[NYOTA Magazine ]
star power
starring
Tiffany Alvord Volume 4
HELLO THERE, READER! It's finally summer which means you can relax and take your time reading our latest Star Power issue. We're excited to have singer, actress and youtuber Tiffany Alvord on our cover. Tiffany is gearing up to release her EP of original songs and we know her talent will blow you away. I hope Tiffany inspires you to do what you love and go after your dreams like the stars you are.
YOURS TRULY, Carol Wright EDITOR IN CHIEF, NYOTA MAGAZINE @_CAROL_WRIGHT_
from the editor 1
Contents 1
Editor's Letter
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Get to Know Tiffany
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Tiffany's Playlist
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#StarPower: Tiffany Alvord
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Tiffany's Top Picks
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Gifts for Dad
#StarPower
Get To Know
Tiffany I have 6 brothers & I’m the only girl! I did gymnastics for 9 years.
I was home-schooled through high school and I graduated in 3 years!
I 100% wrote all the songs on my first two albums.
I’ve been a bridesmaid 9 times!! 3
#NyotaMusic
Tiffany's Playlist Fools //Lauren Aquilina Everything //Michael Buble Out Of My League//Stephen Speaks Heart To Break//Kim Petras I Choose You //Sara Bareilles Runaway//Sasha Sloan You Don’t Know About Me//Ella Vos Better With You//Jesse McCartney My Love //The Bird And The Bee Bright Side Of My Heart//Sam Gray
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#NyotaMusic
Tiffany Alvord Interview by Carol Wright Photos by Nathan Tecson
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When did you first become passionate about music? I’ve always loved music and singing. I started writing songs when I was 10! I would spend hours and hours, and all my free time, just writing songs, either by myself or with friends. I always had a passion for it! I didn’t get more serious with it until I discovered YouTube when I was 15 years old.
What made you venture into posting videos on Youtube? I stumbled across YouTube and was watching some of the very early original YouTubers sing covers and originals from their home and from their bedrooms. I watched and was fascinated for a few months before it hit me that I could do that too! I saw musicians getting recognition, gaining fans, and having so much fun, and I was like, “WAIT, I LIKE TO SING TOO! I should put some of my music out there and see what happens.” So I followed their footsteps, figured it out, and started posting!
You originally started posting covers before sharing your own original songs. What was it like to begin sharing songs you’ve written and getting feedback on them from your subscribers? It was a little scary posting my first batch of original songs because I didn’t know how people would react. I wanted people to know right away that I was a songwriter and could compose and write my own songs. I didn’t want to be known as just a “cover artist." It was amazing how well received my originals were and how supportive all my fans were. I would post a few covers and then post an original song so people could know who I was as an artist and what my songs were like! The feedback I got from fans was to create an album of original songs so they could buy it. My first album, My Dream, was fan funded.
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You got the chance to perform ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman in front of the cast. How did you prepare for that moment and what did it feel like to know they enjoyed your cover? Performing for the cast was such a memorable experience. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you won’t ever forget. I performed with two of my talented friends, so we rehearsed for two days, and we had the morning of performance day to lock down our rendition of the song! I had so many nerves. It was so surreal when we walked out and some of my favorite actors were standing before us!! I just kept thinking, “Wow, this isn’t real! Is this real?” I also couldn’t stop smiling!!! They were all SO KIND and their feedback was so genuine and thought out, especially Hugh Jackman’s! It really made me appreciate them and the song and the movie. I still can’t believe I got to perform for them.
THINGS ARE GOING TO BE MAY HAVE HA THOSE AREN TO STOP OR
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You got the chance to make your acting debut in School Spirits and Guilty Party. How did those opportunities come about? What type of roles do you hope to pursue in the future? Yes! Oh my goodness, these two acting projects have been amazing. The cast, the crew, the whole experience, went so smooth and was so professional for both projects. School Spirits came about because I began reaching out to people in the industry to let them know that I wanted to act and that it’s always been a passion of mine. A casting director reached out a few months before the audition to gauge interest and then as they were ready to cast, they invited me to audition. I was terrified and super confident all at the same time. They held callbacks the next week and I went. There were about 12 people in the room with producers and directors and it was definitely intense. The crazy thing is they were casting for two different films.
EN’T ALWAYS E EASY. YOU ATERS. BUT N’T REASONS R GIVE UP.
I auditioned for a different show they thought they wanted to cast me in, however, the director of School Spirits saw my audition and said, “She’s the one,” and offered me the role immediately. I ended up booking a film I didn’t even audition for! The Guilty Party opportunity came through Fullscreen and was put on by AT&T’s Hello Lab. (Fullscreen was my YouTube MCN for many years and I have friends there.) I sent in auditions as they developed the characters. They wanted someone who did music, as well. AT&T made a super interactive and creative YouTube series that really engaged fans! Characters from Guilty Party actually had (fake) YouTube channels and posted vlogs and their “side of the story.” It was a smart idea for a series and the collective social media following of the cast was more than 38 million! I loved being part of this project. One of the best parts of this project is that I created an original song, “Karma,” that is played in the last episode. I wanted to be an actress before I discovered YouTube. I would love to challenge myself and try all sorts of roles. I think playing the mean girl could be fun, or the oblivious, carefree girl. I also think it’d be fun to be in a horror movie, ha-ha.
