Jillian O is a thirteen-year-old, Atlanta-based force to be reckoned with. Inspired by the likes of Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Hayley Williams, her music is versatile and listenable. Jillian is star-on-the-rise to look out for.

Name: Jillian O
Listen To: “When I Hate You,” “Shatterproof”
Website: http://www.jilliano.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jillianomusic

What are five interesting facts about yourself?
Five interesting facts about me is that I am beyond crazy, my hair has had at least 7 different colors in it, I love food, all I’ve ever wanted was to be a singer and I’ve been singing since I could talk! HAHA!

Being at a young age, how do you balance school and music?
Its very difficult! I go to a private homeschool but I go to school three day a week. It’s very fast paced and there’s lots of homework. It’s hard figuring out when I need to study and when I need to rehearse, you know, prioritizing.

When did you decide that you wanted to be a singer and a songwriter? Why?
I went to my doctors office and my doctor’s son was in a band. I really wanted to do something that that! It seemed super cool. I was 10 years old when I seriously decided I wanted to pursue music as a career. Music is my passion and it’s my everything and I I didn’t have music I would die.

Where do you find inspiration for your music? Who are your greatest influences?
I find inspiration from personal experiences. It’s easier to connect to things I’ve actually experienced. My greatest influences are Hayley Williams and Katy Perry. Hayley pours so much emotion and interesting ideas into her songs and Katy perry has shown me to be myself and it’s ok to be different.

Besides singing and writing songs, what else do you like to do? How do you spend your free time?
I love to read! I don’t understand how people don’t like it! It’s just like watching a movie but you get to pick how and what everything looks like. I also love spending time with my friends and family. I have two younger siblings and they keep me on my feet!

How has your journey as a singer and a songwriter been so far? 
My journey has been amazing but it can get hard sometimes. It can be stressful but that’s normal. The music business is very hard and very taxing. My journey has been a dream though. I love music and everything that comes with it. Good or bad.

Of all your songs, which three are your favorites and why? What motivated you to write them? 
My three favorites are “When I Hate You”, “Lighter” and “Maybe Not.” “WIHY” is the perfect breakup song. I wrote it from personal experience and I also wanted people to be able to relate. “Lighter” is a great uplifting song. It’s always been my goal to inspire and encourage people and I think “Lighter” does that. I actually didn’t write “Maybe Not.” It’s one of the two songs I didn’t write. I love it because it reminds me of how much people can love each other.

If you could go on tour with any three musicians/artists/bands, who would you choose and why?
If I could go on tour with anyone, it would be Katy Perry, Paramore or P!NK.
Katy perry is just awesome. Like I have no words. I think she’s unique and there isn’t anyone else like her out there. Paramore was one of my favorite concerts I’ve ever been to. It was a great high energy show. I love their music and touring with them would be pretty cool. P!NK’s voice is so incredible. She sounds exactly the same live as she does on the tracks. I love her style, her attitude and her stage presence.

What do you hope to accomplish in your music career?
I hope to inspire people and make people feel happy when they listen to my music. When people hear my songs or come to my shows I want people to feel release. I want them to forget all their problems and struggles and just have fun. I want them to smile and feel loved because they are.

Do you have any advice for people that are trying to be singers:
If this isn’t your passion, if you don’t love it with all your heart, don’t do it. Like I said earlier, this business is very difficult. But if you do love it, don’t give up. Believe in yourself.
God has a plan for you. Always sing for His glory. And don’t listen when someone tells you no or you’re not good enough. No’s are good. Because the more No’s you get, the more chances there are of you getting a yes.