We here at YA Mag love music, but more than that we love music with a social message. That’s why we were so excited to get the chance to chat with rising star Jamie Charoen. Charoen’s music signifies the importance of empowering women and never giving up on a dream. This talented young musician, who writes her own music and plays piano and guitar, is debuting her single Puppeteer, of her upcoming EP. Born of Thai and French descent, Jamie knows what it’s like to be considered different. Jamie has created a song that is meant to help lift your spirits up and help you to see beyond your current situation; to help you to break free. As her career progresses, she hopes to become active in helping to fund music programs in schools where funding is being cut as well as donate her time and energy to helping the ever growing problem of world hunger. With her growing success, she hopes to be a beacon of hope for young women across the world and a source of motivation, showing that no matter who you are or where you come from, you are capable of success. Read on to see what she had to say about growing up in Florida, her love of David Guetta and gearing up for her busy summer!

 

Tell me a little bit about yourself when you were a younger adult…where did you grow up? What were you like in school?

Growing up, I was a tad bit of a weird child; tomboyish, kind of awkward in my own skin. I grew up in Orlando, FL 10 minutes away from Universal, Disney World, and Sea World. I was always active in chorus when I was in school from Elementary to Middle. But as I got to high school I cheered instead of joining chorus.

 

How did you get your start in music?

I got my start in music when I was very little. I started singing when I was about 3 and I would always put on shows for my family. It wasn’t until high school that I actually said out loud that I wanted singing to be my career not just something I did everyday. So when I posted my first few YouTube covers that was when a Producer who wanted to work with me contacted me.

 

What has been your biggest success to date?

My biggest success to date would have to be just the sheer love that I get from my fans everyday and being able to read their tweets about how I’ve made a difference in their life. It’s an amazing thing to feel like you’ve given someone hope by just sharing your experiences through a song.

 

Tell me a little more about your vision as an artist and your image.

I’ve always been a very out spoken girl, even as a little girl. I’ve always felt like I looked at things just a little bit differently them a lot of my peers and with that, it’s shaped who I am as an artist. The songs that I write are about things that I have gone through. I’m not one to conform or bend myself to fit a certain mold. Self worth is something that I feel like is taken away from girls at a really young age because they try to emulate their idols; so for me, I think why some of my fans can relate to me is, instead of being a “Star” to them, the only thing I’m trying to be is a friend or a sister.

 

Who are some of your favorite artists or bands?

Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, The Carpenters, David Guetta, Krewella, Etta James, JoJo, and The XX.

 

All great choices! Who would you most like to work with?

I would loveee the opportunity to work with Christina Aguilera and David Guetta. They are just amazing to me. Two completely different type of talents but they are both truly great at their craft and I’d love to pick their brains!

 

What do you have coming up?

My single is being released on June 4th and we are shooting the music video for it at the end of June so I’m so excited. The fans have been waiting so long for this so I can’t wait to share it with them!

 

What can you tell others pursuing the same career?

I would tell them to always stay true to who they are.

 

What’s your favorite book or what book are you currently reading?

It’s funny you asked me this question because my mom just picked up the Hunger Games series for me! So I will be reading that!

 

So good! Even better than the movies! What are three things you want your fans to know about you that they might not?

1. I loveee Spicy Food

2. I am Thai

3. Their tweets or comments or post… I see all of them and I’m truly just grateful to have such amazing people in my life.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10?

In the next 5-10 years I still see myself growing as a person and as an artist; I hope that my fans can grow with me. I would love to have done a world tour and visited the fans in different countries that I promised I would visit!