The following interview belongs to NYDailyNews.

Kat DeLuna is pushing her way into the big time with a new dance.

The Push Push dance is the key to her new song, also called “Push Push,” a hyper-catchy collaboration with Akon and the first single off her sophomore record “Inside Out.”

Videos of DeLuna teaching kids to do the Push Push and busting a move herself in the studio have already made their way through YouTube, Soulja Boy-style.

“It’s gone viral!” the 22-year-old tells the Daily News. “If you add a dance step to a song, it’s gonna work.”

The duet with Akon came about by accident: The two hitmakers (DeLuna broke out in 2007 with her hit “Whine Up”) had wanted to work together for a long time, and they happened upon each other in the studio one day.

“He said, ‘I have something I wanna show you,’” DeLuna says. “He played the beat and I went crazy.”

The result is a simple, fun and insanely catchy song with a multilayered oh-oh-oh refrain by DeLuna, a solid contribution from Akon on the bridge and a thumping beat that’s sure to bring the house down at the club.

For DeLuna, whose biggest following has been in Europe (by her reckoning, she’s had three chart-toppers), America’s musical climate is much more conducive to her success than it was in ’07.

“I felt like I was ahead of my time musically — all the music [in the States] was still leaning toward hip-hop and R&B,” says DeLuna, who describes her work as electro-dance with a Latin twist.

While she found success here with “Whine Up” and her debut album “9 Lives,” her biggest response came from across the pond. There, she explained, the music scene had already acclimated to her style.

“I had the whole electro thing going,” she tells The News of her European appeal.

Her latest album actually began when an 18-year-old producer contacted her via Twitter and, eventually, was granted an audience with DeLuna backstage in Belgium. He gave her a CD of beats, and the singer was won over.

“The first 10 seconds, I fell over,” DeLuna says. The producer was brought into the fold, and he and DeLuna would work on the record during her tour via Skype-sessions.

“It’s a Skype-produced album,” DeLuna laughs of the process.

And now that producer RedOne, who has worked with DeLuna and most famously Lady Gaga, has brought the Euro scene to prominence in the U.S., DeLuna feels her music will shine brighter than ever.

“Push Push” is the result of that perfect storm: It is the only collaboration on “Inside Out,” and DeLuna believes it makes the album whole.

“The album was fantastic,” she tells The News, “but I just needed that one song. It’s like ’9 Lives,’ but taken to the next level.”

DeLuna has also collaborated with Lil Wayne on the stand-alone, rock-flavored single “Unstoppable” (“A gift to my fans,” she calls it, and another coincidence that Wayne had heard the track and opted to contribute a verse). Being able to collaborate with performers like Wayne and Akon is a mark for DeLuna of how far she’s come.

“I’m still climbing the stairs,” DeLuna says. “To have so many people supporting me is amazing.”

With “Inside Out” still in the works (DeLuna is shooting for a fall release) and a tour in the early planning stages, DeLuna is focusing on her two gigs this weekend. First up is a headlining spot at the Girls Who Rock concert at Santos Party House Saturday, and after that, she’ll perform atop the New York Daily News float at the Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sunday.

The Girls Who Rock show is especially important for DeLuna, who is the first Dominican singer to achieve worldwide success in the English language. The show is a benefit to support She’s the First, a foundation that supports education for young Tanzanian girls. DeLuna said she feels honored by the opportunity to represent that foundation, given the boundaries that she has surpassed on her way up the ladder.

“I represent all the girls who have had limitations growing up,” DeLuna says, and she believes her actions will set the example for whoever follows in her footsteps. “It’s a big responsibility, but I have to do the right thing.”

If her prediction about the changing music scene is right, she’ll have a lot of people to mentor very, very soon.

“Inside Out” has not yet been given an official release date, but the official music video for “Push Push” is expected to debut next week.

Kat DeLuna – All Grown-Up

The following interview belongs to TeenMusic.

TeenMusic:  I read that the title is a reflection of the difference between who you are on stage and off stage.

Kat: I always say every morning that Kathleen wakes up to get ready for Kat.  Kathleen is the creator of Kat and that’s how I see it.  Kathleen writes the songs, picks out the outfits and the moves.  So it’s like Kat De Luna is created by Kathleen even though it’s one person.  This album is all about me showing everything I am.  I am older and have been through more stuff and learned the business.  So this is me without make-up.

TeenMusic:  In what ways have you matured and changed?

Kat: I feel like I am a stronger artist more so than before.  Now I understand my style and what type of music I want to do.  As a person I’ve grown by being able to tour all over the world.  I went to places that have less than we have here in America and I’ve learned to appreciate life more.  I did shows in Africa and stopped in some places that came out of wars.  So to see how they are so full of life and still rebuilding is amazing.  Then to come back home and see kids throwing their future away for nothing hits you hard.  When you see what others don’t have you regret the things you took for granted.  America is the world of opportunity and it never catches on until you go through it.  It’s made me think about other things I want to do as well.

