Front Row - Nikki Yanofsky
16 Year Old Canadian Sensation Brings Music South of Border
Will Olympic Singer Nikki Yanofsky Strike Gold in USA?
TeenNewsNet Entertainment Columnist
At the age of only 16, Canadian Jazz Singer Nikki Yanofsky has performed at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics, released her first album Nikki, took part in the charity single Wavin’ Flag, and just finished a 4-week tour in Europe and Canada. She is also the only Canadian Artist since Avril Lavigne (Girlfriend, 2007) to top the Canadian Charts with her single, “I Believe” on February 27, 2010. This was the theme song for
She has been singing since age 2 and at 12 years old, started to put on performances to raise money for charities. Her career kicked off from there. Although she is known as a “Jazz” singer, she sees herself as just a singer. “I wasn’t looking to be different,” explains Nikki. “I sing pop and R&B too, but jazz kind of spoke to me and I love it.” She was born with the name Nicole but has been called Nikki since. To describe her personality, she said “I’m very bubbly and I’m always myself. If I had to choose one word I would say consistent because I don’t change for anything or anybody.”
With two older brothers Michael, 21, and Andrew, 19, and a mom and a dad, Nikki has a strong support system behind her at all times. Her parents never force her into doing something she does not want to do; “I pull them, they never push me.’
Not only is she supported by her family, but by her friends and school as well. She is still enrolled in the same public school she has been attending since fourth grade. Because she has been at the same school for so long, she definitely knows who her true friends are. “I’m pretty aware of the people that start to act different towards me. I know they are not being nice to me because they like me, so I just ignore them.”
How does Nikki spend time with her real friends? “I fly my friends out to where I am if they are available. I took a friend to
In Nikki’s eyes, “music is my whole life, logically, there was no sacrifice” made for her career. “Maybe I’m missing a party here or there, but that’s for something I rather be doing anyway. Performing at a show is better in the long run. I never find that I am missing out,” she expressed.
Besides music, Nikki refers to herself as “a big Shopaholic. Her favorite stores are Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters. She also loves making videos for her YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/nikkiyanofsky. She listens to rap, country, jazz, pop and R&B. “I am open-minded;” however, “I don’t have much heavy metal or classical music.” Her newest favorite is “American Honey” by Lady Antebellum.
To remain focused Nikki has a positive head on her shoulders. She avoids searching her name on Google because “I don’t want it to rule my life; I would get obsessed.” Additionally, she doesn’t get nervous before a show, unless “I’m uncomfortable with the song I’m singing or the singers I’m singing with.” Wow! That’s impressive for being only 16, except she did get really nervous before performing at the Olympics.
Although
Being young and successful can often be challenging. This is another area of her career that she tackles well. She informs me that she has less stress to deal as “there is a mature respect between everybody I work with. I approve everything and I never dress tool old.”
Coming off the excitement of performing in front of thousands at the Olympics and a number 1 single, Nikki is showcasing what she refers to as her “little baby” to American audiences. Part of the tour will feature music from her first album. The “little baby” that she is delivering to
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