Rising Star

Move over Alicia Keys! New singing sensation Paula DeAnda is making waves on the R&B scene.

At the young age of six, Paula DeAnda was already playing the piano and belting out tunes at her local church. Four years later, she started recording her first tracks. Fast-forward to the present day and the now 16-year-old singer/songwriter has a record deal with Clive Davis’s label, Arista Records, her hit single “Doing Too Much” is soaring on the U.S. music charts, and talk of an upcoming tour are imminent. For Paula, it’s all in a day’s work. FASHION18’s Lara Ceroni catches up with the brunette beauty to chat about her love affair with music, who her major influences are, and why the world doesn’t need another Paris Hilton.

FASHION18: When did you first fall in love with music?

Paula DeAnda: Music has always been in my blood, since I was a very little girl. At six years old I was playing the piano and I loved it. Unfortunately I didn’t stick with it—my fault!—but I started to really focus on my singing instead. That’s what I’ve always loved to do. I’d sing at church, weddings, festivals, you name it. I wanted to be everywhere!

F18: What would you sing?

P.D.: Mostly gospel music and cover songs: LeAnn Rimes, Shania Twain, Michelle Branch were favourites. I also loved Selena—she had such a beautiful voice. I wanted my voice to get out there any way I could. You never know what could happen! When I was 10 years old I went into the studio to record my first songs. It was incredible.

F18: Who are some of your musical influences?

P.D.: As of right now, I’m in love with Alicia Keys. I think she’s amazing. I’d love to record a song with her—hint, hint! I really admire her voice and how she can sing like she does and play piano at the same time. Beyond that, she has such a warm soul and spirit. She’s really down-to-earth and not at all stuck-up. She’s real. Beyoncé is another one, of course. I love her vibe and flavour of her music.

F18: Why do you want to be a pop star?

P.D.: Since I can remember, pursuing a music career was always in the cards for me. Growing up I used to watch music shows on TV and say to myself over and over, What if? My journey hasn’t been easy and I get frustrated sometimes when people refer to me as an “overnight success”—it didn’t happen that way. I started singing when I was six and I just recently got signed and I’m 16 years old. I’ve been on the road for 10 years now trying to make things happen. It took a while and I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am today. Finally it’s paid off and I feel eternally grateful. Being onstage is the most incredible feeling in the world. I love that people can relate to my songs. If my fans cry or laugh when they hear my music, if I can get any type of response from them, then I’m doing my job!

F18: What is the best thing about being a pop star?

P.D.: The perks. There are a lot of perks being in this business. People send you a lot of stuff, I have offers to be sponsored; the love is just amazing. I’m most touched when I get personal emails from my fans, from girls and boys telling me I helped them through a relationship or they can really relate to what I’m saying in my songs.

F18: The worst part?

PD: The hours you put into your work. I’ll record till really late at night then have to get up at the crack of dawn to catch a flight. There’s no way of getting around the long hours and the hard work. It’s not always just fun and games! And I hate airports, especially early in the morning!

F18: What is your hit single “Doing Too Much” about?

P.D.: Growing up with two older sisters, I always felt like the ugly duckling. They were always considered the pretty ones, the girls who should go into modelling. I was known as the talented one, yeah, but I never felt beautiful. It brought me down a bit. But now that I’m older, I really have confidence in myself and it took me awhile to realize it. “Doing Too Much” is all about your self-esteem and how you have to love yourself first and foremost. Once you have that confidence, nothing else will stop you.

F18: What do you think about the Paris Hiltons and Lindsay Lohans of the world? Do you think they’re sending the right image to young girls?

P.D.: My thing is that I’ve always wanted to present myself right. A lot of people tell me I’m really poised for being so young and I think that’s why I love Alicia Keys so much—you don’t see her wearing skimpy clothes just to get attention. She’s elegant and carries herself with confidence and security. You don’t have to show off your body to be considered beautiful or sexy like Paris Hilton does, or Lindsay Lohan. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there and you have to stay focused. I realize girls look up to me and I will always carry that in the back of my mind. I hope I’m presenting myself right to the girls who are the same age as me. I want to be known for being classy, not trashy.

F18: How do you define your personal style?

P.D.: I’m not really a high-heels girl. I’m wearing them today because it’s a special occasion! Otherwise, I’m a sneakers kind of girl. I love leggings, capri pants, skirts. Simple, casual and cute—that’s me! Baby Phat is my favourite label right now. You can dress their clothes up or down and I’m in love with their hoodies! Growing up I was not a girlie-girl. I hung with the boys, played track and basketball. I’m slowing becoming a woman and am now experimenting with my feminine side a bit. I’m obsessed with accessories—earrings, especially!

F18: What’s the best way to spend a Saturday night with your girlfriends?

P.D.: Dancing, dancing and more dancing. Yes, I still go to the teen clubs… I’m only 16! I also love to go to movies, or go out for a bite to eat.

F18: What is your beauty ritual?

P.D.: I wash my face religiously, even if I’m exhausted. I’m out there in the public eye, so I have an image to maintain. But, hey, I still get pimples. I’m just like everybody else!

F18: What would you bring with you if you were stranded on a desert island?

P.D.: Water to survive—hello! Honeybuns—I love those…. and music to keep me going!

F18: Favourite karaoke song?

P.D.: “Game of Love”by Michelle Branch. And the American National anthem—I sing it every chance I get.

By Lara Ceroni

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