I was born in 1979 in a small town in southern NJ. My mom said from the minute I could open my eyes, I was dramatic. I was very outgoing and talked very early. She said I lived to be the center of attention.
Growing up, my bother, sister and I did all of the fun things kids do. I had a great childhood. When I was 4, I started ballet class. I loved every second of it-especially when we went on stage for recitals. I was a performer at heart from that moment on.
I did well in school. Of course I talked a lot. All of my report cards had the comment on them “Christine loves to talk.” Fortunately, my schools had amazing theater arts programs that I jumped right into. I remember my first school play in 3rd grade. I had one line but boy, did I ever say that line with PASSION! I knew my line and everyone else’s for that matter. My music teacher took notice of my passion for music and acting. The next year I got the lead in our 4th grade play! That was true beginning of the rest of my life. From then on all I wanted to do was be on stage. I begged my mom to take me to voice lessons and acting classes. I spent all of my summers in theater camps and all of my school years in after-school music and theater programs. I just couldn’t get enough of it.
One of my favorite singer/songwriters at that time was Debbie Gibson. I would sit at my keyboard in my basement for HOURS with my tape deck and memorize every note she played until I could play the song just like she did. That was when I got into songwriting. My mom and dad got me a 4 track recorder for my 8th grade graduation. I was in heaven. All day long I would write and record music. It wasn’t very good but hey, ya gotta start somewhere, right???
That next Fall was a tough one. My parents got divorced and it turned my world upside down. Divorce is never something you think is going to happen to your parents, until it does and the reality of it all sets in. I was devastated for months. Because of it, I kind of tucked myself in even deeper into my music and used it as my outlet.
Later, I moved in with my mom and my step dad. They devoted all of their time to helping me achieve my dreams. I was so blessed to have people like them in my life, supporting me all the way. I know I couldn’t have done it without them.
I took every opportunity that was placed in front of me to get better. When I was 14 I was placed under a talent agency where I started auditioning for movies and commercials. I performed on local TV talent shows and I even got to be an extra in a movie once. It was great because I got paid $100 to get out of school for the day and lay on the beach!! What a life!!
This went on for a while until I heard about an R&B group that needed a member. I auditioned and made it. It was me, Sharon and Alecia (the artist now known as Pink). We moved down to Atlanta, GA where I was introduced to the record industry. We signed a deal with LaFace records and made an album. It was an experience I will never forget. After a few years, the label realized they wanted to take Pink solo and dropped our group. MY WORLD WAS SHATTERED!! I went into a depression, thinking all of my hard work over the years was for nothing.
During all of this, I became a Christian. I had never really understood who God was until a friend of mine took me to a crusade where I heard the gospel for the first time. I gave my life to Jesus that night. I moved back home to NJ where I found a home church and started reading the bible. It was a defining moment in my life. That was when I realized that my life wasn’t all about what I wanted, but more about what God wanted to do through me.
Just before I was about to sign a solo record deal with Def Jam Records, I prayed to God. For the first time I asked him to show me His will for my life. I didn’t want to sing for my own glory anymore, but for His.
I got my answer the very next day. Most of you already know this part of the story, but Kristin called me out of the blue, asking me if I wanted to join a Christian pop group. I had never even met her before. I knew it was my answer to prayer. I said yes and immediately moved to Nashville.
Nashville was a BIG adjustment for me. I was a Jersey girl at heart. This southern style was a whole new ballgame for me. Over time, I got more and more used to people saying “Hey Ya’ll” and “Yes mam” to me. I’m still getting used to the cowboy hat thing though. :0)
Two years after I moved to Nashville, I met James Katina. I had always loved the Katinas and their music but I had never met them. I started going to a new church in 2002 and that’s where my life changed forever. I was introduced to James by a friend. Our eyes met and there was something about him that I wanted to know more about. We started hanging out at the recording studio, writing songs together and going out to eat with friends after church. It didn’t take long for us to know that we were meant to be together. We’ve got married May 9, 2004 on THE BEACH!! Woo hoo! It rocked. I loved my wedding!
So now, here I am, a Jersey girl – all settled in as a southerner and happy as a clam. It’s amazing how God can take you places you never dreamed you’d ever go by giving Him the reigns. I did and it was the best choice I ever made….
