It's official: Ryan Star is now a rock star.
"It's really been unbelievable," said Star, calling from a tour stop in Malaysia and laughing about being on "the most expensive call we'll ever have." "I'm being followed by paparazzi. ... When I arrived, I turn on the radio station and the guy's saying 'Ryan Star has landed in Malaysia.'"
Star's success on the CBS reality show "Rock Star: Supernova" this summer has already launched a series of firsts for the Dix Hills native - a chart-topper on MSN Music for his single "Back of My Car," a quickie live album recorded only days after being eliminated from the show and his whirlwind trip to Malaysia (flying first class, natch), where he will play to thousands of fans.
"The show was really a phenomenon here," said Star, whose intense, dramatic brand of lyric-driven rock created many fans through the TV show. "But what's really incredible is they're not talking about the show. They're talking about rstar.net and my myspace page. They're playing 'Back of My Car' on the radio."
It's the kind of reception he's hoping for when he returns to America. After his Long Island homecoming show tonight, Star will head into the studio to record the follow-up to his solo debut "Songs from the Eye of an Elephant" (Stone Crow).
He said he hopes to announce a new record deal soon, as his association with reality show king Mark Burnett continues. "He's kind of my hero right now," Star said of Burnett, who created "Rock Star," as well as produced "Survivor" and "The Apprentice." "He wants to help me out and, instead of getting involved with something he hasn't done before, he is helping me get another team together."
Star planned to take his first break since he began on "Rock Star: Supernova" after his appearances in Malaysia and Singapore, stopping in Bali for a few days off before heading home to Long Island.
"People better freaking show up in Long Island for the show," Star said, laughing. "I'm coming back early from paradise just to see them."
He is joking, of course, adding that he hopes his Long Island fans come out because "it'll be the last time I will see them for a while." One thing Star has made a priority on his post-Supernova tour is meeting his fans. At his Bowery Ballroom concert last month, he spent nearly four hours after the show talking with everyone who wanted to meet him. "For me, that's so necessary to say, 'Thank you for coming,'" Star said. "It really makes the difference. They help me live my dream."
Star said getting the rock star treatment in Malaysia has only made him hungrier to achieve that kind of success in the rest of the world.
"I know what it feels like, I know what it tastes like," he said. "Now I have to make it happen."
WHEN & WHERE Ryan Star plays Thursday night at 8 at the Crazy Donkey,1058 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale, 631-753-1975. Tickets are $20 through clubloaded.com.