Bermudian Rebecca Faulkenberry said it was "surreal" to perform on one of the top-rated late-night shows in the US.

On Monday evening she "rocked out" on the stage of the Tonight Show with American Idol winner Constantine Maroulis.

Earlier that day she met the show's host Jay Leno.

Shortly before taking the stage she spoke with The Royal Gazette while her hair was being set in "a million ringlets".

"Our set is awesome, enough neon to light all of Bermuda I think! We had a wardrobe fitting in the hotel last night, which is right off of Hollywood Boulevard."

In the end Miss Faulkenberry went on stage in her own purple dress as the one picked out did not work with the lighting.

The Tonight Show averages 3.4 million viewers a night. Miss Faulkenberry and Mr. Maroulis were invited to be its musical act to promote the national tour of the Tony Award-winning 'Rock of Ages' musical, which they both star in.

But Miss Faulkenberry had little time to bask in the glory of her first major US television appearance. She headed straight to the Los Angeles Airport once it was over.

Before taking off on Monday evening she told this paper: "It was awesome! My hair and make up was crazy, very 80s! Between make up and wardrobe touch-ups before I knew it we were recording.

"Jay Leno came into my dressing room and introduced himself. He was lovely as was [Arrested Development and 30 Rock actor] Will Arnett.

"All in all a very cool, surreal experience! Now a red eye to Boston and then two weeks of shows in Boston's Colonial Theatre. Oh life!"

Miss Faulkenberry said she kept her nerves in check by ignoring the millions of TV viewers and focusing on the intimate studio audience.

"It made it much easier," she said. Still, she was aware that many Bermudians were among the millions watching the show.

When asked if she has had much feedback from locals she said: "So many it's been overwhelming. I have received at least twice as many Facebook notifications as I get for my birthday.

"Thank you everyone who took the time to watch. Hope we rocked it out for you! Now come to the show people."

The tour runs through July 11. For more information go to: www.rockofagesmusical.com/tickets-2/us-tour/.

l Go to The Royal Gazette website at www.royalgazette.com to see the accompanying video of Miss Faulkenberry's big moment.