16-year-old with Trini roots lands spot on American Idol

While most other 16-year-old girls are spending their time chatting with friends on social media, going shopping and all those other fun things teenagers usually do, Camryn Champion is preparing to wow the judges at the next round of the 20th season of American Idol, a reality television series in which aspiring singers compete for a recording contract and a shot at making it big in the music industry.

Champion put new meaning to her name when, from among the thousands of people who auditioned for the show, she earned herself a golden ticket to Hollywood on February 27, which secures her advancement to the next round in the competition.

Champion's maternal grandparents Quinn and Vidya Jogie are originally from Chaguanas, Trinidad and now live in Long Island, New York.

She said her grandmother is a big Idol fan and always encouraged her to audition, believing she could make it all the way to the top. Champion agreed to do it when she was old enough, but said although her life revolved around music, deep down she never believed she would get the opportunity to do so. But then the unimaginable happened and she found herself on a stage in Nashville auditioning for singers Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, just like her grandmother predicted.

"I was super interested in music since I was about four and I started writing my own music when I was 12. In 2018, I entered a singing competition in New York called Coast 2 Coast Live and I won first place," the New Jersey resident told Sunday Newsday in a phone interview. This win drew attention to what the then 13-year-old was capable of and paved the way for her grandmother's dream come true.

"After I won that competition, they (talent scouts) asked my parents if I wanted to audition for Idol."

Because of the covid19 pandemic, Champion said the initial part of the process was virtual.

"I just had to send in videos, did interviews on Zoom calls and I had to sing online. When I made it through that round, I went to Nashville to audition live before the judges."

There, Champion put her heart and soul into her performance of Sam Smith's I'm Not the Only One. She said she chose that song because, apart from liking Smith's music, she felt the tone was good for her range.

"It was nerve wracking," she said about her turn in the spotlight and under heavy musical scrutiny.

"I was really nervous because I was the third person to audition out of the day one auditions and I was one of the younger contestants. The first girl who auditioned came out crying, making me even more nervous."

But as skittish as she was, the judges made her feel hopeful that she would get through to the next round when, after her performance, they encouraged her to delve deeper, relax and just embrace the song. She said she never expected them to be so "cool" and didn't think that she'd get to talk to them, even off camera.

"It was really a super cool opportunity. I was so close to the judges and they were all so nice. The entire experience was great. I had never been to Nashville, so I got to see a new place. In Nashville there is music everywhere, so I loved that so much."

And as excited as she is about the next round, Champion has had to hold her tongue about it because of her contractual obligation to American Idol.

"I’m not allowed to talk about what happens in the future with the show...But I can say that the winner gets a cash prize and they're signed to an American Idol contract to help promote their music."

Champion said she doesn't have a specific preference as it regards listening to music. But for singing, she leans toward R&B.

"I just like music on a whole. Each artiste is so different and it’s cool to have role models in different genres."

With no formal training, her talent is all natural and something she's "just always done it," even going so far as teaching herself to play the piano.

But, she told WMN, because music has always been "the dream" it may be time to start formalising it.

"When I go to college I'd like to study performing arts, but also business to deal with that aspect of it."

The junior at Rancocas Valley Regional High School said the only other thing she loves as much as music is volleyball and is on her school's team.

And although she has never been to TT, she is familiar with the beauty and tastes of the islands because her relatives frequently visit.

"My sister dances a lot and is always dancing to soca. I too love the music, and we all love the food because my family cooks Trini food all the time. I always hear about the beaches, food and the music and I'm just so jealous of everyone. I'd really love to visit some time."

For now, though, the focus is on the goal of becoming the next American Idol.