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Charlotte
Sits down with MTV Asia for an Interview |
Charlotte Church: Waving hello to Southeast Asia
By Yong Shu Hoong
Charlotte Church may only be 13, but she has experiences neatly tucked into her resume that few adults can boast of.
First of all, the young soprano lays claim to two top-selling Sony Classical albums -- "Voice Of An Angel" and (released in November 1999) "Charlotte Church." "Voice Of An Angel" has also been certified Gold, making Church the youngest classical artist ever to achieve this feat.
Born in Wales, Church has charmed her way into the hearts of millions of listeners worldwide with her stunning renditions of songs like "Pie Jesu," "Ave Maria," and "Amazing Grace." Her new song "Just Wave Hello" is also used in Ford Motor's recent TV commercial.
At her tender age, Church has performed at prestigious events -- like the Prince of Wales' 50th birthday celebration in London and Pope John Paul II's Christmas concert at the Vatican. She has also sung at the opening of the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff (before the Queen), and at the Ford Theatre in Washington, DC (before President and Mrs. Clinton).
In addition, she has appeared on TV shows such as the Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She is also the youngest artist to reach the Top 30 in the U.S. album charts and the youngest with a Top 5 hit in the U.K. album charts.
But talents and successes aside, Church shows that she is what she is -- a 13-year-old who rollerblades and listens to pop music ala Lauryn Hill and Alanis Morissette. MTV Asia Online's Yong Shu Hoong catches up with her during her brief promotional stopover in Singapore.
MTV Asia Online: Being successful at such a young age, do you feel that you have in any way missed out on certain aspects of your childhood?
Charlotte Church: No, not really, because I still get to go to school. Obviously, when I'm away on the road, I have a private tutor who tutors me for three hours a day. When I go home, I go back to school, I see my friends, and I do normal things that other teenagers do -- like shopping and going to the movies. I also do rollerblading and play computer games. [RealAudio]
MTV: You've been to many different parts of the world during your trips to promote your music. Which country or city has left the deepest impression on you?
Charlotte: Tokyo. I was there last April, and tonight, we're going back there again. I mean, the people there were fantastic -- like the people here. Well, we've only come to Singapore yesterday but I'd love to spend more time here. Well, hopefully, I'll be coming back again soon. I'm going to ask Sony U.K., "Please let me come back!"
MTV: Is this your first time here in Singapore?
Charlotte: Yeah, the first time. It's also my first time in Southeast Asia. Hopefully, we'll get to go to one of the islands of Malaysia for a holiday.
MTV: In terms of pop music, what do you listen to?
Charlotte: I listen to Lauryn Hill, Alanis Morissette, 5ive, Travis, Stereophonics, Steps, Travis...
MTV: Do you listen to any classical music at all?
Charlotte: Not really.
MTV: Just a little bit?
Charlotte: Um, no, I don't actually! (laughs)
MTV: Do you think you will make a kind of a pop crossover in future?
Charlotte: Maybe in a couple of years, but I can't be sure yet, so... I'm not really sure.
MTV: You've had to deal with many record executives, and you've also met many people in the pop world, like George Michael, Elton John, and Will Smith... Do you feel like you've had to become very adult to deal with all these adults?
Charlotte: Only at times. I mean, I would say I have to be quite responsible when I'm making decisions or when I meet people and stuff like that, but... no, not all the time. Well, meeting the Pope was amazing. And also, President Clinton, the Queen, Prince Charles. I also met Jodie Foster, Danny DeVito -- he was lovely -- and Jennifer Lopez. They are all really nice. I've never met anyone who's been nasty to me.
MTV: Can you describe the kind of joy or other kinds of feelings that you experience when you open your mouth to sing?
Charlotte: I don't really think of anything in particular. My mind just goes completely blank. It's kind of a weird sensation. (The emotions) just come out without me even thinking about it.
MTV: Obviously, your songs have touched people of all ages. If you could compose and sing a song to reach out to young people around your own age, to encourage and to inspire them, what would you be singing about?
Charlotte: Now that's a really difficult question! I guess my message would be: Work hard! If I was trying to give advice to somebody who wants to be famous or who has a good voice or could dance or act well, I'd just say that you've got to be prepared to work hard and be dedicated. Just be nice to everybody. Be nice to everybody on your way up, and on your way down, they'll be kind to you.
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