Greek-American Beauty (Full House Fanfic)

Chapter 8 - I Melodia Tis Eftyhias

At this point, I'd already recorded some songs with Jesse, two versions of 'Kiss Me Red' (one where he primarily sings the lead vocals and the other one where I do. But even on the one where he sings the lead, I sing in the middle part). We would record more after we were married.

I also recorded a song together with Therese called "Boys Are The Best" which became a hit among teen girls everywhere

It wasn't long before I formed the band with the other girls. We were called the "Go Go Girls", and while we were playing & singing, Vasilios knocked on my bedroom door. I invited him in.

"If you ladies ever need a drummer, I'm your man." He said. That was such a great idea, and so lovely for him to offer it, so of course we accepted his offer. He wasn't officially a member of our band (especially since we were the Go Go GIRLS) but he was still an important asset as the drummer. Honestly, I wouldn't have had anyone else.

It wasn't long before we got a record deal, and we recorded a few demos. But we wanted to take things slowly as I was still doing one final season of 'Nancy Drew', and two of the girls as well as my brother, were still in school.

Our very first fan base just happened to be in our school. The other girls liked our music. But there was one girl who was as sour as a lemon. Her name was Paige Griffin, and she was the student advisor. She got given the privilege to give demerits and credits, and needless to say that got to her head. NOBODY liked her.

But I graduated that year, I was only 16, but I got what I needed from school, and I could focus full time on my showbiz career.

Therese was a fabulous dancer, and so far she only got bit parts in music videos. I guess I was one of the 'lucky' ones, because my brother and I started out by doing commercials both here and in Greece, not to mention my print modelling. I truly believed that Therese would have the same break as me! I mean, she was so beautiful and talented, she could've been a star. But neither of us wanted to go to Hollywood, and whatever we filmed, we filmed in San Francisco.

In the Summer of 1980, my brother and I got called to work together again! We were going to be in a Greek production of the 'Sound Of Music' ('Η μελωδία της Ευτυχίας') and that further reinforced our gratitude to our parents for teaching us to read & write in Greek as well as speak it so that we could read the lines. I played the oldest daughter (Liesl), and my brother Vasilios played the oldest son (Friedrich). It was great timing too, because I'd just finished filming the last season of 'Nancy Drew'.

We got to star alongside the Greek star Aliki Vougiouklaki, and my gosh I was so thrilled! She's my favorite Greek singer (along with Litsa Diamanti), and a total legend.

Vasilios was a little nervous about being in the show because his voice had already broken, so he knew the audience would be able to set him apart from everyone else when we sang, but once he got into it, those nerves melted away. There was something special about working with my brother. I guess it's a family thing.

There were some cultural changes because this was a Greek show (e.g. Greek Orthodox nuns instead of Catholic nuns, Greek costumes instead of Austrian, etc). The show was televised, so Jesse was able to watch the show on TV, but couldn't see me live and he was visiting family in Peloponissos. That's where he was originally from. I was from Athens, the capital. My ancestors lived in Athens for generations, and so my family and godparents were thrilled upon finding out that Vasilios and I would on a Greek stage, despite the fact that it wasn't a Greek musical, and that Vasilios and I did many Greek commercials in our childhood.

That said, "the Greeks did invent music & theater", they'd always tell us.

Our performance took place at the National Theater of Greece, in Athens. On the night of the show, my godparents took a photo of the billboard outside the theater which bore not only Aliki Vougiouklaki's name, but mine and Vasilios' as well.

I was flattered, but I knew the value of hard work. But I was so excited to do this show! Especially acting with my brother, with whom I was very close. We also grew close with other cast members, especially Aliki who played Maria.

Prior to us leaving our hotel, I prayed to Jesus, Mary, and St Olivia looking at the icons of Theotokos (Virgin Mary) and Child, and my patron saint, St Olivia (as I was taught to do, being Greek Orthodox) beside my bed.

Vasilios and I were very nervous, but also very excited. We held each other's hands, saying "you got this" to each other. We ended up having a blast! The singing, the dancing, I even got to play guitar in a few scenes (I think that's also another reason I was chosen, because Liesl also plays guitar in some scenes in the movie).

At the end, for one of the final scenes, we all wore Greek traditional costumes. This was my costume.

Many of our loved ones attended our show, our godparents, our uncles and aunts, including my Aunt Orea, and both our grandmas, Yiayia Fanouria, and Yiayia Epistimi. I remember after the scene with Liesl asks her father if she can try champagne, during the 'So Long, Farewell' number, while I ran to my designated spot I gave my family members a little wave, and several waved back!

We were bombarded in true Greek style with big hugs & kisses from our godparents and other family members, they were so proud of us! And the two of us had a wonderful time doing the show, and needless to say we were exhausted, but very satisfied after doing such a successful show!

As we drove back to our hotel, I admired the Athens city lights, and I was able to catch a glimpse of the Acropolis, which was lit since it was late at night. So beautiful and golden.