Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorea Turner.
Hi Lorea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am from Indianapolis, Indiana! I have been doing music what it seems like, forever. My love started at 10 years old when I didn’t want to watch Disney movies with my sisters. I would go upstairs and play my little Yamaha keyboard. “Fur Elise” is the very first song I learned how to play. That’s what started my love for music. I loved classical music at the time and taught myself how to play by ear.
I knew I wanted to be an artist officially when Rihanna dropped her music video for “Unfaithful.” I was so obsessed with her and that song, it was the first song I ever learned how to play AND sing. I listened and studied women like Alicia Keys and YouTube sensation at the time, Christina Grimmie — it was something about women who knew how to play the piano that really captivated me. I didn’t know I could sing, I just knew I loved it.
I kept my talents to myself until I was a sophomore in high school. My cousin Cammy bet me 10 bucks to post a video on Vine. I was terrified to sing in public and hated to sing in front of people, but I wanted McDonald’s money so I did it. To my surprise, I woke up with like 1,000 loops (views). I was so shook and kept posting, where it eventually connected me to other artists and got me so much attention by celebrities and people in the actual music industry. I ended up singing on Instagram when they first came out the 15-second videos and they went viral on there, too. I was really going up, whole time I was just happy that people actually took notice of my talents.
I kept singing. I kept posting. It led me to some pretty incredible things! When I was a freshman in college, Jessie J flew me out to New York just to sing with me and meet me, and Demi Lovato ended up reacting to my cover of hers on a video for Glamour Magazine.
I ended up going into a management agreement that didn’t out, but I am extremely grateful for the lessons I learned. It got me started into the business. I made great music with some of the best of the best producers and songwriters—all while being a full-time college student. I ended up having to drop out because I was never physically at school. I was always traveling! For like five years straight, I spent my life traveling, recording in the studio and doing showcases for labels.
Jump to now, I am 25 and I am so very grateful for the timing of everything. I dropped a song called “Secrets” in April 2021. It isn’t a single or anything, just a song that I dropped to let people know like HEY! I’m not just a cover artist, so here’s something that I wrote, that I love…that I can share. I also now have a solid team behind me. I’ve been able to perform on some pretty amazing stages. I was graced with the opportunity to perform at H.E.R’s “Lights On” Festival summer 2022. I am still based in Indianapolis, IN as of now, and when I’m here I am a teacher. So that’s fun!
After years of being in the studio and finding out who I am as an artist, I am about to drop my music this summer. The project is done and ready to go. I’m excited for people to hear ME, and not just my voice on a cover.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Omg, no, I feel like true success is never a smooth road. Like I stated before, I really had a hard time singing live which really hindered me the first year I really got my foot in the door. I have done countless of showcases with major labels, and you HAVE to be able to sing on spot. I use to be so nervous, I sounded horrible. The more you do it and the more self-confidence you get, it gets easier. I still get nervous, but I don’t allow it to hinder me anymore. It actually fuels me now.
Many people don’t know how much self-discipline and the many sacrifices you have to make to pursue music. You can’t hang out all day. You can’t just sleep in. I dropped out of college. Hell, some days you might have to live off that savings….it can be a lot! Also, people in this business will take advantage of young women. I was really gullible to a lot of situations, but I don’t regret anything. It has shaped who I am. I’m still young and I’m still learning!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a singer, musician, songwriter, actress, teacher, aunt, sister, and daughter…I am most proud of not letting life take me under LOL! No, but I am proud of myself for staying true to myself. I am most proud to be able to pursue my dreams. Not everyone has the courage or opportunity to pursue so strongly.
My first full video I ever posted has over 30 million views on YouTube, so I think I’m most known for that. I also have fun on TikTok doing these “teaching my boyfriend how to sing” videos and a lot of people will stop me and be like, “hey are you that girl who……!”
What sets me apart from others? I am 100% authentically myself. No one can be me. That is my superpower.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/loreaturner
- Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/loreaturnermusic
- Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/loreaturner
- Youtube: http://www.YouTube.com/loreaturner
Image Credits
Steve Jennings Katherine Hamilton
