I won 3000 dollars (I'm not joking) – My Raise Your Voice Experience
You know that feeling when you step onto a stage, the lights hit your face, and for a moment, everything else fades away? That’s exactly what happened to me at the Raise Your Voice singing competition in Hollywood. And guess what? I walked away with first place—and a giant $3,000 check to prove it!
The Raise Your Voice competition is no joke. It brings together some of the most talented young singers from all over the country, each one ready to leave their heart on the stage. The moment I heard about it, I knew I had to go for it. Competitions like this push me to grow, and honestly, I love a challenge.
I chose two of my all-time favorite songs for the competition: Never Enough (because it’s vocally intense and so emotional) and Rise Up (because it’s all about resilience and strength). Both songs require power, control, and deep connection, so I knew I had to bring my absolute best.
Walking onto that stage, I felt my heart racing. But as soon as the first notes played, I took a deep breath and let the music take over.
The moment I hit the high notes in Never Enough, I could feel the energy shift in the room. It’s always surreal to see people completely absorbed in your performance, hanging on every note. When I moved into Rise Up, I poured my soul into every lyric, knowing this was my chance to make an impact.
After all the performances, we stood backstage, waiting for the results. I told myself, No matter what happens, I gave it my all.
Then, they announced my name. First place.
I actually froze for a second—did they just say my name? And then, the next thing I knew, I was holding this massive check with my name on it. $3,000. I wasn’t dreaming. I actually won.
To everyone who has supported me on this journey, thank you. I can’t wait to see where the next stage takes me. And who knows? Maybe next time, I’ll be writing about another big win. 😉
Until then—keep dreaming big and singing louder. 🎶💫
The Night I Met Kelly Preston
In 2018, I had the incredible opportunity to perform in a play based on The Greatest Showman. At just 8 years old, I played the role of one of the main character’s daughters and sang A Million Dreams. It was one of my first big performances, and instead of being nervous, I was absolutely thrilled. The excitement of being on stage, the bright lights, and the energy of the audience made the experience unforgettable.
But what made that night even more special was meeting Kelly Preston.
Yes—the Kelly Preston, the stunning actress known for her roles in Jerry Maguire, Mischief, and Twins. She was in the audience that night, and after the show, she was so moved that she asked to speak with me.
When we met, she had tears in her eyes. She hugged me tightly and congratulated me on my performance. I could tell she genuinely meant every word, and her kindness made the moment feel even more surreal. It’s one thing to perform in front of an audience, but to have someone as inspiring as Kelly be so touched by my performance was beyond anything I could have imagined.
