In an exclusive interview with Vanity Teen, we delve into the inspiring journey of Sophia, a young and talented singer who has captivated audiences with her unique blend of musical influences and heartfelt performances. Sophia’s passion for music blossomed during her childhood in California, where she grew up surrounded by a diverse array of musical genres. Her love for singing was further ignited by her move to Memphis, where she had the opportunity to work with renowned vocal coach Bob Westbrook, known for mentoring stars like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.
Sophia’s big break came at the age of seven when she won first place in a national singing competition with her stunning rendition of Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep.” This victory opened doors to numerous opportunities, allowing her to collaborate with acclaimed producers such as Marc Williams and Christopher ‘C-Ray’ Roberts, shaping her distinct sound and musical style.
In our interview, Sophia shares valuable lessons learned from her mentors, the significance of her bilingual roots, and her dedication to philanthropy. Her latest single, “Cuidado,” beautifully integrates both English and Spanish, reflecting her cultural heritage and artistic vision. As Sophia continues to rise in the music industry, she remains committed to creating empowering music and giving back to the community, making her a true inspiration for young artists everywhere.
Photographer:
Kelsey Hale
https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_hale/?hl=en
Cover Designer;
Paula Fdez. https://www.instagram.com/pauulette.ee?igsh=bHBrenBtdTcxaGpt
Wardrobe Stylist:
Veronica Graye
https://www.instagram.com/veronica.graye/?hl=en
Makeup and Hair:
Emily Zempel
https://www.instagram.com/emilyzempel/?hl=en
PR:
ICON PR
https://www.instagram.com/icon_pr/?hl=en
Sophia, can you share more about your childhood memories and how moving from California to Memphis influenced your passion for music?
Throughout my childhood, I was very passionate about music and singing. I grew up listening to all types of music around the house. I also loved the show Hannah Montana as a little girl and wanted to do what she did. Moving from Memphis to California influenced my passion for music in both places. LA is where I do my music, and at a young age, I started working with vocal coach Bob Westbrook in Memphis, Tennesse who also taught artists like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake after a couple of years working with him, he took men in LA, to a competition called IPOP.
Your first big break came with an audition at the age of 5. How did it feel to perform Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” at such a young age?
It was a big jump in my career. I was 7 years old, and I won first place in singing out of thousands of contestants. It was eye-opening because I had no experience in competitions or auditions, and winning was a big deal. It led to many callbacks with big producers, managers, and agencies.
Working with vocal guru Bob Westbrook must have been an incredible experience. What was one of the most valuable lessons you learned from him?
I learned so much from him. He meant so much to me and was, indeed, like family. He taught me that success is when hard work meets opportunity, which was a precious lesson.
Winning the top spot at the national IPOP competition in 2014 was a major milestone. How did that victory impact your music career?
It really was the start of my whole career; it was major and opened up a lot of doors for me at a young age.
You’ve collaborated with some impressive producers like Marc Williams and Christopher ‘C-Ray’ Roberts. How have these collaborations shaped your sound and musical style?
Working with them both has truly impacted my career. I still work with them to this day, and my creativity and goals in the studio aren’t limited by them. The ideas I have really come to life working with Cray Roberts.
Your song “Beside Me” focuses on empowering listeners to embrace their uniqueness. What inspired you to write this track?
Beside Me was such a fun song to write. I wanted a feel-good song that my listeners could really relate to and just enjoy. I believe it’s super important to write feel-good songs and something that feels very empowering.
Being bilingual and having both Mexican and American roots, how do you balance these cultural influences in your music?
I recently just created a song called Cuidado, and it is both in English and in Spanish. I had a really fun time bringing in those pop and reggaeton elements into the song,
You’ve supported projects like Thirst for Life, which brings clean water to people in Africa. What motivates you to engage in philanthropic activities?
I really enjoyed spreading awareness about the Thirst for Life project and anything related to giving back. I have also recently been very involved with the JED foundation and enjoy working with them.
Performing the national anthem for the Memphis Grizzlies and the Memphis Redbirds must be thrilling. Can you describe what those experiences were like for you?
Singing the national anthem for both teams in a stadium as big as the FedEx Forum was an incredible feeling. I enjoy singing the national anthem and have recently also sung for the Clemson baseball team.
Your new bilingual single “Cuidado” is now out in the world! What can fans take away from this track, and what does it mean to you to incorporate both English and Spanish into your music?
I want the listeners to have fun listening to it, dancing, and enjoying it with friends. It’s a really fun song, and it even had us dancing when we created it. It meant a lot to me to show both sides of me in a song. Writing in both English and Spanish has been something I’ve wanted to do for a while now, and Cuidado felt like the perfect song to do that with.