Clique Girlz EP
Incredible
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Despicable Me OST
True Love Single
Michael J. Fox Foundation
There is a new starlet making her way onto the scene in South Jersey, and on Saturday evening she serenaded the outdoor patio at Mystic Islands Casino in Little Egg Harbor. Her name is Destinee Raé Monroe, and she is no stranger to stardom.
After taking a hiatus from touring as an international pop sensation, Monroe has undergone a rock ’n’ roll rebranding and reemerged on her home turf.
Originally from Egg Harbor Township, Monroe moved to California at the young age of 12 to embark on her musical journey in a girl group with her younger sister, Paris. The “tweeny-boppers,” as she described, turned down a deal with Disney. Monroe said laughingly, “At 12, we wanted to be taken more seriously!”
The girls went on to be signed to Interscope Records with Jimmy Iovine, where they recorded over 150 songs. They recorded one full album with producer RedOne, who produced such artists as Lady Gaga.
One of their biggest highlights was performing in 32 European cities as the opening act for Britney Spears’ Femme Fatale tour in 2011.
“It was definitely a whirlwind,” Monroe recalled. “I was so young at the time, and it all happened so fast. It really was a blur.”
However dizzying the experience was for the then 17-year-old, Monroe said she felt considerably welcomed by the entire team. “All her (Spears’) dancers, roadies, tour staff … everybody was so warm,” she said. “They made the tour feel like home.”
Spears herself treated the Monroe sisters with kindness. “She greeted us backstage and said, ‘I love y’all’s outfits!’ in her Southern, Britney accent,” Monroe remembered fondly.
When not on stage, according to Monroe, Spears was rarely seen without her Ugg boots on. So the girls gifted her with black sequin Uggs as a gesture of gratitude. “Next thing you know, we saw a photo of her wearing them in Brazil,” Monroe said, laughing. “It’s 85 degrees, and she’s wearing her sequin Uggs!”
After eight years, Monroe left her record label when the chairman moved to a different company. “I moved home and decided to be a little bit normal for a while,” she said, explaining she had become jaded with the pop music industry. Her sister stayed on the West Coast, and Monroe ventured home to Jersey, where she now resides in Little Egg Harbor.
This spring, she was hired as a server at the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City. Not long after, she met performer Journey Blue Heaven, better known as Journey. Right around that time, Monroe was considering purchasing an aquamarine guitar, and Journey encouraged her to pull the trigger.
“We got to talking about music, I bought my blue guitar, and next thing you know, Journey says, ‘By the way, I have an audition for Joe Loupo.’” Journey asked Monroe to attend the audition with her, as a duo act.
“I didn’t know many covers, and I had to learn three songs in two days,” she said.
The audition was on a Friday, so, that Thursday, the two women, who have dubbed themselves Journey To Destinee, decided to attend Jimmy Brogan’s open mic night at the MICA Club, in the Mystic Island section of Little Egg Harbor. They were warmly received, and Monroe was approached by Brogan, who asked, “Where have you been hiding?”
The duo nailed their audition, and were approved to perform at the Council Oak Lounge in the Hard Rock Casino. Alas, the next day, COVID-19 shut down the shore.
“It was like the perfect storm,” said Monroe, who accepted quarantine as an opportunity to learn as many songs as she could, as fast as she could. “I remember my parents always saying ‘preparedness is key!’”
Though she started her career as a pop singer and dancer, she explained it was the band Green Day that inspired her to pursue music. Furthermore, Monroe’s father, a guitarist himself, brought his daughters up on such legendary performers as Yes, Cream and David Bowie. Being from Woodstock, Journey has rejuvenated in Monroe a love for classic rock, so Monroe used quarantine to become versed in all of the classic hits, many of which she performed at Mystic Islands Casino on Saturday night.
Her experience performing before thousands certainly has translated well into her new persona, as she delivered seductive, punchy renditions of classic rock hits from the likes of Van Morrison, The Beatles, The Eagles and Tom Petty. That is not to mention her tremendous pipes, which sent chills reverberating across the audience. Her stage presence is a force to be reckoned with.
Once outdoor dining was permitted in July, Monroe was prepared to jump right into performing. In addition to performing with Journey, she also debuted as an impromptu duo act with Jimmy Brogan in August. Though the two had never performed together before, their collaborative energy was so natural that audience members were asking them how many years they had known each other.
“It felt like we’ve been playing for years,” she said.
Monroe shared heaps of gratitude for Brogan’s generosity. “Some musicians can be very territorial,” she explained. “Jimmy is so welcoming and supportive of local music.”
When asked about original material, Monroe explained, “Every now and then, a song will just pop out of me.” But after her extended hiatus, she is taking her time and working on her stage appeal as an East Coast rock ’n’ roller. “I’m just getting my sea legs and trusting in God that it’s all going to work out.”
Monroe will resume her residency with Journey at Hard Rock on Oct. 10 from 8:15 to 11 p.m. at the Council Oak Lounge. She will return to Mystic Islands Casino with Brogan on Oct. 11 from 2 to 6 p.m. Fans can stay up to date with Monroe by visiting Facebook: @Destinee Monroe Music, or Instagram: @destineemonroe.
