May 28th 2011
A SHINING STAR: KIM’S STORY
By Kendell “Scady” Eugene

She believes that there is a huge possibility that with the doors opened right now for her she can become a huge superstar. She however is not letting it get to her head. Kimbally remains grounded and very humble as she enjoys being the first ever, Starklass winner in St. Lucia - a win that has afforded her an album deal as well as two music videos.

Hey Kim, please introduce yourself to the YO! Readers.

I am 17 year old Kimbally Gedeon. I attend the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College where I study Business Administration. I am a former student of the Ciceron Secondary School and I am also a member of the National Youth Choir. I reside in the community of New Village with my mom, grandmother, brother and sisters. In my leisure time which I have so much of right now, because I am out of school until August, I write songs, sing, dance and listen to music. These are the things I take pleasure in the most but out of them all, I have an obsession for singing and writing songs and there is nothing or no one who can alter that.

How was it being on STARKLASS last WEEK?

Being on Starklass last week was fun and exasperating at the same time. Like I said, I love singing and I have fun doing it but the night of the show, although I drank a lot of water, my throat was so dry, I was so nervous, I felt like I was going to collapse on stage but apparently that didn’t happen. I went on and sang beautifully which I felt wasn’t good enough but I had fun doing it.

How has the feedback been since the performance?

The feedback has been good so far, so good that I am very busy these days. I have to perform at a few places this week and will also be performing at the National Telethon this Sunday. Apart from that I have met with Jeff Nolly who is the founder of Starklass to speak about the steps that we will be taking to travel and to obtain my prize which is a recording contract which includes ten tracks and two music videos.

How were the contestants?

I believe that the contestants were quite confident and I’m pretty sure that they enjoy singing like I do. So they went on stage and had fun whilst doing their best.

What songs did you sing at the competition?

At the competition, I sang “I who have nothing” by Jordan Sparks and “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood.

Two rounds, two songs! What made you choose the songs you sang?

The first song I sang was “I Who Have Nothing”. I chose that song because I wanted to demonstrate my full talent and I thought this would be the perfect song to do that and I was comfortable with it and I believed that the judges and audience would love it because a lot of them can relate to it not forgetting that it is a beautiful song. The other song was a substitute for an original song which I wrote for the competition but it was very difficult getting the backing track for it. However, that wasn’t the main reason for choosing this song. I chose it because it was the perfect song to sing after a very slow song because it is lively and “I love that song”. I wanted to perform it for ages and that I believed was the perfect opportunity to do so.

You have done live shows before, what have you learned so far?

Well, I no longer have stage fright. I learned that you have to give eye contact with your audience and you also have to move around on stage. You should also have confidence in everything that you do.

Tell us what winning the completion has gotten you?

I won the opportunity to record the songs I’ve been dying to do for ages. I have the opportunity to record ten tracks and two music videos in Martinique and also to perform many different places.

Do you have any tour plans?

I do have plans. Actually, according to how far and how good this album comes out, my manager and I have plans to take it beyond “local boundaries”.

Is there a difference between people who want to be famous and others who just want to be musicians?

There is a big difference between persons who want to be famous and person who just want to be musicians. I will use myself as an example. I have a passion for singing. I don’t sing because I woke up some day and just felt like singing or heard a nice song on the radio and say “you know what, I should sing too!” I grew up wanting to sing, I started singing and writing songs from very young and that shows the level of interest and the desire I possess for it. A person who wants to be famous will go beyond their abilities and do such things which please their audience because we all know that stars are not stars without fans. The fans make them who they are.

What do you want to be?

When I was younger I remember persons asking me that same question “What do you want to be” the response was and will forever be; a singer. A singer who will never forget the persons who were there for her when she was just a girl who wanted to sing. A singer who will never forget where she came from and how much she had to struggle to do get to where she is. A singer who will influence others to build their talents and help them believe in themselves.

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