TeenMusic:  I also read that you feel like an underdog in the music business.  Do you still feel that way after the success you had with the album 9 Lives?

Kat: I still feel like a new artist and that’s where it comes from.  The underdog is the new girl in town who has to prove herself.  People say that I’ve done so much but really it’s not a lot.  This is only my sophomore album.  I’ve been lucky and worked hard but I still feel like an underdog.

TeenMusic:  I read a tweet where you said that you miss your friends.  So is it lonely out there for you on the road?

Kat: I’ve trained myself to handle it and to accept this lifestyle.  I have to be away from my family and give up things.  Yeah, you perform and have fans but everybody is working around you.  So when you get to the hotel before you go to sleep you’re lonely.  Some artists will bring a friend or family member to be with them but it’s a lonely career.

TeenMusic:  So I assume you’re not dating anyone to keep you company?

Kat: Not that I know.

TeenMusic:  Well if you don’t know then sounds like you might have a stalker.  So are you looking forward to a relationship?

Kat: I’m really concentrated on my career but if it happens, it happens.  I’m not shying away from it.  Everyone I know has one and I want one too.  I might have a boyfriend soon.  I’m just throwing it out there.

TeenMusic:  What kind of guys are you attracted to?

Kat: Physically, I like any type of race.  I like a fun humble person and he has to have style.  I like a person that has values and that covers a bit of it.

TeenMusic:  I’m sure you see many things out there on the road.  Do you have any funny travel stories?

Kat: I’ve had a dress falling off on stage.  I was so embarrassed but that happens and you can’t kill yourself over it.

TeenMusic:  I read an interview with Columbus Pride where you said even though it’s hard to sing and dance live you still do it.  So what’s your take on lip synching?

Kat: It depends on what you’re doing.  If you’re at the Grammy’s or something like that you have to sing.  If an artist is on tour for thirty days then you can lose your voice.  It has happened to me and in those situations it’s okay to lip synch.  I’ve done it before in the past and for the reason that I lost my voice for three days.  I was crying ‘cause I hate to lip synch but when I have a choice I always sing.  For my music it is hard to dance and sing.  I’m still getting better at it but I prefer me singing a note off key sometimes than to lip synch.

TeenMusic:  Who were you at age 6?

Kat: That was the age when I stated to blossom as a singer.  When my sisters went to play I would sing and do karaoke.  My first time I sang was 3 years old in the Dominican Republic.  My mom heard a song and asked me to play it again and I said it was me.  She thought it was the radio.  I was writing and into my craft.  I would play dress up in my mom’s clothes and put on family shows.  My mom knew it from there that I had to be a singer/performer.

TeenMusic:  Who were you at 13?

Kat: By then I was already in high school.  I was my little entrepreneur and had gone to many auditions and competitions.  I was a businesswoman trying to make it happen.  I would listen to Mariah’s song “Make it Happen,” as inspiration.

TeenMusic:  Who is Kat now?

Kat: Kat now at 22 is definitely a woman, artist and pop star trying to make her brand big.  I’m still that little businesswoman.  Through it all I’ve always been a firecracker and full of energy making it happen.

The following interview belongs to Charley says POP.

Charley: You’ve worked with the amazing Darin on ‘Breathing Your Love’…

Kat: Yes!

Charley: What was that like?

Kat: Darin is so cute, he’s so sweet. We met through RedOne, who produced ‘Breathing Your Love’. He introduced the song to me and I fell in love with it. I recorded it and then the next week we did the video. I was amazed with the success of the song. Darin is one of my favourite European artists, he has a lot of talent.

Charley: He definitely has. He’s an amazing singer and I love your duet with him.

Kat: Thank you!

Charley: Darin tried to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest. Are you familiar with that show?

Kat: No, I’m not, but you can summarise it for me. *laughs*

Charley: Every country in Europe selects one song for a big live finale where all countries get together and perform. Then there’s televoting and juries and one song wins. If any country would ask you to compete for them, would you consider it?

Kat: Definitely, of course.

Charley: Cause I think the people that like Eurovision would also be the people who like Kat DeLuna. So that might be a cool thing to maybe see happening one day.

Kat: I would be more than honoured! I would probably do an ABBA song.

Charley: Oh, but it has to be an original song!

Kat: Oh, one of my songs! Oh, ok!

Charley: Something completely different, for a Belgian tv show you performed a special duet version of ‘I Will Follow Him’ with Flemish singer Sandrine. Do you remember that?

Kat: Yes, Peter!

Charley: Indeed, the show was Peter Live! Was that any fun to do?

Kat: Very, very much fun! Especially because we had a live choir with us. I was so excited. I love Sandrine, she has a beautiful voice. She’s a beautiful girl.

Charley: Yes! She’s actually coming to America to record a Motown album…

Kat: Oh, amazing! I’m under Motown, we’ll probably be under the same house at Universal.

