The Columbian | Serving Clark County, Washington

Awards show red carpets appear on TV to stretch on and on as starlets glide past a sea of flashing light bulbs and admiring fans. But Katelynne Cox was surprised to find the red carpet she walked at a Grammy Awards after-party to be fairly short.

“It was about the length of my bedroom, and more burgundy than red,” said Cox, a 15-year-old from Camas who modeled at a Supermodels Unlimited post-awards show fête at Avalon in Hollywood.

Cox attended the party as part of the talent, modeling a denim skirt, short-sleeved shirt and skinny tie by Wet Cement, as well as patent-leather red boots.

“It was really exciting. I loved my shoes. They’re really cute,” said Cox, adding that she got to keep the outfit.

Cox was invited to model through her connection with Supermodels Unlimited magazine. She appears on the cover of the February/March issue, and was featured in the previous issue, as well.

Cox enjoys modeling, but singing is her true passion. Cox’s EP, “Unbelievable,” came out in 2008 on her independent label, KC Records. Currently, she’s working on her second CD, an album that marks her first full-length effort. She leaves for Nashville today to continue recording.

Being at a Grammys after-party offered Cox a glimpse into the upper echelon of the music industry. It’s a world she’d love one day to be a part of.

“It definitely was very inspirational,” she said. “It just shows me I have that much more to work for and that much more to look forward to.”

Cox had the opportunity to see several celebrities at the party who have already achieved the level of fame to which she aspires. Gilles Marini from “Sex and the City: The Movie” and “Dancing With the Stars” hosted the event, and singer Jessie James performed.

At the Mondrian Los Angeles, the hotel where Cox, her mother, Wendy Sturm, and her stepfather, Ernie Sturm, stayed, Cox spotted actress Nicole Kidman.

“That was really cool. She’s beautiful, just as beautiful as you see her in the movies,” Cox said. Her stepfather saw “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert, she noted.

Cox had her paparazzi moment on the red carpet at Avalon, which she walked in a BCBG gown after her modeling gig.

“It was cool. There were a bunch of photographers there. I’m really glad I got to participate,” she said.

It was a quick trip to Los Angeles for the sophomore at La Salle Catholic College Preparatory in Milwaukie, Ore. She arrived the afternoon of Jan. 30 and headed to Santa Monica to enjoy a little time on the beach playing the ukulele with Ernie. Then it was off to rehearsals.

On Jan. 31, the day of the Grammys, Cox was on the go from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. the next day. She got about two hours of sleep before flying back to Portland early Feb. 1. She missed her first class period but made it through the rest of the school day despite her exhausting weekend.

Even with the hectic schedule, it’s an experience she’d love to repeat.

“I’d do it every day of my life,” she said.

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