TEMECULA -- A little girl finds a snow globe and wistfully admires the swirling white flakes. Then, if by magic, she's transported inside the globe and is dancing in a winter wonderland with her favorite music idol.

This is one of four scenarios where twins Crystal and Camille McNeal, 9, are featured with rhythm and blues singer Ashanti in her new promotional music video. Set in a holiday theme, the video shows highlights from four of Ashanti's songs listed on her CD "Ashanti's Christmas."

"They just found out the day before filming that they were selected for the part, so there was no real rehearsal," said their mother, Michele McNeal. "They ad-libbed everything, which really impressed the director."

The McNeal family -- with grandmother Geneva Scott in tow -- recently moved to Murrieta from Illinois. The girls had already demonstrated their talent in community theater there. Realizing their potential, their mom signed them up with Los Angeles talent manager Myrna Lieberman. Lieberman made the video deal with the Los Angeles-based Cindy Osbrink Talent Agency and signed the twins for their first professional gig.

"We didn't have to audition," said Crystal, who is older by eight minutes. "We were chosen on our good looks," she said, giggling.

Camille echoed her sister's thoughts. "They needed two cute twins, so they chose us," she said.

The identical twins said it was like a dream come true to work with their idol, Ashanti.

"I was really excited 'cause I listen to a lot of her songs," said Crystal.

Crystal said she was in shock. "Then I became really excited when the day finally came," she said.

During rehearsal, it took about five takes to complete each scene.

"They weren't nervous, but I sure was," their mom said. "But Ashanti and her mother were so kind. It was like an intimate family gathering."

Already, the twins have received positive feedback -- not only from their friends at Buchanan Elementary School, but from the Cartoon Network and Chevrolet Corp. The twins recently auditioned to be in commercials for both entities and got a call back from Chevrolet.

The twins have their sights set on professions that include acting.

"I'd still like to be an actor and a piano player," said Camille, who has already composed a song. "But I'd also like to be a teacher 'cause I like to teach kids new things."

Crystal watches the Discovery Health Channel and wants to be a doctor.

"When I watch doctor shows on TV, I think it's really interesting," she said. "But I'd like to be an actor, too.

"Hey, I could be a doctor on TV -- that'd work," she said, giggling at her logic.