Jackie Evancho Interview: Young Singing Sensation Makes Silver Screen Debut in Robert Redford's "The Company You Keep"
Written by Melissa Parker, Posted in Interviews Actors
Image attributed to Jackie Evancho
Jacqueline Marie “Jackie” Evancho who will be 13 years old on April 9, 2013, was inspired to sing by watching Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera. She began her career as an independent artist, releasing a self-produced album titled Prelude to a Dream in 2009. But Evancho became a household name after finishing in second place in the fifth season of America’s Got Talent.
With the 2010 holiday release of her O Holy Night EP, the young phenom became the best selling debut artist of that year, the youngest top-10 debut artist in US history and the youngest solo artist ever to go platinum. She has performed in front of President Barack Obama and her first full-length major label album, Dream With Me, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart.
"Well, it’s kind of confusing, but from what I know, Robert Redford had seen my PBS Special and thought that he could direct me. He contacted my manager and had me send in an audition tape. Within just a few weeks, I was on the set in Vancouver."
Evancho has been touring the United States performing songs from her fourth full-length album, Songs from the Silver Screen, released in October 2012 and can currently be seen making her big screen debut in The Company You Keep, a film produced and directed by Robert Redford, which hits theaters April 5, 2013.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Jackie, Happy upcoming birthday, and congratulations on becoming a teenager!
Jackie Evancho: Thank you!
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Congratulations also on landing your first film role. Did you audition for Robert Redford?
Jackie Evancho: Well, it’s kind of confusing, but from what I know, Robert Redford had seen my PBS Special and thought that he could direct me. He contacted my manager and had me send in an audition tape. Within just a few weeks, I was on the set in Vancouver.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): That was rather fast!
Jackie Evancho: Yeah (laughs).
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Did you find it difficult memorizing lines?
Jackie Evancho: No. The lines were actually pretty simple. The character was like me except a little bit sadder, like depressed.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Did you have to cry on cue?
Jackie Evancho: I didn’t have to, but it kind of added to the drama of it, so I tried to add in some crying. I don’t know if it worked out or not, or if you could tell (laughs).
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Why is your character so sad?
Jackie Evancho: I play Isabel, and she just lost her mom, so she’s sad and confused because her dad also left her, and she didn’t know why. All she has is the hope that he will come back.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Was Robert Redford a nice guy to work with?
Jackie Evancho: Yes, he was. He’s a great director because he was so patient and understanding of the situation I was in, so I was very thankful for that.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): You’re probably a little too young to remember some of Redford’s more famous films (laughs).
Jackie Evancho: Yeah (laughs). My dad told me he was a cowboy.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): He certainly has played a cowboy in several films. After this experience, are you interested in acting in more films?
Jackie Evancho: I would love to do more films, and I think it would be great if I became an actor/singer. If I had to choose one, I would definitely continue singing because singing is always going to be my main passion, but I think it would be great to act in the future.
Melissa Parker (Smashing interviews Magazine): You have been described as being a gifted child singer with a natural talent. What did your parents say when they found out you had a special vocal gift?
Jackie Evancho: To be honest, I’m not sure. They didn’t really think much of it, just thought I was better than usual with something that I loved and that when I got serious, I was really good at it. Many times they told me I needed to boost my confidence. I wouldn’t say I had low confidence, but …
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Maybe just a little shy?
Jackie Evancho: Yeah.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Were you always interested in music?
Jackie Evancho: Yes. I loved playing the piano, and I had played violin in school. I didn’t take professional lessons, but I always loved music and singing around the house.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Piers Morgan rarely raved about a contestant on America’s Got Talent, but he said, “That was perfection,” after your performance of “Ave Maria.” How did you feel about that experience on the show?
Jackie Evancho: It was a super exhilarating and exciting experience. For my first time on TV, I was very excited and nervous at the same time. I actually enjoyed the experience, and I was very honored that Piers and Sharon said such nice things about me.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): What stands out as being one of the highlights of your career?
Jackie Evancho: I recently did a Cirque du Soleil show, and that was an amazing thing. My parents said that I sounded phenomenal. I was really, really excited. I performed 100 feet in the air in a harness. It was awesome.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Do you practice singing every day?
Jackie Evancho: Not really. I should practice, but I actually don’t as often as I should. I practice. It’s just that it’s not every day. Basically, my mom and I go through the songs, and we just pick out the flaws and fix them. Then we go through the song again. Usually we just pick out three to five songs from my concert list, and then we go through them. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, just so long as we get an understanding of the songs.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): You attend cyber school?
