Star Power Vol.51

from the editor

HELLO THERE, READER!

In this Star Power Issue, we got to chat with triple threat Sunny Daze who is a singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress

She talked to NYOTA about connecting with fans via social media, her single “Last Night,” and celebrating Arab American Heritage Month this April

I hope you enjoy reading the issue and that it inspires you to go after your dreams

YOURS TRULY,

Carol Wright EDITOR IN CHIEF @ CAROL WRIGHT

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contents 4.GettoKnow Sunny 6.Sunny’sPlaylist

SunnyDaze

Sunny’sTop Picks Followus@nyotamagazine 1.Editor'sLetter

7.StarPower:

14.

Get to

Know Sunny

I’m very athletic and my dad almost made me pursue being an athlete as a kid.

I love country music. It’s probably from growing up in the south, but something about listening to my country music makes me feel at home.

I’m a huge clean freak, when it comes to anything. I will clean anything I see even if it's at someone else’s house or in public! I have major OCD!

I’m a dessert junky. I have to always eat a dessert after a meal hahah!

I love outdoor activities. My dad always has something that he’s building outside or little projects going on that he needs my help with.

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Sunny’s Playlist

Nu Shooz // I Can’t Wait

Michael Jackson // Billie Jean

Elvis Presley // Suspicious Minds

Michael Jackson // P.Y.T.

Will.i.Am // Scream & Shout

Marvin Gaye // Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Smokey Robinson // I’ll Try Something New

Lainey Wilson // Watermelon Moonshine

Morgan Wallen // Spin You Around

The Notorious B.I.G. // Mo Money Mo Problems

#NyotaMusic

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Sunny Daze

Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Gabe Montero

Sunny Daze is a true multi-hyphenate artist whose fanbase is growing by the day. The 20year-old vocalist talked to NYOTA about connecting with fans via social media, her single “Last Night,” and celebrating Arab American Heritage Month.

Did you grow up in a musical household?

I grew up listening to Michael Jackson. My dad always had him playing at our house and that definitely had an impact on me as a child when it came to my musical influences. Michael was the first artist I was introduced to as a kid, and the only artist I knew until I grew older. He really set the bar for me.

Not only do you make music, you’re also a dancer and actress. Has performing been part of your life from a young age?

I knew who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do with my life very early on No matter what I did, I had to be the best at it. I was very athletic, but I was always more intrigued by entertainment. Ever since I can remember, I always had an obsession for entertaining people and my natural competitiveness plays a huge part in that as well. Around the age of 10, I was playing gigs locally around Dallas. My dad would build the props for me and my mom and I would make the costumes. I would perform at malls, in parking lots, on the sidewalk at the state fair, basically anywhere I could to get people’s attention.

Who are other young musicians you’d hope to collaborate with one day?

It would be super fun to collaborate with Drake I have always loved his music and I’ve been inspired by his career. I look forward to collaborating with him, as well as other artists in the future. I’m always open to the right opportunities, especially collaborations!

On Instagram and TikTok you’ve been able to connect with fans by posting snippets of songs, GRWM, and dances. Do you find that connecting with listeners in this way allows for more authentic interaction?

Of course. The more people get to know me, the more they can understand my story and my music. I try to be creative with the content I release and be specific with what I’m sharing. I want people to see me for me, and maybe sharing other factors of my life will allow me to connect better with people outside of just the music

How would you describe your upcoming EP in three words?

Influential, honest, and inspiring.

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Tell our readers about your song “Last Night” which has a much different sound from “No You Don’t.” Do you try to often experiment with how your songs sound?

All my music tells a story about my life. Either it’s something I’m going through or even relating to. In “Last Night,” I talk about my mentality and how I have big aspirations. I definitely go into the studio with an open mind, and doing this makes it the most authentic it could be. I try to have a variety of sounds in my music for people to choose from because they might not relate to every song.

When it comes to the accompanying visuals for your music. How creatively involved are you in that process?

I’m super hands on when it comes to the creative process of my career. I always have visions and ideas Usually when I’m in the studio making a song, I will start to create a visual around the song I’m writing. I get the best ideas when I’m driving and have an open mind. It’s also very hard for me to get out of the creative process. It’s almost never ending.

April is Arab American Heritage Month. Has it been special for you to be able to reflect on your Lebanese culture during this time and have more people learn about Arab Americans that have had a positive impact? Most definitely. My family and I have been spending time together and enjoying our Lebanese foods, which is one of our favorite things to do. I’m so honored to be a part of such an incredible culture and especially grateful to inspire other young Arab Americans to pursue their passions and stand up for their morals. It’s so amazing to see more Arab Americans get the recognition they deserve. I will always strive to leave a positive mark in my culture.

Does your Lebanese heritage ever influence your music or the decisions you make when it comes to your music career and how you want your culture reflected?

My Lebanese heritage has definitely influenced not only my music career but also my morals in life. I grew up in a Catholic household, which was encouraged by my Teta and Jiddo, (grandma and grandpa). Knowing the struggle my Teta and Jiddo had to go through raising thirteen children in Lebanon, living under a tree, with absolutely nothing, and still somehow finding the courage to come to America as foreigners to create a better life for their family, only makes me work harder at what I want to do. I feel like there’s not a chance I won’t make an impact on my culture because I owe it all to them. What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?

My advice for other aspiring musicians would be to stay true to who you are and always stand up for what you believe in. If you do that, it doesn’t matter if people don’t agree with you, they will always respect you. If you want to achieve success, you have to be willing to sacrifice time and be willing to miss out on certain things and memories. In the end, it will all be worth it and those who stick to it will be rewarded.

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