The music industry has more to do than just be good. You also must have a platform that can put you right in the spotlight. This article digs into if joining singing contests is a good move for kicking off a successful career.
1. The Famous Trio in US Singing Competitions
American Idol
American Idol launched in 2002, and it is a reference in the United States. They’re known for discovering talents like Kelly Clarkson. If you’re interested in auditioning for the show you can apply via the official American Idol website, where you’ll find all the informations you need. 🙂
The Voice
America’s Got Talent
You don’t need to be a singer to join America’s Got Talent. Singers and other kinds of performers can show their skills. People apply by sending a video on the website, and if they are chosen, they get to audition live.
Quick reminder: it’s not just about the big names! There are many singing competitions that offer unique opportunities for artists to shine. These shows welcome a variety of talents, from hidden gems to seasoned pros.
2. Pros and Cons of Participating in Singing Competitions
Pros
- Exposure: Shows like American Idol and The Voice really put you in the spotlight! Candidates often see a big boost in their social media followers and get loads of media attention. Just look at Jennifer Hudson – she totally blew up after her time on the show!
- Networking Opportunities: Competing gives you the chance to meet some big names in the industry, like judges and guest mentors. They can offer awesome advice and might even help you land some game-changing opportunities. Take Adam Levine from The Voice, for example; he’s known for helping contestants even after the show wraps up.
Cons
- Typecasting: Sometimes, winning a competition can lead to being typecast into a specific genre or image that the show highlights. This can make it tough for artists to explore their creativity and redefine who they are musically.
- Specific closures: While being on a singing competition can be a fantastic launchpad for your career, there are some things to think about. Winners might have to sign with record labels linked to the show, which could mean less creative control over their music than they had before the competition.
3. Success Stories
Let’s get inspired by musicians who have used talent competitions to kickstart their careers:
Brooke Mills Simpson (The Voice & America’s Got Talent):
Meet Brooke Mills Simpson! She’s an awesome American singer who really made a name for herself when she snagged third place on the thirteenth season of The Voice—and she was on Team Miley Cyrus, how cool is that?
In 2021, she tried out for season 16 of America’s Got Talent and totally wowed all four judges.
She even hit the Broadway stage, playing Roger Sherman in the revival of 1776 at the American Repertory Theater in Boston, and then took that role to the American Airlines Theatre in New York. In 2023, she jumped into the national tour of the show as the Courier. Brooke is definitely one to watch!
Harry Styles (X Factor) :
Harry Styles was on The X Factor in 2010. He is known for being in One Direction.
He released his first solo album, Harry Styles, in 2017 through Columbia Records, which rapidly achieved a top ten position in both the UK and US charts. In 2019, he launched his second album, Fine Line, which reached the pinnacle of global charts. In early 2022, he debuted the single “As It Was,” leading to his third album, Harry’s House.
Brynn Cartelli (The Voice):
Let me tell you about Brynn Cartelli, a super talented pop artist from the U.S. She made waves at just 15 years old when she snagged the title of the youngest winner of The Voice in its 14th season, with none other than Kelly Clarkson as her mentor! After her big win, she signed with Atlantic Records and even got to open for Kelly on the Meaning of Life Tour. How cool is that?
Fast forward to 2021, Brynn dropped her first EP, Based on a True Story, which totally rocked the charts, hitting number nine on iTunes and racking up over 25 million streams on Spotify!
And guess what? At the start of 2024, she released “Boy From Home” along with her debut album Out of the Blue! She’s been promoting it with some exciting appearances on the Today Show and MTV. Brynn is definitely one to watch!
Camila Cabello (X Factor):
Back in 2011, she jumped into the second season of The X Factor in the U.S., where she met some pretty amazing people like Lauren Jauregui, Dinah Jane Hansen, Normani Kordei, and Ally Brooke Hernandez. Together, they formed the awesome group Fifth Harmony!
After leaving the group, she launched her solo career. Her 2018 album, Camila, had a huge success and showcased her Latin musical influences. The album achieved significant success on the Billboard 200, while her single “Havana” became a major hit, topping the charts in both the US and the UK.
Currently, she stands as one of the main figures in pop music, receiving recognition, including a recent nomination for a VMA this year.
4. You should consider other kinds of music career boosters too!
When it comes to boosting your music career, it’s not just about singing competitions. There are also chances to play at festivals, get artist residencies, or land opportunities to get your music in front of a much bigger audience.
Let’s talk about how Groover fits right in with the article. It’s simple and straightforward. It is an easygoing way to connect with the right people.
Here’s how Groover can help:
Connect Easily: Groover is a simple tool to connect your music with industry professionals.
Reliable Feedback: Groover has your back. Share your music and get some friendly feedback from the community, before sending your video to TV casters for example.
Groover regularly offers opportunities to play at festivals, get artist residencies… —sometimes free, sometimes paid—it depends. So, we definitely recommend checking it out often!
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Conclusion
Singing competitions can serve as an excellent launchpad for your music career. They provide significant exposure, opportunities to connect with others, and important experiences. However, it’s important to recognize that the journey may not be entirely positive; there are potential challenges, such as the risk of being typecast and coping with the pressures of fame. Therefore, if you are an aspiring singer, it is wise to consider these factors thoughtfully. Evaluate the advantages in relation to how they could influence your artistic path.
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