Back in September, B-PB was able to talk to fan-favorite, Lauriana Mae, of MTV’s hit show Starmaker! We learned a lot about the upcoming artist, and about the show!How did you get to be a part of MTV Starmaker?
Well my friend Kelly just came over to my house and was like ‘You know there’s a surprise, I’m taking you tonight.’ And I was like ‘What?’ So I get in the car with her, she takes me to New York and we stand in line, all night pretty much, for this Starmaker audition. I didn’t really even know what it was all the way while I was on my way there, but I started auditioning for it last year in New York.
Was it easy to build friendships with the other contestants? Or were you hesitant because they were your competition?
I mean, the first few rounds of callbacks I didn’t really make friends with anyone. It was very quick, you go in, you do your thing and leave. In the house I did start to develop some close friendships with Zach Berkman, Monet Monico, Angel Inez..Jordan Battiste.
What was it like working with P. Diddy?
Um..stressful! If anything, stressful. Looking at him he’s so successful and that’s what I’m trying to do and I know that he can take me to that level…so it was really stressful to go there and be myself and you know, kind of shine above everyone else.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Uh biggest influences for me are uh the style of music that I’m doing really comes from the 30s and 40s like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Tina Washington, Ray Charles, people like that.
Do you have any funny stories about high school experiences?
Okay well the first time, well I actually went to a performing arts high school and um my vocal teacher, he never made me get up and sing in public at first for a long time because he knew I was such a shy person but one time he was like “Okay, I think you’re ready, you’re gonna do this despite all.” I got up, I looked at the floor the entire time, I didn’t pick my head up or move my hands, I just sang. And just the feedback I got from that, on my vocals and everything is just what kept pushing me, pushing my confidence and I started to really love singing in public.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on an album. I’m writing and recording a bunch of songs that hopefully I’ll be able to release as soon as possible after the show is finished airing.
Do you have anything else you’d like to say to your fans?
Thank you! You know, thank you to everyone who’s supporting me, and stuck with me over all the time I’ve been trying to do this, for over 10 years and now I’ve had a lot of support. So I just want to thank them and you know, I will not disappoint!
Is Lauriana Mae – Laurie Gidosh from Scene 23?
Yes.