SAN DIEGO — When the biggest names in show business want to light up the stage, they call an LED artist in Encinitas. In this Zevely Zone, I met the costume maker to the stars. Some people are just born for the bright lights of show business.
"Wall hangings, pillows, carpets," said Janet Hansen who will put colorful lights on anything. "These are the jackets I made for the Rockettes," said the LED artist who loves to light the most famous celebrities on the planet.
"Daft Punk, Britney Spears, Katy Perry," said Janet who dressed Katy Perry as a chandelier. "It was very difficult to install," said Janet.
Even wax figures at Madame Tussauds in New York. "This is the RuPaul wax figure," said Janet. "This is the Lady Gaga wax figure." Janet's career is a glowing success. "I did these touring jackets for Bell, Biv, DeVoe," said Janet.
Twenty-three years ago, Janet combined her backgrounds in engineering, aerospace and sewing and a lightbulb went off.
"Yes, definitely, ha, ha, ha," said Janet. She became an LED artist and created a company called Enlighted Designs. "This is behind the scenes with Dancing with the Stars, this is Derek Hough," said Janet.
Her greatest thrill was helping the designer Zaldy make Britney Spears shine. "This is the costume I made for the Britney Spears' tour," said Janet.
"He said Janet it's time would you come and light her up, so it was my job to hit the switch." While Britney loves the bright lights, Janet does not.
"I am the behind-the-scenes person I have been called the introvert who makes clothes for extroverts," said Janet.
Her low-key style was recently blown when Mt. Carmel High School inducted Janet into the school's hall of fame. "I mean at first I felt a little silly I mean I am not a household name like a lot of these other people are, but people said it was exciting to see what I have accomplished," said Janet.
From now on at Mt. Carmel High School her picture will be next to Adam Lambert's picture. Now she just needs to create a suit for Adam. "That would be great give me a call Adam," laughed Janet who is a shining example to others to always follow your dreams. For more information about Janet Hansen's career and company Enlighted Designs, click here.
