Getting her first big break dancing on MTV's The Grind, Vivienne's five-year stint on the show led to a career in modeling, television and movies. Soon after, Vivienne replaced Zelma Davis as the lead vocalist for the chart-topping group C&C Music Factory. After touring for two years with the group, she was contacted by rock & roll legend Chubby Checker to perform with his newly-formed hip-hop group, "Chubby C and O.D."

And now, as Vivienne's new gig as a solo artist ignites flames up and down the east coast from New York to Miami, don't be surprised if you see her again on MTV, this time with her own group of swivel-hipped back-up dancers.

When did you realize you had the itch to perform?
I realized it when I was about 4 years old. I used to gather all of my Cabbage Patch Kids and Barbies and make an audience out of them. I performed in front of them like it was a stadium and I was Whitney Houston.

What was it like touring with C&C Music Factory as their lead singer?
Honestly it was very challenging for me because it was my first tour. I was always a big fan of C&C and when I danced on MTV's The Grind I saw them perform and it blew my mind. I said to myself that is want I want to do. I never thought that a few years later I would be a part of that situation. And thinking back on it now, it's definitely funny. Touring with C&C was a great experience and I'll never forget it.

Now that you're a solo act, would you ever consider going back and being part of a group again?
No, no, no...I'm at a point in my life that I know what I want. I'm not going to waste any more time with groups because you have to worry about other people's opinions and take their lifestyle into consideration, not to mention what they really want. I was in a group that probably could've been something but one of the girls couldn't handle the business. And at that point we had worked so hard and it was hard to get a replacement so things fell a part right after she quit. Now Viv is doing Viv. If I screw up, I only have myself to blame.

Are there any advantages to being an artist without a label?
One of the advantages of being an independent artist is that you have a lot more say in your projects. If you do things on your own in this business, people in the industry give you more respect. Just about everyone is a singer, rapper, actor or model. Go into a club/restaurant/ bar and see how many people are trying to pursue the entertainment field. Out of all of those people, who's making moves on their own? Not many, and that's the difference. The music business specifically is really suffering right now because of the economy. So now it's much harder to be taken seriously as an artist. You have to start a buzz, sell records and create a name for yourself nowadays to even be considered for a deal - it's crazy.

Are there any disadvantages?
Oh yeah, there are a few. You have a lot of pressure when you do things on your own and it's hard to get people to believe in you and take you seriously as a new and independent artist. But nothing in life is easy, right? I say if it's something is worth working for, it's going to be hard
work.

Who have you been compared to?
I've been told my voice is a blend of Faith Evans, Brandy and T-Boz.

Is there anyone in the industry you'd love to work with?
I was just telling someone that I would love to work with Brian McKnight and Babyface. They are both timeless writers and producers.

What other artists inspire you?
I love all the old-school R&B singers like Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan...I love me some Chaka!... Aretha Franklin...and Spanish singers as well - I loved Selena and I admire LaIndia very much.

You've already guest-starred on shows like Third Watch and Law & Order - are you simultaneously working on your acting and singing career, or have you decided to channel all your efforts into singing?
I wish that I could keep doing the acting thing, but my schedule is so crazy and the music is so time consuming. I train with my vocal coaches, rehearse with my dancers and I'm in the studio constantly writing and arranging songs. Add interviews and photo shoots to that and my weeks fly by. But as soon as I have a little more free time I will definitely get back into reading some scripts.

Like Jennifer Lopez you started out as a dancer on a TV show - Do you hope to build your own empire like she has?
Hell yeah! I definitely want to be successful at whatever comes my way. Aside from the creative side of music, I'm a businesswoman and I would love to have my own empire. I definitely see real estate, a movie production company and a clothing company in the future. We'll see what happens - I'll keep you posted.

Miami has a very large Latin population, how do you plan on taking advantage of that?
I know that I have an upper hand being Latina, especially here. We're having another Latin Explosion but in the hip- hop and R&B world as opposed to pop like it was before. I hope that Miami embraces me as an up-and-coming Latina.

What places do you most identify with?
In the US, there are two: Miami and New York. In terms of countries, I have to say my native land, the Dominican Republic. New York is filled with, as I say, "hustlers." People work ten times harder there. I'm persistent and a hard worker, but I have a side that's a little wild and fun-loving - that would be my Miami side. But there's also a big part of me that's mellow, sweet and pretty much laidback - that's the Dominican in me.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Sitting on top of Vivienne's world! Honestly beyond all the glamour and glitz I hope that I'm happy and healthy. People really don't think about it, but those two things are very important to me. I hope that in five years I have a couple multi-platinum albums, two blockbuster films and a huge endorsement deal - that would be nice right?

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
The person who has influenced my career the most is not a musician or anybody in this business - and that's what makes her so special. My mother. She has taught me so much and she's been supportive of my dreams ever since she noticed that I really had an interest in the arts. She came to this country not knowing English, or having a job - or anything for that matter - but she was determined to do the best she could, and she did. Having her in my corner is all the influence that I need.

What's the most valuable lesson you've learned so far?
Life is what you make of it. Hard work really pays off and my favorite - having faith in God will take you a long way.