Jackie Evancho: Yes. I do online public school. I mean, I loved public school, so I kind of miss it, but online public school is like the second best thing.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): I’m sure you made friendships in public school. Do you still hang out with those friends, or do they believe you are just too famous for them?
Jackie Evancho: I still have my true friends. I only have two, which I’m very thankful to have, and I think they are truly the best friends I could ever have.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): Tell me about your work with The Humane Society of the United States.
Jackie Evancho: They named me an Ambassador for Animals. Sometimes I’ll perform at the benefits to save the seals because I love them so much.
Melissa Parker (Smashing Interviews Magazine): In addition to your upcoming concerts, will there be new music coming out this year?
Jackie Evancho: I was thinking about a new album or songs for a new album. We’re not making one yet, but for the next one, I’d love to have original songs … songs that I wrote.
© 2013 Smashing Interviews Magazine. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the express written consent of the publisher.
Great Interview and great answers. Thanks for asking about the hi light. She was magnificent in the "One Night, One Drop" Cirque show. "Bridge over Troubled Water" should not be missed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw7e_qvPgks&list=PLZ7B6ov0WiLg9jbZQ5ATUfWXfVe2T0YnL&index=1 Jackie's singing and acting skills really shine! Can't wait to see "The Company You Keep"
I cringe a little when she says often that she doesn't practice much. She needs practice now more than ever, as she biologically navigates her way through adolescence. No offense to her mother, as she is obviously a marvelous coach or we wouldn't have the Jackie we have, but she needs a professional coach who is an expert in guiding adolescent singers through this transition. I say this because I've gotten no indication from her interviews that she is coached by anyone except her mother these days.
She is also touted as a hard worker, but frankly, running through a few songs is not what I'd call hard work. This is not to be cruel, but she is in a period in her life when weird things can start happening during her performances, and she needs to learn to predict and avoid those, even if it means changing a key of a song, modifying the melody, or avoiding songs altogether. Her timbre is the most beautiful it has ever been, but in her last several performances, she has cracked more notes than I've ever heard, and in some cases was not able to keep a steady timbre or volume throughout her registers. This is biology at work, so coaching is critical. Sadly, I've detected what seems to be worry or self-consciousness in her demeanor at times during concerts. If this is true, I would guess it is because she is uncertain about whether she will be able to get through some songs without these (normal) things happening, and I feel she is holding back for that reason. Taking some months off to train and learn to adjust would be good for her, and we loyal fans can wait.
It is also sad that she is down to only two friends who she trusts to like her for her, and not for the celebrity she is. At this age, she should have a flock of girlfriends to do sleepovers, parties, picnics and general play. It is perfectly normal to have just one or two close friends, but not healthy to have few others. Even if her other former classmates have become celebrity struck, she should occasionally have parties and invite these people, and do normal things like take-turn games that have other kids be the focus of attention. She probably has former friends who resent her too, but it goes without saying that it is no loss to put those people behind her.
She is having fun, and that's important. She loves what she does, and will do it for a long time to come. She just needs to know that she will soon be competing with the big kids, and the ride she's on right now might not carry her very far if she doesn't add more vocal training to her list of things that she looks forward to. She's popular and in demand right now, but we all know how quickly that stuff can vanish. Professional coaching, and practice, practice, practice…
A comment about your thinking she needs to practice, practice, practice. She sounds amazing now, and since she is going through her VOICE CHANGE., she needs to cut back, and save her voice. This is how many younger singers ruin their voices, by pushing it too much, and trying to get in a hurry to be better all the time. I am sure, once her voice has settled in, there will not be anyone to touch her vocally. Not many can now. She is doing just fine, and her mother, I am sure, is not just winging it. I would say, with the voice Jackie has now, compared to two years ago, she is on the right track, and everything is where it needs to be. Just some think she should be further along, but because of the voice change, this cannot be rushed. The other thing about her self confidence is, that she is a perfectionist, and does not want to make a single mistake. As far as competing with the big kids???? You've got to be kidding. You must not follow her mush, or you would know she does not sing with KIDS, she sings with the older adult professionals, and holds her own with them, and usually outshines them. She will be one of the best, if not the best CC singer in history.
