Check out Kidzworld’s exclusive Q&A sess with up-and-coming musical star Lauren Legato, who says, “Never be afraid of the greatness inside of you. Embrace all of the wonderful things about yourself and show the world what you are made of. There will always be people who doubt you, make fun of you, laugh at you, and tell you that you can?t do it. But let the doubters be fuel to your fire and reach the top without looking back ONCE!"
Kidzworld: When did you first start singing and writing songs?
Lauren: I started singing when I was about 8 or 9 years old in church. At that time I was too scared to do a solo so I sang background only. I didn’t start writing and recording songs until I was 12 or 13. Even at that time I was too scared to take the stage on my own.
Kidzworld: How did you take your singing and songwriting to the next level?
Lauren: Well, in the beginning I mostly wrote songs for other people. But I really took my singing and songwriting to the next level when I started to write songs for myself. I write about the things I go through in life and that helps me a lot on stage because when I sing a song it’s the truth about something I’ve felt.
Kidzworld: We read on your blog that YouTube is one of your fave things. How did YouTube help launch YOUR music career?
Lauren: YouTube has been helpful because I'm putting up my own music and my own videos of myself singing or rehearsing or sometimes just speaking on everyday life. It allows me to be personal and to be creative and I think it's the reason why people like Lauren Legato so much.
Kidzworld: Where did you get the idea of using YouTube as a medium to get your music career started?
Lauren: I decided to start using YouTube because all of my friends would always say, "Why don’t you ever sing for me?" and “When am I going to hear you sing?" but I was just too shy to sing for them personally so I began doing videos that they could watch on their own. That way, it works for both of us!
Kidzworld: When did the YouTube thing really blow up for you, in terms of really launching your career?
Lauren: Well my biggest "YouTube Sensation" was when I released the remake of "Baby" by Justin Bieber. That got me a lot of attention and people wanting to know more about me.
Kidzworld: Who are some of your fave YouTube "stars"?
Lauren: My favorite YouTube stars are Justin Bieber (who has obviously expanded out of YouTube), DulceCandy87, Da1nonlymixedqt and Zeldaxlove64.
Kidzworld: What are some of your fave songs to cover/remix?
Lauren: Most of my covers come from requests that I get on my twitter (@LaurenLegato) or comments people leave on my videos/profile on YouTube. But besides that, I just remake popular songs that I really like or can relate to?and of course ones that compliment my voice.
Kidzworld: What is your own songwriting all about?
Lauren: I always say that listening to my songs back to back is like reading the pages of my diary. I release all of my feelings in songwriting. Of course I don’t get too specific but you can be 100% sure that when you’re listening to one of my songs, it was written by me and is about a situation I have really been through.
Kidzworld: What's your best advice for kids out there who want to expose their talents to the world?
Lauren: Never be afraid of the greatness inside of you. Embrace all of the wonderful things about yourself and show the world what you are made of. There will always be people who doubt you, make fun of you, laugh at you and tell you that you can’t do it. But let the doubters be fuel to your fire and reach the top without looking back ONCE!
Kidzworld: What are some of the projects you're working on/what do you have coming up?
Lauren: Right now, I have a really huge show coming up on July 15, 2010, at the Highline Ballroom in NYC. It’s the biggest show yet for me and for my team 316 Music Group so I’m so stoked about it. In addition, I’m working on a potential television series and a compilation of all of my songs.