You recently went to Coachella for the first time. How inspiring was it to see some of your favorite artists performing there? Could you see yourself on a Coachella stage one day? It was so much fun to be surrounded by music lovers and have a weekend jam packed with so many artists that I look up to! It inspired me to see how much the artists enjoyed performing and how much the crowd enjoyed and connected with the music. I could definitely see myself on the Coachella stage, maybe next year :)
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IF IT’S WHAT LOVE I EVERY
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YOU TRULY LOVE, THEN T AND DO IT, AND ENJOY STEP OF THE PROCESS! You’re preparing to release your album of original songs. What can fans expect from the album? I would say my new music captures the same essence as far as being fun and lighthearted like my previous albums. I’m always working to grow and progress and I feel it shows in my new songs. I feel all the songs are relatable for my demographic and that’s how I love to connect with my fans. This album is a lot more pop, like an ice cream cone with sparkly sprinkles that you can’t resist! It’s still me, it’s my songs, just from a new angle! Fans can expect songs that they’ll just wanna blast in the car while driving!
Who are some of your music inspirations? Growing up I remember listening to Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin, and Sheryl Crow. As I got older, Taylor Swift, Sam Smith, Sara Bareilles, Maroon 5, Aly & AJ, and Colbie Collait were huge influences! I feel like my influences today are from new artists that I love! For example I love what Charlie Puth, Lauv, Julia Michaels, and Selena Gomez are doing.
What advice do you have for aspiring Youtubers? I would say be TRUE TO YOURSELF! You know yourself best. You have to be authentic or fans won’t connect with you. Follow your heart and intuition. I believe this is what led me to so many amazing opportunities. Also, HAVE FUN. If it’s not what you truly love, you will burn out and tire of it, so find ways to stay creative and fall in love with what you do over and over! You have to be truly passionate about what you are sharing. Everyone likes supporting someone genuine and happy. Lastly, BE CONSISTENT. Things aren’t always going to be easy. You may have haters. But those aren’t reasons to stop or give up. By being consistent and sharing your content regularly, the right people will start to follow you and appreciate you and spread the word about you. Ignore negative people. It would be impossible to please everyone. Rise above challenges. You will feel proud of your accomplishments. If fans see the joy it brings you, they feel good in return. When you see they joy it brings your fans, you want to do more for them. It’s a cycle that starts with you! <3
#StarPower
What advice do you have for aspiring singers? For singers, I would give similar advice! (See previous.) You need to do what you do FOR YOU, not for fame or to please a producer/manager/label, or to make anyone else happy. If it’s what you truly love, then love it and do it, and enjoy every step of the process! Take opportunities to sing out in public, collaborate with friends, jam to the radio, create music that you’re proud of. It takes time to build an online fan base, so be patient. Remember, “the harder you work, the luckier you get!”
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THELIFESTYLETREND.COM
#StarPower
Tiffany's Top Picks
Movies Harry Potter (series) The Chronicles of Narnia Parent Trap 13 going on 30
Books
The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West Subliminal by Leonard Mlodinow The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
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T.V. Pretty Little Liars, Revenge, Nashville, The Fosters, Riverdale, New Girl, & Friends
Fashion Trends I’m a big fan of high-waisted jeans. I love bright colors and bold statement pieces. I’m a big fan of a classic leather jacket and black boots! But I mostly love anything girly, or sparkly. I love bows in my hair for accessories and I love that chokers are back in.
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GIFTS FOR DAD With Fathers' Day around the corner, here are NYOTA's must haves for dads
is RY'S R A H 17
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UWEZO Finish your look with UWEZO’s fashion forward shoes that are definitely Insta-worthy! These shoes provide comfort insoles that are perfect for walking and offers a variety of men’s styles. Their unique shoes are made with natural hairon cowhide, meaning no two pairs are exactly the same! $180, www.uwezo.com
SOCIETY SOCKS Society Socks is a unique and quality monthly sock subscription for men. Luxurious to the touch, their stylish sock designs are inspired by European, Asian, and North American cultures, and are made of 80% combed cotton, 15% polyester, and 5% elastane. Give your dad the statement piece he can run with. www.societysocks.com $48 / 3 month subscription 18
NYOTA Magazine STAR POWER TEAM EDITOR IN CHIEF Carol
Wright
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Niara Wright
COVER SINGER
Tiffany Alvord
FEATURES BRAND
Harry's
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