I love how people think they know what is "best" for Jackie. What she should do and not do, how her life should be going. Just how many CDs do have out. How many sold out concerts. How many full orchestras you have sung with. Since the beginning of this wonderful girl's journey I have read people who think they know all about Jackie's voice, how she should not sing this or that. I am 57 wears old. I have been singing for 50 of those years. I do not have even one one hundredth of her ability but I know how the voice works. She will be fine. She will grow and so will her voice. You can't hurt a voice by not singing every day. Singing too much too often CAN cause damage, however. You do not know what you are talking about. Oh, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.
She signed a contract to release FIVE albums for SONY. So far she has given them just two. Many of her fans want her to work with David Foster again, and she can't until she satisfies her contract. Having said that, she's not going to make much money from her album sales. With the advent of the mp3 player and easy downloads, concerts are the primary income generators today.
And btw you CAN hurt your voice by not using it. Jennifer Rush retired from from music in 1997 at age 37 to concentrate on rearing her daughter. Thirteen years later she recorded an album and a comparison of her voice in 2010 with her voice in the 80s and 90s makes it very clear how much she lost in voice quality. I don't expect Jackie to do anything of the sort, but the old saying "use it or lose it" applies to voices as much as it does to bodies.
You are right about the contract but wrong about the number of albums she has produced. Check out O Holy Night, Heavenly Christmas, Dream With Me and Songs of the Silver Screen. All top 10 releases by the way.
I am a real fan of Jackie and i have been following her career sense she was on AGT. There have been trolls like you making the same comments for the last 3 years. Get over yourself. She has proved you all wrong. Granted she has had some bad nights but most of those were caused by cold's. When she preformed the “One Night, One Drop” Cirque show she was being treated for the flu so i don't think a fiew little voice problems are going to put her out of business. She just keeps getting better and better. Maybe that is because she and her mom spend practice time trying to improve on songs that she is already preforming with prefection. Your advice may have some meaning for a normal 13 year old but acording to 20/20 Jackie is no normal human. She is a supergirl and proves it at every concert she preforms at.
I'm not too worried about limited practice. David Foster has stated that she really works hard and she may be downplaying the amount of work that she is putting in. It does leave her a little "catch up" time but it also preserves her voice. Her voice will be changing also so who knows the results of that? Her Bridge OTW was amazing so she seems to be able to pull off the big performance when needed and I'm sure she practiced for that. Practice is important but a little over rated in that over training is more damaging in many ways than under training, since though under training might leave you vulnerable to injury, over training guarantees it by definition almost. Jackie is evolving into a true professional and dedicated to her craft; I'm certain she will do what it takes to remain relevant, if possible. She performs enough to make additional practice less necessary, as she says … working on the flaws. She is not singing opera (much) and is mic'd so her risk of over projection is minimized. Nonetheless, this may be a critical year for Jackie as well as for her fans. She may even have to limit performing while her voice matures.
From your alarmist comments, I presume you are assuming that Jackie is a mere mortal. If that is indeed the case, you may be right in crying wolf about her changing "biology" as she nears her teens, which is happening next week. But I prefer to look at it from a different perspective. However strange that may sound to you, I do not believe she is a mere mortal.
To begin with, I live by the old adage: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Being an observer from afar, I may not know any more than you do about what is going on in her life or her career, but my guess is this. Some people have already tried to fix it and that is why you are hearing "breaks" in her voice. It is not due to her voice changing because of her changing biology. From what I read recently, she is being checked on a regular basis and her vocal chords, her voice, her throat, are, and I quote, "in pristine condition". My guess is, and I could be wrong about this because I put a lot of faith in the wisdom of her protective parents (and I sincerely hope they are being very, even overly protective of Jackie) that although they know what they are doing, she is working a little too hard. I will explain that a little further on.
Jackie has a natural talent, a gift, not of a natural kind. She is a phenomenon. As she says herself, her gift is from God. She is a phenomenon because she is a small child with a very big voice. But it is much more than the voice. Her physical appearance has already changed considerably, not just because she is growing up and is about to become a teenager, but because of what "show business is doing to her, in spite of her parents' vigilance. It is practically unavoidable.
Her present status as a child singing wonder will not be considered such a phenomenon for very much longer because she will be growing into her voice. And the show-business vultures are probably pushing to exploit her talents as much as they can, while she is still considered to be a "wonder child". What becomes of her after that, they couldn't care less. Look at what happened to Charlotte Church and so many others.
Having watched and listened to her videos and recordings from before AGT to the present many times over, I have noticed changes in her voice and in her performances. At times, there were flaws in her voice, but perfection is not the criteria on which to pass judgement here. Her voice has indeed improved with time, when she was allowed to sing her way, which was from her heart and from her soul. Her guidance was from heaven itself. Her innocence. The way she stood and sang, and lived the music she sang, is what made her the success she became and is. People felt her presence because she touched their souls with her voice, and yet, much more than her voice. Many people wept because of the truth she made them feel about themselves. And I am sure she made a lot of "believers" out of doubters and agnostics.
