Bellaboo’s Next Singing Sensation
Bellaboo’s Next Singing Sensation was announced on September 4th and I am more than honored to introduce you to the lovely winner, Tyné Angela Freeman! Since the first time I watched Tyné perform the Bellaboo Girl song, I could tell her character, charisma, and talents embodied that of a true Bellaboo Girl all around.
I had the chance to interview Tyné and I am super excited for you all to read more about our Sing for Self-Esteem winner!
Can you share a little bit about yourself and your dreams?
I’m seventeen years old and I just graduated from high school. Initially, my dream was to go to Brown University and study entrepreneurship but I was wait listed by them and it was kind of a curve ball so I decided to take a gap year. I’m trying to stay open to different possibilities but for as long as I could remember I wanted to be a singer. My first performance was in the 6th grade at a talent show and I played the piano and sang a song by Alicia Keys. After that performance, I realized that it was what I wanted to do. I started a YouTube channel when I got in high school and gradually set up a studio in my bedroom. Just music, all things music, I love it so I try to do as much as I can.
Who would you say is your biggest inspiration?
My mom is a really big inspiration to me. She’s really genuinely supportive of me. She gives me so much advice and guidance. She’s a great role model and a great person. I really look up to her and she’s beautiful on the inside and outside and that is something I really try to mirror.
To you, what makes a person beautiful?
Beauty is something that shines from the inside out. I just read a quote actually, it says: “People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” I thought it was a really great quote, it’s just about what’s on the inside. If you have a light on the inside it’s going to shine through and people are going to see it and recognize them.
How do you find out about the Sing for Self-Esteem contest?
I was on Twitter and I follow this organization called @volunTEENnation, they tweet about all sorts of opportunites for young people that usually have kind of a positive theme. I had saw this tweet that said: “Do you have a passion for music, you should enter this contest.” I’ve been out of town a lot this summer and saw the deadline was before I would be home so I wasn’t going to be able to enter, but then I saw that the contest was extended so it ended up working out.
What was your biggest reason for entering the contest?
When I saw that it had such a positive theme and then I saw that it was centered around self-esteem and I think that’s so important. I thought that this was something that I should definitely do.
You did such an amazing job at making your version of the Bellaboo Girl song all about you, so how much work did you actually put into your entry?
I listened to the song while I was in Florida and I got a feel for it and learned the words, but didn’t know if I could actually enter. When I got home and finally got to a keyboard and I realized that you guys had extended the date. I changed it around. First, I made a piano cover for it and then I had it a certain way and practiced it like that and then I was going to submit it. But, then I decided that I wanted to make it sound more Bellaboo-ish, like girly and carefree. I had it in a minor key, initially, then I changed it to a major key and made it sound more upbeat and happy. It had phases and it took some time to develop and get it to a point where I liked it. I practiced it every day for a few minutes and then I recorded it.
I’m sure you have the song memorized by heart now, I know I do. So, Bellaboo is going to fly you out to Los Angeles for our Sing for Self-Esteem festival, so I want to know what you’re most excited about.
Wow! I am so excited about everything! I real excited to get to work inside Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins’ studio. Just because I’ve followed him for a while now and I think he’s so awesome, so that is definitely going to be a high point, but I think the whole trip is going to be such a high point.
So how did you feel and what was your reaction when Snezna had called you to let you know that you had won?
Oh my gosh, I spent the whole day feeling anxious so I was kind of on edge. I was playing my piano, actually, when she had called. I was at my keyboard and I heard my phone vibrating and I looked down and saw that it was a random number and I was like: maybe this is Bellaboo, maybe. I answered and it was you all. I almost cried, I was just really elated. It felt surreal. It was a really great feeling. I had never won anything like this.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Basically, this contest promotes all the right things and it was an amazing opportunity! I’m so honored to have won. I’m sure every girl who entered is amazing and beautiful. It takes courage to even enter this kind of thing, so you guys are all winners. I know it sounds cliche, but it’s true. Just thank you so much to Bellaboo for being such an awesome organization and thank you to everyone who made this happen!
Check out Tyné perform the Bellaboo Girl song below!
Brittany Ciara
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