Charley: You should definitely check that out and maybe you can do something together!

Kat: Definitely, I love Sandrine. She has a lot of talent.

Charley: Simon Cowell is setting up an American version of The X Factor, could he ask you to be a judge?

Kat: *laughs* I would like to! That would be funny. As long as I don’t have to anything but be a judge!

Charley: Cause in X Factor the judges also coach the acts and I could definitely see you wanting to share that with the contestants.

Kat: Aw… Well, you never know, I could be hard! I could be like “Give me five on the ground now! One… Two…”

Charley: Would you ever consider a reality show of your own?

Kat: Hmm…

Charley: Like Kat DeLuna: Behind The Scenes?

Kat: I don’t know, I feel like my private life is something that’s very, very private to me. I would however consider a week of showing someone my life.

Charley: Someone should look into that, cause I would be watching!

Kat: Trust me, it would be very funny!

Charley: And as for television, what shows do you like to watch? Or do you just not have the time?

Kat: I love reality shows. I also love shows like Gossip Girl, Glee… I watch a lot of movies. I watch a lot of Spanish novellas…

Charley: Here in Belgium we had a Flemish version of Ugly Betty…

Kat: Yeah, but you know, Ugly Betty was originally in Spanish!

Charley: Yes, I can’t think of the name right now… Betty La Fea?

Kat: Yes, Betty La Fea! The Americans got it because of Salma Hayek. You know, that’s something… I watched Betty La Fea in Spanish. I hardly have time though to watch TV.

Charley: Yes, I can imagine. So were you able to watch shows like Jersey Shore?

Kat: *laughs* Yes, I have seen that.

Charley: Do you like it?

Kat: It’s very entertaining, it really is. I think… I don’t know if it’s real. I think it’s staged. I’m from Jersey, I don’t see a lot of people acting like that. I’ve never been involved in reality shows, I don’t know if everything is real.

Charley: Is there anything else you wanted to say to the people reading this?

Kat: Definitely for my fans to follow me at www.twitter.com/katdeluna and on www.facebook.com/katdeluna. I’m the one that actually writes back to my fans. Look at how my producer Eightysix and I got in contact and now he is working with me. I take time to speak to my fans and to hear them out. Also, to go get ‘Push Push’ on iTunes! Help me make this a number one song. And to wait for the album, ‘Inside Out’!

Charley: Ok, thank you very, very much. You’ve been a pleasure to talk to.

Kat: You too.

Charley: I had a really good time and maybe when you’re in Belgium we’ll meet again!

Kat: Definitely, keep in contact and we’ll let you know everything. I will see you soon hopefully!

Charley: Thank you very much. Bye Kat!

Kat: Bye darling!

The following interview belongs to Black Voices.

For pop star Kat DeLuna, Black Music Month gives the Dominican singer a time to reflect on her heritage and all that she aspires to be.

We recently caught up with the Newark-raised singer in Miami after her performance as part of the Hotel Thrillist festivities. The 22-year-old, born Kathleen DeLuna, says participating in the media event speaks to her diverse audience, but warns to not be confused; she identifies with her “black” heritage.

“My music is pop but who says pop isn’t black?,” she asked.

“A lot of people see a girl that’s a pop artist and think, ‘That’s Anglo music or world music’ but just because there is a category to the song, doesn’t mean that you should frame it with a color,” she continued.

“I see myself definitely in the middle of this big melting pot,” DeLuna declared.

“Even by race, I’m Dominican, but to me Dominican is black and white, but more black and more black. We just speak Spanish,” she laughed.

Black Music Month is something that the Billboard Latin Music Award winner believes should be celebrated by all.

“I do definitely think that there needs to be a month, not only to just the African American culture, but for the music, too” DeLuna added.

“I’m black, we’re black and we know our history, but a lot of people don’t know that the music itself and the history of music and that a lot of [other] things came from African Americans.”

In the three years since her 2007 debut ’9 Lives,’ the Universal Motown Records artist has been on an extensive European tour catering to her fan-base overseas. DeLuna, who still considers herself a new artist, believes that she could be the next big Latina pop star with the release of her upcoming sophomore set ‘Inside Out.’

“I felt like I was ahead of my time [at that time when the album was released],” the ‘Whine Up’ singer explained. “It broke harder in Europe and this time around, I wanted to connect more here.”

“I’m Latina, I can’t hide that [but] ever since J Lo and Shakira, there hasn’t been another Latin girl.Shakira is very Latina and J Lo is a very American girl and me I’m very in the middle. I’m that Spanglish-Afro-girl and I know it sounds weird but I am the girl of today.”

DeLuna just shot the video to her new single ‘Push Push’ with Akon in Atlanta. ‘Project Runway’ winner Christian Siriano designed her outfits for the clip, which is due next month, and also styled her.

‘Inside Out’ is set for a fall release.