Actress, Model, Singer, Songwriter, Musician and the youngest recording artist on Storm Central, LLC/SSMG Universal Music Group Distribution roster Janelle Nucum. At just 15 years old she is on over 600 music outlets globally!
Q: What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
Ans: “Work hard, do your best and God will do the rest”. My mom and grandma have been telling me this since I was a little girl and it has always stuck to me.
Q: For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words?
Ans:Relatable, empowering, encouraging, inspiring and motivating.
Q: Do you write all of your own music; where do you draw inspiration from when you write songs and what’s your favorite part about the process?
Ans:I co-wrote my debut single “Pages” and haven’t stopped writing since then. To me, songwriting is simply telling a story about what you really desire and what you really feel and putting it all in a song. My favorite part about the process is just letting everything I feel and everything I want to say out.
Q: If you could perform with anyone, in the future, who would it have to be?
Ans: I would love to perform with Adele. She has been my musical inspiration since I was 8 years old. I actually sang her song “Rolling in the Deep” for one of my very first recitals. I just love how she can command the stage with just her powerful voice. It would be such a dream of mine to share the stage with her.
Q: Do you have any events coming up or recording going on right now?
Ans: We are currently working on my music video for my song “Pages” and mostly just focusing on the promo for the song since it is my debut single. I am still writing songs, the inspiration never goes away and hopefully you’ll hear more from me in the future.
Q: Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to sing as a career or just advice about careers in general?
Ans: Work hard and never give up. It might sound cliché but nothing happens overnight. Strive to be the best at what you want to do and be passionate about it. With perseverance, persistence, determination and drive, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. You will get so many “No’s” before you get a “Yes” and you just have to believe in yourself and know that you can do it. Then take all the “No’s” you received and use it as motivation to be better.
Q: If you had a soundtrack to your life what song/songs would have to be on it?
Ans:I would put my song “Pages” of course, it is the song that says everything I’ve always wanted to say. I don’t want to be a random face in the yearbook and I hope that others can relate to that as well. Also, any Adele, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande song would have to be on it because of how empowered these women make me feel. I would also have Ed Sheeran on it, I am such a big fan of him and his music. It’s one of my dreams to write a song with him one day.
Q: What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town?
Ans:I have been singing since I was 2 years old. When I learned how to talk, I learned how to sing. My mom says I would sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and the “Alphabet Song” all day long. I would always sing and act in front of the mirror and my mom knew that there was something special about me. I also loved Hannah Montana and High School Musical. I would always put on little shows for my mom in my Hannah Montana wig and microphone singing my heart out to every single song.
Q: Have you been in competitions? Any prizes?
Ans:I joined a national singing and acting competition in Los Angeles, California and won both a placement as a Junior Commercial Print Model and Junior Singer of the Year.
Q: How do you balance your music with other obligations – school, job?
Ans:School is my main priority. I do my engagements with singing and acting after school on weekdays and during the weekends. I use time management skills to make sure I accomplish everything that is on my schedule. Despite of my busy schedule, I still manage to maintain my 4.0 GPA.
