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10 Questions with ... Andrada
November 16, 2020
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1. Your career started at a very young age. When did you know that you were musically inclined?
I was 7 years old when my mom first took me to a singing lesson after we came back from a trip to Turkey in which I apparently sang the entire time. The vocal coach said that I have great potential and that I should start going to music contests. I took her advice, I trained intensively and within two years I acquired no less than 30 trophies across Europe. In 2008 I was very fortunate to represent my native country, Romania, at Eurovision. It all got serious from there.
2. Explain what it was like to get such a big break at age 13?
I believe the right word would be UNEXPECTED. When I auditioned for the series I did not think for a second that I could actually get the part. I had to compete against 30,000 other really talented people from all across the country so when I got cast I was in utter shock. I remember tripping over the wires when they called out my name. Being in the TV series and becoming a member of La La Band was definitely my ‘break’ into both the acting world and the pop music scene. We were awarded ‘TV Series Of The Year,’ as well as best selling album and even had a documentary about us. For a 15-year old, that was the dream and more. Being on set every day and touring in over 30 cities from such a young age has definitely shaped my vision and my path. I feel very fortunate to be able to say that I have decided on my career from a very young age and all I have done since has been working on my craft, refining and perfecting it.
3. What role did your upbringing play in the way that your life has unfolded?
I grew up in a pretty strict environment, with both my parents being very hard workers so I’ve always been told to do my absolute best. Perfectionism is the blessing and the curse that runs in the family as we live by the saying ‘go big or go home’ and most days I realize it’s impossible to be perfect all the time. Sometimes I overwork myself and I find it impossible to stop. Once I set my mind on a goal, it becomes my number one priority. People always tell me I’m too hard on myself so I am still trying to find the balance, the happy medium. I wouldn’t be where I am if my parents wouldn’t have been so tough on me. It definitely made me grow up prematurely but they have been supportive of my career and of me moving to London so ultimately I am grateful for how things turned out.
4. You’re both a singer and an actress. Is it easy for you to slide in and out of those parts of your work life?
Yes, absolutely. I feel very fortunate to be a singer-songwriter-actor. I moved to London in 2016 to study Musical Theatre just to make sure that I don’t have to give up one or the other. I have trained as both an actor and a singer because I have always wanted to be taken seriously on all fronts. I have definitely been very lucky over the past 10 years to be doing TV shows, series and theatre as well as my solo career as a singer. In my experience, I never fully needed to slide in and out. I always looked at it as ‘taking turns.’ I love both individually, but when the two come together in a project, my heart bursts with excitement.
5. What’s it like when you’re able to combine the two things at the same time?
Oh, as I said, it’s the absolute best feeling. Nothing makes me happier. I genuinely get in a state of euphoria and pure happiness. Art in general brings me so much joy so whenever I get to combine acting and singing I get ecstatic.
6. Your new song for the holiday season “A Different Kind Of Christmas” covers many emotional bases. What was it that made you want to jump in to the Christmas music world?
I have always wanted to release a Christmas song as it is my favorite holiday and I love listening to festive music. This year has been really tough on all of us and I wanted to create something that would bring people together and remind them that we are all a bit messed up, but it’s ok because we are in this together. I know ‘Different Kind of Christmas’ is not the usual happy Christmas song people would expect, but I wanted to stay true to my emotions and to what I really think about 2020 as I am sure many others experience the same feelings of loneliness, confusion and sadness. I couldn’t come out with a song about how happy I feel when everyone else is trying to find a way out of the chaos. It may be a sad bop, but it’s still a hopeful one as I know that we will get through this very soon.
Check it out out here: Andrada - Different Kind Of Christmas (Aggressive Music Group)
7. Do you have a favorite Christmas memory?
It’s really hard to pick one, I am just a fan of Christmas in general…the coziness of it, the twinkling of the lights, decorating the tree, the smell of candles, all the delicious meals and playing board games listening to Michael Buble on repeat! Presents are always welcome, but for me Christmas has always been more about the feeling of warmth it gives me rather than the material side.
8. The video for your song “Unbreakable’ got a lot of attention and praise for being so powerful and inclusive. What was it like as that all happened for you?
“Unbreakable” is definitely my most powerful song so far, because it was written as a statement. It speaks out for everyone who’s ever struggled with mental health issues, low self esteem, bullying or the fear of being different. Sometimes we get so caught up in what other people want us to be or expect us to be that we forget about what we want and what makes us happy. The music video was created around the whole idea of empowerment and staying true to who you are no matter because you are enough. “Unbreakable” is my way of saying ‘dare to be unapologetically you’ and I am utterly happy that the world has received the message with such open arms and positive feedback. Getting on the Billboard and iTunes chart a couple of months back was definitely a bonus and I feel proud that I could share a message so important to me with others who might need to hear it and get inspired to keep going and learn to love themselves.
9. Traditional ways of promoting new music is out the window in our present state of pandemic world—how do you plan on connecting with radio programmers and your fans around the world?
One thing that I have always been good at is keeping in touch with my fans. Whenever someone reaches out to me or sends me a good thought or a collage or thanks me for inspiring them I feel honored and I think it’s very important to acknowledge the massive role that they play in my life. I wouldn’t be anywhere without them and their support so I always try my best to message back and let them know they are seen and they are appreciated. As for radio programmers, I am still working my way through all that via email and trying to build relationships with them as sometimes it can be quite hard to get to the right people, but once I make a connection I make sure to keep it ‘alive’ and deliver my best material so that they can help in return. I think being a nice, genuine person goes a long way and in a world where you can be anything, I choose to be kind.
10. What should we be looking for from you in 2021?
Good question! Quite a lot to be honest, if the pandemic will be so kind to leave us alone. I plan on releasing an EP, I have a lot of songs and collaborations in the pipeline ready to go out in 2021 and I am constantly working on newer and better things. I also landed a main role in a movie that will come out in 2021 that I am super excited about so again, I will be combining the two fields. Last, but not least, I am planning my move out to the States as I believe that is the next step in my career. It’s a scary thought, moving continents and all that, but I am ready to start the next chapter of my life over there, work harder than ever before and put out my best music!
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