOR YOU?
“I recorded several CDs in the Philippines, including an album in 1999 under VIVA Records and in 2001 I had a solo concert at Araneta Colliseum. I also was on television regularly. While being so busy in the Philippines, I was contacted by a Producer residing in America that offered me an opportunity to perform in a show in Las Vegas with The Society of Seven. My husband and I decided to accept this offer and moved our family to Las Vegas where I performed in several showrooms throughout the years. My most recent show in Las Vegas was my solo show - “Voices” at The Las Vegas Hilton.”

5. WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME?
“Leaving the stability of the Philippines and adjusting to a new culture in America was a new beginning for us. My family is my priority and I had to balance my family and career schedule and still work hard to succeed as an entertainer.”

6. WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO HAWAII FOR THIS SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT?
“Roy Tokujo met with me and presented this great opportunity to perform in the Magic of Polynesia Showroom in Waikiki. I met with the wonderful people of Roberts Hawaii and my husband and I agreed to accept this invitation. It was a very quick decision and we had to move from Las Vegas to Hawaii with very short notice. But we knew we made the right choice and are looking forward to living in Hawaii and performing for the local people, as well as for the visitors from around the world.”

7. WHEN YOU ARE STAGE, WHAT IS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND WHILE YOU ARE PERFORMING?
“I look out into the faces of the people in the audience and I sing to them. I connect to my audience while I perform and look at them as friends. I try to bring a smile to their face and hope to touch them emotionally.”

8. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT FROM YOUR SHOW?
“They can expect to laugh, to be touched, to dance and to have fun.”

9. YOU CAN SING ALL TYPES OF MUSIC AND DO IMPRESSIONS? WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING IN YOUR HAWAII SHOW?
“I will be performing a variety of music including pop, opera and upbeat tunes and impersonations of some of the biggest female artists of all time. Recording the demo vocals for multiplex recordings when I was younger was a good preparation for doing vocals on impersonations.”

10. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING PERFORMER?
“Hold on to the principals that you always live by. Always choose the right things in life.”

11. WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII?
“I am very grateful to everyone making it possible for me to perform in Hawaii and I appreciate the welcoming aloha spirit from the people.”

12. WHAT IS YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION FOR 2012?
“This coming new year, like every other new year, we all make our resolutions aiming to better ourselves and our way of life. And for this year, as I always have, my new year’s resolution is very attainable. So here goes, this coming new year I would like to be more disciplined. Disciplined in every sense of the word. With discipline one can achieve order, success and everything else that’s good will follow.”

13. QUESTION FOR NOLI MISALUCHA - WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT LANI?
“Despite all that she has accomplished in her life, she is still very grounded and is still the same person. I love her for still being the person she is.” Noli fondly remembers how he courted Lani in their teen years and he would walk her home after choir rehearsals. As he talks about her, a warm smile spreads across his face; a smile of love, admiration and pride for her wife.

Lani Misalucha’s Show is an incredible production of impressive lighting, crystal clear audio, the best musicians and back-up vocalists in a spectacular showroom. All of this is effective because of the talent of the beautiful star onstage - Lani Misalucha. Her inner beauty radiates in every song she performs and her passion for entertaining is contagious. Her friendly conversation with the audience and “up close and personal” approach will make you feel like you are part of her family - like you have known her for years. What a special gift she has!

If you are looking for a feel-good type of show that will warm your heart and keep you spellbound with high-energy entertainment, take time to experience the Lani Misalucha Show. She looks forward to meeting you.

Lani Misalucha Show Tickets & Info:

www.LANIinHAWAII.com