Angelica Salem may be a college freshman, but she is also a driven musician with her eye on the music prize. This up-and-comer recently dropped her incredible techno-enhanced pop single “We Rock The World” and plans to release a full-length album in 2012. A pop princess in the making, Angelica is a cross between Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera. While fans may have only had a taste of Angelica’s music so far, one thing is definitely clear: this young artist has the X factor.

Growing up in Stamford, Connecticut, Angelica was one busy girl. Her love for performing started in the dance studio where she fostered her skills in Irish dancing (she danced competitively for 10 years!), hip-hop, ballet and jazz. Angelica says she has “been on stage [her] whole life,” which is what makes a career in pop music so natural for her.

Angelica cares about more than just her music though; giving back is something very important to her. For her 16th birthday she started her own charity (something she had always wanted to do) called “Voice of an Angel”. “I’ve been taught since I was very little to give back.” Angelica’s charity works to better the lives of others through fundraising events and community service.

Angelica Salem is an incredibly talented musician who loves to light up people's faces with her music and through her organization. Her charisma and positive energy are truly contagious.


Read on to learn more about the talented Angelica Salem through an interview conducted by College Gloss staff writer, Annie Robinson.

Getting to Know Angelica

CG: What do you like to do in your spare time?
AS: I actually don’t have that much spare time right now! I’m working on my music career. I have been singing since I could talk. When I was 6 I started lessons. I am also a dancer. I was an Irish dancer for 10 years competitively. Now I have started hip-hop, jazz and ballet because that is helping me with my pop career. Everything has changed a little bit. It is busy, but I love everything I do so it is great!

CG: What is one thing you want your fans to know about you?
AS: I have been given so much, and I have been given so many wonderful opportunities and I want to be able to give back as much as I have been given.

CG: Do you have any pet peeves?
AS: I don’t. I have been in the arts for forever so I am used to being around unique people. I am a very open person, I accept everybody. Nothing bothers me like crazy!

CG: Who is your celebrity crush?
AS: I would have to say I am a huge Justin Bieber fan! I love Justin Bieber. My love for [him] is more that I think he is so talented. I respect him for his talent. He is an amazing singer, amazing dancer and he can play all those insturments.

CG: What is the best advice you have ever been given?
AS: My parents telling me to never give up. If you think big and work hard, something great will come to you!

College Life

CG: How is college treating you?
AS: So far my college experience has been great! I am at Pape University in New York City and loving it.

CG: How is your college experience different?
AS: It is really a different college experience to what people are used to because we don’t have the school teams and we don’t have a big campus, but having New York City as your campus is amazing. I love living in the freshman dorms.


Music

CG: When did you first know you wanted to go into music?
AS: At first I wanted to go on Broadway. I would be running around town singing Disney princess songs. I always knew I wanted to be a singer. I love being on stage. This pop career kind of fell into my lap. Everything is going great and I hope to continue doing it as long as possible.

CG: How has music affected your life?
AS: I think just being in a music career and singing since I could talk has opened my eyes to so many different things. You have to grow up a lot faster than everyone else. Even before I was pushing the music career, I was always having to miss birthday parties or miss going out with my friends and it was upsetting for me at the time, but at the same time it made me grow up a lot quicker. I have met so many amazing people through my music and my dancing and I am so grateful for it.

CG: Who are your musical inspirations?
AS: I am a huge Britney Spears fan. I grew up listening to her and watching her. I also love Katy Perry [and] Christina Aguilera. They are huge, powerful women today. I look up to them.

CG: What is the best part of being in the music industry?
AS: The experiences that I have had. Being on stage and meeting so many cool people is opening my eyes to so many new things. From the video shoots to the photo shoots, being able to do this stuff because of something I love is amazing!

CG: What singer would you love to collaborate with?
AS: I think it would be awesome to do something with Usher or Chris Brown. I love them! I think Madonna would be really cool, I think Britney would be really cool. I’ve got such a huge list!

The Album

CG: What kind of music is on the album, and what has your experience been like in the recording studio?
AS: I’m so excited for this album to come out. It is very upbeat, very happy. I have a lot of upbeat dance pop songs and I have a few ballads as well. It has been great recording this album; I have had so much fun!

CG: Do you have any goals for the album?
AS: Just to get it out as much as possible, I want to grab attention with people and get them attached to my charity and my music!

CG: Do you have a favorite song on your album so far?
AS: I don’t. I have a lot of favorites. I love all of my songs. My single that is out right now, “We Rock The World,” is one of my favorites for sure.

CG: How has recording this album changed your life?
AS: It has just brought me to so many new experiences. I have gotten to meet some really cool producers. I did my first music video, which was a whole new experience and I just got back from L.A. doing another video. I feel like every time I do something it brings out a whole new side to the career.

Performance

CG: What is it like before you go on stage?
AS: I am pretty good with nerves. Sometimes I get really antsy and excited before performances though. I always give my mom and dad a huge hug and kiss because they are always right there beside me.

CG: What is your favorite costume you have ever worn on stage?
AS: A bright pink and white leather sports jacket. It had a huge “A” on the front. It has been my favorite piece so far!

CG: How do you stay grounded in such a crazy industry?
AS: I have been lucky enough to have such a great support team behind me. My parents and my family have been so great through everything. I have always had the right person around me, which has really helped me to keep thing grounded. I am not going to let the music industry take anything away from me.

Voice of an Angel Charity

CG: How did your charity start?
AS: I was having a huge sweet 16 birthday party during the recession. So many of my friends couldn’t have sweet sixteens. I had 150 people coming to the party and I was so excited, but I know I did not need 150 people to bring me gifts/money. I knew I wanted to start my own charity, so I started Voice of an Angel. I had everyone donate and it just took off from there!

CG: Why is helping others something that is important to you?
AS: I have been taught since I was very little to give back. I have so many amazing opportunities and I just feel like giving back is something that I need to do. I love the feeling of giving back to those who are less fortunate then I am!

CG: What is one thing you want your fans to do every day to make a difference?
AS: There are so many little things people can do every day, it doesn’t have to be money. Giving a dollar somewhere helps, but if you don’t have that dollar go to a food shelter to help out! There is so much that people can do!


Next Steps

CG: Where do you want to be in 10 years?
AS: I want everything I am doing right now to just go up a couple of levels. I really want people to know about my music and my charity.

CG: What can fans hope for in the future?
AS: More music! Check out my website, that will keep you updated with everything! (Angelica also has a Twitter!)

CG: What are your next stapes as an artist?
AS: I am flying down to Florida to perform on [a] morning show. I am really excited!

CG: What advice do you have for others wanting to get into the music industry?
AS: No matter how many times people tell you “no” don’t let them stop you. There will be a lot of times when people bring you down, but shoot for the moon and have fun!

By: Annie Robinson | Images: Angelica Salem's agency