Interview with Christina Grimmie

21 year-old Pop/R&B artist and winner of an American Music Award, Christina Grimmie, is currently the talk of the town and it is easy to see why! She recently won the 2015 Macy’s Rising Star iHeartRadio competition after returning from her first European headline tour. She has grown from being a YouTube sensation to releasing two albums, winning an American Music Award, achieved a Top 3 position in Season 6 of NBC’s The Voice, opened for Selena Gomez on tour, performed on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, and released her newest single, “Shrug.” Read on to find out more about this amazing talent and follow her on Twitter @TheRealGrimmie! 

GLITTER: What inspired you to start recording on YouTube? Did you always want to make it big?

CHRISTINA: I’ve always dreamed of being a singer since I was a little girl. My friend is the one that inspired me to start posting videos, at the time I didn’t realize the potential.

 

GLITTER: What are some of your favorite songs that you’ve covered?

CHRISTINA: Ages ago I covered “Telephone” by Lady Gaga and I always loved the rendition! My other favorite was “Just A Dream” by Nelly. One of my biggest ones!

 

GLITTER: Can you describe your big break that catapulted you from YouTube?

CHRISTINA: I had the opportunity to go on 2 tours with Selena Gomez and that really boosted the exposure and experience for me. It was when I got a shot at The Voice that I really got the biggest boost and got to show what I could do!

 

GLITTER: What was it like winning 2015 Macy’s Rising Star iHeartRadio competition?

CHRISTINA: It was unbelievable…quite literally, considering the numbers I had for my online following were low compared to some competitors. I wasn’t sure if we’d pull it off but Team Grimmie really came through and voted NONSTOP like the little bosses! SOLDIERS, ONWARD!

 

GLITTER: You’ve accomplished so much, independently releasing two albums, winning an American Music Award, achieved a Top 3 position in Season 6 of NBC’s The Voice, opened for Selena Gomez on tour, performed on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, and released your newest single, “Cliché,” which peaked at number 7 on iTunes charts! Which moments have been highlights for you that made you pinch yourself?

CHRISTINA: All of the above haha. There’s not one part of that list that doesn’t blow my mind. I only wish to climb even higher during the rest of my career bc with the power of Team Grimmie, I won’t stop.

 

GLITTER: How did it feel to headline your first European tour?

CHRISTINA: Amazing!!! So great to finally get over there and meet my worldwide  frands.

 

GLITTER: What can we expect from your new music due out this fall?

CHRISTINA: A bunch of emotions! And that’s all I’ll say!

 

GLITTER: Any plans for a US Tour?

CHRISTINA: Not as of yet.

 

GLITTER: Are you excited for the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas this fall, what do you do to prepare for that?

CHRISTINA: So psyched! I want this show to be the best show I’ve ever had, considering how huge it is. It’s my chance to show what I’ve got and to have the time of my life!

 

GLITTER: What inspired you to create “Shrug?”

CHRISTINA: I didn’t exactly have a song that packed that punch that “Shrug” has; message-wise AND beat-wise!

 

 GLITTER: Who would you love to collaborate with?

CHRISTINA: Calvin Harris, Skrillex, and maybe a duet with Aguilera!

 

GLITTER: What’s a day in the life like for you?

CHRISTINA: I make make music in my own time, messing around with beats and riffs I write. Always practicing performing in my room most times  I probably look like an idiot dancing around haha. I play a lot of video games…lots of League of Legends and Smash Bros!

 

GLITTER: How much time do you spend practicing?

CHRISTINA: Quite a bit. Always working on new ways to improve my range and accuracy. As well as building endurance for performing & singing well, which is a lot harder than people think.

 

GLITTER: Coffee or tea?

CHRISTINA: Coffee fo sho.

 

GLITTER: Favorite places to shop?

CHRISTINA: BCBG, Urban Outfitters, Target, GameStop, and any place with lots of food.

 

GLITTER: Favorite food and place to eat?

CHRISTINA: Italian food and sushi. Although I’ll take my mom’s homemade food over anything.

 

GLITTER: Do you have a celeb crush? If so who?

CHRISTINA: Harry Style’s hair is probably the greatest thing on this planet. And don’t judge but I’ve always had a crush on Link from the Legend of Zelda, sshhh.

 

GLITTER: What artists have been an inspiration to you and why?

CHRISTINA: Skrillex, first off because he paved his own path in EDM and did his own thing and made it work. So much respect for that. I love the message that Tori Kelly gives, which is humility and uniqueness and she’s not afraid of not being like everybody else. The message I wanna send is right up there with hers.

 

GLITTER: Name your top 5 beauty products right now?

CHRISTINA: Bobbi Brown foundation, Naked eyeshadow pallet, Makeup Forever black eyeliner, my straightener and blow drier!

 

GLITTER: What advice do you have for girls wanting to sing and just starting out?

CHRISTINA: Please, please, PLEASE be yourself. If you catch yourself not, take a step back. If you are posting your music on YouTube, maybe start with a popular cover done in a unique way.

 
GLITTER: With so many influences online today, what is your definition of self love?

CHRISTINA: No matter what society is trying to drill in your head about how you should look, how you should act, and what you need to say, I think it’s all crap. All of it. Be yourself and do you. Be respectful to your peers and yourself, of course. Don’t be a jerk. But at the same time don’t settle for anything less than yourself.

 

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