Today we’d like to introduce you to Makayla Phillips.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I like to say it started from the womb LOL. My mother, and my mother’s side of the family has a long history with music, and the entertainment industry in general. My grandmother on my mom’s side was a fantastic songwriter, and my grandfather is an amazing musician, my great-grandfather had a jazz album on the Billboard Top 100 in the 1950’s, as well as my mother having a beautiful voice herself. I like to say it runs in my blood!
I first found out I could sing when I was around two years old, the movie Phantom of the Opera had completely incapsulated me!
It went from me as a baby singing in my underwear, to playing the American Idol karaoke Wii game, to actually fulfilling my dreams of being on the show itself.
I started training around 10 years old, doing everything from dance, to acting, to songwriting, etc. I had started my social media journey around that time as well. My goal was “whatever door opens first.”
Music has always been my biggest dream, and I’ve worked everyday since to achieve it.
When I was 15, I had been scouted by a local talent scout for America’s Got Talent and American Idol, shoutout Shae Wilbur! I then had the incredible opportunity to audition for my dream shows. At the time, I was actually too young to go on American Idol, so thankfully America’s Got Talent picked me up.
From there, I got to perform on one of the world’s biggest stages, and really live the dream. I had absolutely NO idea it would take me this far.
Super-model Heidi Klum gave me my golden buzzer, and I could not be more grateful for her, and that whole experience.
Since then, I’ve been on American Idol, making it all the way to the top 10 semi-finals, and working my butt off to make sure that I continue to achieve my dreams, from studio to studio, now recording my own music.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There is a lot more that goes into this career than just singing, more than people realize. From the pressures of social media, to creative blocks, down to the color you paint your nails. Something I have always struggled with, is my anxiety. Going in and out of hospitals for panic attacks and what not, it definitely hasn’t been easy.
One thing I can say is, music has always been there for me through it all. The only place I’ve truly felt at peace, is the stage.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have always had a love for the stage. Recording and songwriting are still things that I’m learning everyday. You’d think that doing this for as long as I have, I’d have it all down, but no LOL! But hey, if you’re not striving to learn everyday, are you really living?
I definitely shine the most on-stage. I feel like myself there, and I’d say that’s my biggest strength. I feel that I have the freedom to be whatever or whoever I want to be. And that’s another reason I love music so much, it’s definitely an outlet for me in more ways than one.
Something I’m most proud of, is how much I’ve been able to accomplish in such a short time, even though it feels like forever. I have to thank my parents and mentors for giving me the tools I need to get here. They’re the true heroes in my story!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My confidence and work ethic for sure, there hasn’t been a day that’s gone by where I’m not working on my craft, whether that be recording voice memos, singing in the shower, or recording in the booth at the studio.
I’ve received a lot of no’s, but it never deterred me. It just made me want to work harder, train harder. I think that’s a very important quality to have, and even if it doesn’t come naturally to you, tell yourself you have it in you!
It’s also important to surround yourself with people who want to eat just as much as you do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3jWmy4ZEloWRoAiMiHI9f7?si=h5igpA3IRv-kiytfpXjSoQ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makaylaphillipsmusic/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@MakaylaPhillipsMusic
