“American Idol” followers may not acknowledge Lauren Spencer-Smith at first look — however they will probably keep in mind her powerhouse voice. When the teenager first auditioned for the “Idol” judges throughout Season 18, singing Pink’s “What About Us,” Luke Bryan was left speechless and Lionel Richie mentioned, “You are clever and gifted past your age.”
Now, the 18-year-old is poised to be the music business’s subsequent huge factor, sparking a bidding warfare amongst document labels and becoming a member of Shawn Mendes’ administration staff.
During Spencer-Smith’s season on ‘Idol,’ the pandemic shut down manufacturing in Los Angeles and contestants needed to carry out by way of video from their houses all season lengthy. Then simply 16, she made it to the Top 20, however instructed WRMF Radio that her elimination from the show was “a blessing in disguise” as a result of she used the remainder of lockdown to hone her songwriting abilities and discover her voice as an artist. Viral TikTok movies of her deeply intimate, confessional songs have led to Spencer-Smith’s meteoric rise.
Here’s How Spencer-Smith Became Music’s Next Big Thing
After being eradicated from ‘Idol,’ Spencer-Smith headed dwelling to Canada to work on all she’d discovered in the course of the intense competitors, together with honing her songwriting abilities. She had been found by ‘Idol’ producers by way of songs she posted on social media so, in response to Variety, the teenager determined to renew posting a few of her newly-written tunes.
She labored with a number of skilled producers and songwriters, signed with a supervisor, and used TikTok to posting new songs comparable to “For Granted” and “Back to Friends” in addition to covers of standard tunes.
In Nov. 2021, after engaged on a brand new tune referred to as “Fingers Crossed,” she leaked 15 seconds of the tune on TikTok — and folks went wild for it. Her “American Idol” fan base instantly grew as new listeners discovered her, and document corporations started calling.
“Fingers Crossed” was launched independently on Jan. 5, and the tune went viral on TikTok. According to Billboard, the only additionally shot to No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 later that month. Major labels clamored for conferences with the teenager sensation, and she or he ultimately signed with two of them — Republic and Island Records, that are each a part of Universal Music Group.
Spencer-Smith instructed Billboard that signing the deal was a weight off her shoulders. “Before, my supervisor and I have been doing every little thing, like advertising and marketing and artistic,” she mentioned. “And now, I’ve groups devoted to that and it is good to have individuals who know what they’re doing and a complete military that wishes to help and assist you.”
According to Hits, the 18-year-old parted methods along with her supervisor within the spring of 2022 and signed with Shawn Mendes’ administration staff. In May, Spencer-Smith instructed ET Canada that she’s turn out to be “friends-ish” with Mendes and referred to as him “very Zen.”
Here’s What’s Next For The Teen Sensation
With a full staff behind her working to make her a megastar, Spencer-Smith’s profession is taking off like a rocket. In April, she launched a second single, “Flowers,” which debuted at No. 1 on iTunes.
On July 29, she launched a 3rd monitor, pop ballad “Narcissist,” with an accompanying music video. She’s scheduled to carry out the brand new tune throughout her debut efficiency on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” on Aug. 8.
Three days later, on Aug. 11, Spencer-Smith kicks off her first North American headlining tour, with concert events within the U.S. and Canada. Dates and tickets can be found by way of her web site.
Once she wraps up that tour, the teenager will launch her first full-length album, cementing her place as music’s breakout star of 2022. The album is predicted to have 13 to 14 tracks; in April 2022, Spencer-Smith revealed in an interview with Zach Sang that she had not less than 20 songs accomplished, however was struggling to decide on which of them will make the document.
“I’m very excited,” she mentioned. “I’d manner slightly have extra music than come brief and never have, like, sufficient music.”
