As I get older I find more and more people who inspire me. As crazy as it seems, Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance is a huge inspiration to me. My voice changed a lot this year and I was ready to give up, but listening to his lyrics and learning about him made me say I can do this. I am still amazed by Connie Francis and I think its cool that she sings in so many different languages, Brenda Lee and Kay Starr are huge inspirations! One of the first videos I watched on You Tube was Frankie Lymon, my biggest Male inspiration. He was an amazing singer and performer (I never grow tired of singing any of his songs)! I also love Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Christina Perri and Rhianna.
What are your future plans?
I really would like to be a singer, actress and model for Betsey Johnson. I am starting to learn piano, guitar and find out whats the best fit. I just started a journal and working on original songs. I also plan on becoming a Chef and opening my own restaurant one day.
What are your likes & hobbies?
Of course singing. I love cooking and baking, enjoy my friends, shopping, texting, the beach, Geocaching and sometimes just being lazy!
What Are Some Random Facts about you?
I love Glee, Cupcake Wars, Jersey Shore, Chopped and Survivor. I am actually addicted to Food Network. I love Pigs, I hate spiders actually I hate all bugs. I am petrified of clowns! I am very shy in life, but on stage I prefer a huge audience. I have probably watched Annie & Grease more than anybody that I know. I like anything with the Eiffel Tower on it. I am obsessed with makeup. I love Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance :)
What are your most memorable performances?
There is one that sticks out in my mind. I really enjoy performing at Nursing Homes and there is this one home where most of the patients are really ill. One lady had to be pushed out to see me perform in her bed. The nurses told me she didn't talk, but she hears. After the show that woman raised her hand and started crying and telling me thank you for singing Connie Francis songs. She especially loved my rendition of Mama. Everyone was crying because that woman spoke. I still cry when I think of her.
Sitting in the conference room at Sony Records and hearing my song played while they listened was crazy!
Taking a tour bus for an Oldies Show. Staying in a hotel, getting treated like a star and being on the bus with my inspirations was one of the most exciting times!
The Apollo Theater. When I was on the stage and looked into the full audience it was a moment I realized that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life!
Even though I was so nervous performing at the Friars Club it was one of the coolest places I've been to!
I auditioned for a show online called Majors & Minors out of 40,000 kids they called me and flew me out to California they only picked like 50 kids to come back for second auditions. I didn't make the final cut but it was a truly amazing time and an experience I will never forget.
Performing the National Anthem with Governor Cuomo standing next to me!!!
What advice do you have for other kids your age?
I am not the most popular girl in school and ok with it. I am often very shy and quiet. Many people figure because I am on stage a lot I am this overly confident loud person, but I'm quite the opposite. I guess most kids think of me as an outcast because I enjoy singing music that most kids don't get. Most people would be surprised to know that I don't have a ton of friends.. People like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, & Gerard Way were laughed at because they were different and they have encouraged me to stay true to who I am. I don't want to be like everyone else. It gets tough sometimes, having people stare me down in the hallways at school but I have the love and support of my parents and brothers and it gets me through it!
My advice is to stick with your dreams no matter what. Don't change for anybody. Its not always going to be easy but it feels good to be the ONLY girl around singing the oldies rather than another just another girl singing pop songs. I know that even if your the best singer in the world there will always be people that don't like you. Just sing for the people that do like you! Right now I am happy being me!