ON THE BEAT: Reporter tries out Aliante Station’s Superstar Karaoke

As a reporter for The View over the past two years, I have been fortunate enough to experience a lot of new and interesting things. But on this warm night in early September, I have to admit, I wasn't necessarily in the mood for the loads of fun promised by Aliante Station's Superstar Karaoke.

I had been excited to see what this new brand of karaoke, which involves costume choices and professional hair and makeup stylists, was all about for over a week. But, alas, as I arrived at the casino with my friend Lisa, I got a call that my 3-year-old daughter was sick with pneumonia.

"Great," I thought. "How am I supposed to stay focused on this now?"

Well, the answer is fairly simple. While I was concerned for my daughter, I knew that she was in good hands, and by the time I met the casino's nightlife manager Elliot, who took me backstage to begin the makeover process, it was hard to not become really excited.

Elliot led me backstage to a dressing room as we discussed what I planned on singing later that evening. I told him that I hadn't really decided yet, but that my song choice would probably involve the catalogue of Journey or Evanescence.

I noticed along that way that refreshments had been set up outside of the dressing room. I grabbed and diet soda as we made our way in.

Inside the room were three ladies, and Elliot introduced them as beauty specialists. Each was dressed in black from head to toe. We shook hands. They called themselves the Las Vegas Style Sirens, and I remember thinking how flawless their own hair and makeup was.

The group welcomed me and asked me to decide on a song.

"We want to create your look based on the song you sing," stylist Lauren said.

I thought about it for a while, and as I waited for my turn, conversed with a few patrons who had come all the way from Henderson to participate in the Superstar experience.

Finally, it was my turn to take a seat in the stylist's chair.

I had decided on singing "Bring Me to Life," by Evanescence.

The group seemed to approve of the idea, and one of the girls brought up a photo of lead singer Amy Lee on her phone.

It took only about half an hour, but when my hair had been straightened and highlighted with intermittent tiny braids and my pale hued, smokey eyed look complete, I prepared to take the stage.

I've done this about a million times before. I was a professional vocalist for a lot of years. So, when a group of people offered to accompany me on stage to play the faux instruments set up on the Access Showroom stage (great props for this kind of thing, by the way), my attitude was, "Heck, yeah!"

All went well. I sang my heart out. Got some applause. But overall, just had a great time. When it comes to karaoke, that's what it's all about anyway.

Read more about Superstar Karaoke at Aliante Station in the View.

Watch a video of Amanda's performance on the media player.

-- Amanda Llewellyn