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Beyond Our Wildest Dreams is a true story about two sisters whirled into the grooviest girl group, of all time! - written by the Alberici Sisters, Maria Lauren, and Linda Eichberg.
Currently, the Alberici Sisters are working with a team to develop a television pilot/series inspired by the book, Beyond Our Wildest Dreams!
Maria Lauren's writing credits include the book, Beyond Our Wildest Dreams; episodes of the television series You Got The Power, and The Bed-time Movie; stage productions, Showstoppers and Youth Empowerment Spotlight, audio meditations Relax-n-Renew; songwriter featured in Billboard magazine.
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My Roots
I’m grateful for my family roots! I was born in Philadelphia, the oldest of nine children, all raised on a plant-based diet, way before it was popular! In the 1950's, my parents were pioneers in healthy living. Junk food was forbidden, while exercise including Yoga and weightlifting was highly encouraged!
In the 1970s women were just being introduced into the world of competitive fitness and bodybuilding. A trainer offered to coach me for free, so I entered the male-dominated industry. The judges were the biggest in the bodybuilding business: former Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
- Maria Lauren, AKA MariaElena Alberici, is a trailblazer for women's empowerment. Maria was the first woman to win two national fitness titles in 1972, Miss Americana and Miss Body Beautiful USA. Consequently, she became the first woman alone to grace the cover of Strength and Health magazine with a multiple-page article.
- Maria Lauren, the Alberici Sisters, and the family were featured in several health publications, including Vegetarian Times, Calabasas Times, Desert News, and the International Journal of Sports Medicine.
Fitness and Beauty Pageants
Because of the publicity of winning fitness contests, I was sought after to enter beauty contests, I thought, why not?
- MariaElena Alberici, AKA Maria Lauren won Miss Pennsylvania and later was in the top five finalist for Miss USA World, also winning Miss Photogenic, Miss Hot Pants...
The Road to Show biz
Beauty contests were great for landing modeling jobs, but I was more interested in performing as a singer, dancer, and actress.
- Maria Lauren, AKA MariaElena Alberici was 16 years old when she started performing in community theater and played the leads in West Side Story, The Fantasticks, The Serpent, The Music Man, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Romeo and Juliet, Singing in the Rain, The Sound of Music, and Company…. at 18 years old she was voted Most Talented Girl at her high school graduation and continued studies in Theater Arts at Villanova University.
Flying to Hollywood
I love being creative, and as a teenager, I began writing songs and teamed up with my sister as the Alberici Sisters. This led us to national auditions for the singing and dancing girl group, The Golddiggers, and the excitement of being flown to Hollywood to entertain with iconic performers.
- Maria Lauren, AKA MariaElena Alberici entertained with showbiz royalty, including The Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.
For a list of celebrities, television, shows and reviews:
For backstage celebrity stories:
Fitness and empowerment
The habit of keeping fit and healthy was invaluable to me when I left home and was put through the rigorous activities of performing on road tours and television. Sharing the joys of entertaining and promoting a positive lifestyle has always been a priority in my life.
- For nearly a decade, Maria Lauren produced and hosted the ongoing television series You Got The Power, a body and mind workout at Time Warner.
- Maria Lauren started Youth Empowerment Spotlight, Y.E.S. as a director, choreographer, and singing coach that received recognition from the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs. Maria also co-created a t-shirt line You Got The Power with positive messages for youth, recognized by our nation's capital.
For additional information:
Present Day
I’m grateful for a diverse and full life and “walking the talk!”
- Maria Lauren, AKA MariaElena Alberici-Blake, continues to represent fitness ideals and their applications to corporations, healthcare, and wellness centers, presently on staff at Kaiser Permanente, where she plays a key role in providing healthy living practices while working closely with patients, dieticians, nurses, and doctors.
- Maria Lauren extends high-quality wellness practices of Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, and Dance moves to corporate and individual clients as the CEO at Renew Your Power.
- Maria Lauren is in her 70s and continues to have a presence in the entertainment business. She stays close to family and friends, has one daughter, Marianna Riccio, and is married to Tom Blake.