Kandice Marie Melonakos (born December 20, 1987), better known by her stage name Lola Blanc, is an American singer, songwriter, director, writer, podcaster, and actress. As a musician, she has been declared a "rising star" by Playboy,[2] and "one to watch" by Ladygunn Magazine.[3] Blanc co-wrote Britney Spears' top 40 single "Ooh La La".[4]
Blanc has appeared on such television shows as American Horror Story: Hotel; she has also contributed writing for Vice.com, having written about a number of topics including ageism in the music industry and her experience with believing in a cult leader.[5]
In 2019, Blanc co-founded Fatale Collective, an all-female horror filmmaking collective.[6] Their debut anthology short film, "Bleed", went to Fantastic Fest and a number of other genre film festivals, also winning the Director's Award for Cinematic Achievement in a Short Film at FilmQuest.[7][8]
Early life
Blanc was born in Bavaria, Germany but raised primarily on a farm in Fremont, Michigan. Brought up Mormon by a Greek-American father who was in the CIA and a motivational speaker mother,[9] she spent much of her childhood writing songs and performing as a ventriloquist and auctioneer[10] with her mother and brother, who performed magic and escape art.[11]
When Blanc was a pre-teen, her mother was targeted by a religious impostor posing as a true LDS prophet who played on her beliefs and lured her into his web. Blanc found their letters and believed in him, too; she was temporarily separated from her mother, who was coerced into human trafficking until an accomplice who had a change of heart saved her. They were promptly reunited.[12] Eventually Lola moved to Los Angeles, where she now resides, to pursue music full-time.
Blanc originally co-wrote Britney Spears' single Ooh La La with Fransisca Hall and producer Ammo for her own project; the title was intended to be a play on her name. When Dr. Luke heard it, he thought it'd be perfect for Spears and brought in songwriters Bonnie McKee and J. Kash to rewrite the lyrics so they would better suit Spears and The Smurfs 2.[13]
Blanc appears as a "Former Cult Member/ Podcaster" on several episodes of Netflix's 2023 documentary "How to Become a Cult Leader."[16] Although her specific experience is not mentioned, she provides insights and analyses of famous cult leaders.[17]
Podcast
Blanc co-hosts a podcast called "Trust Me: Cults, Extreme Belief, and Manipulation."[18]
Collaborations
Blanc has been photographed and filmed for a number of fashion and beauty brands, including Vera Wang Princess, Make Up For Ever, Pinup Girl Clothing, and Lime Crime Makeup. YouTube celebrity makeup artist Michelle Phan has used several of Blanc's songs (Shangri-La, April Fools, and Bad Tattoo) in her tutorial videos.[19][20]