Unfortunately, (and I am only making assumptions here, because of my past dealings with "show-business" types) show-business "types" only see dollar signs in front of their eyes. If they had been there when Jesus was around, they would have signed him up for a promising deal as long as they could put the crucifixion and the resurrection on video for future exploitation. And they would have had him look straight at the camera for better effect. Oh! Come to think of it, they are still doing it, two thousand years later.
Jackie used to sing from a static position on the stage and sang with her eyes closed most of the time. In her more recent concerts, I got the impression that someone coached her into connecting more with the audience by walking around and looking at the audience and at the cameras. As a result, she was more nervous, and less concentrated on her singing from within than just belting out the songs to fulfill the contract of the concert arrangements. That, combined with a hectic schedule, of concerts and school, as well as some time with her family, to keep her "grounded", in spite of her being from another world, she is still a little girl who needs a lot of rest and a lot of love, not exploitation. She does not need show-business coaching to make her more audience appealing to increase her demand and her sales. She was doing much better when she was being herself, doing her thing, and her coaching came from heaven itself.
So, dear well meaning person, accept the fact that she is not an ordinary little girl and probably understands much more about what her own needs are than any of us, including you. My prayer are with her parents with my wishes and hopes that they keep the vultures far, far away from her, and be very selective about who they deal with in that nefarious world of show-business, or they will see her turn their angel, their jewel, this voice from God, into a rag doll.
I enjoyed this interview with Jackie mainly because it asked relevant questions. I was particularly touched by Jackie's response to the question about her friends. Not attending a regular school where our social skills are honed or not through making friends has got to be tough on Jackie as it is on all young artists taken away from that social setting. Its obvious that Jackie knows this and appreciates the fact that she does have two true friends, as she eloquently put it, that have stayed with her through this transition of her becoming a megastar at such an early age. I hope that she will cultivate her friendships and that they in turn will do the same. We all need someone outside the family realm in which to confide our feelings and thoughts in an unthreatened and unconditional manner. My prayer is that Jackie will always have that. Thanks again for wonderful interview with one of the truly engaging young personalities and talents of our time.
What a wonderful girl. Great interview but still the humble beautiful girl. Love everything she does. She is truly an inspiration.
I have been an admirer and advocate of this young lady for some years and have anxiously been following her career. She has, without doubt, a rare and unique talent that I was always worried could be used by the business she is in, to pull her in all sorts of directions culminating perhaps in a loss of direction and uncertainty of purpose.
I have to say I totally agree with Saffies comments above, I have two 12 year old granddaughters going through the same restless stage in life and they find it hard enough without the pressures that Jackie is evidently subject to. I believe we can already see these outside influences and pressures mani folding themselves particularly in the recent circus show.
I mean really what was the point of strapping this girl into a harness 100 feet above the stage and then lowering her down and back up again like some elevator surely not the best environment to extract a wonderful performance and I'm sorry but I don't think it did.
Then we come to what I consider to be the biggest farce having her make an entrance wading through water, dolled up to look like one of those dreadful American child beauty contestants to sing Bridge over troubled water that she seemed to be uncomfortable singing. She lost both timbre and control between the registers which as Saffie says is more likely to be down to her age and was really totally the wrong song for her. I am not sure she is crossover artist at all and now we have her head being turned to make a movie by none other than Robert Redford!!
I've no doubt that my twelve year olds would find it very easy to be swept along with all of this attention, would it be right for them…probably not! To Jackies Mum and family please be careful, you have a priceless jewel to nurture and grow, beware the circus of celebrity and showbiz, they are for the most part ethereal and short term . I will continue to watch her career with bated breath as I believe she has in her to become a very rare find..a legend in her own time.
Troll number 2 strikes.
What and how can you possibly object to Jackie apearing at “One Night, One Drop” Cirque show. It is a charity show for goodness sakes. What kind of soulless animal are you. Don't you read the reviews? You are the only one that thinks she should have stayed home. Can your daughter's even sing Jingle Bells? Get a real life and talk about something that you know, if there is such a thing.
Pay no mind to clive he's just jealous his two granddaughters together don't have 1/10 the talent Jackie has.
Good comment. Tell clive to 'get a life' Jackie had the time of her life 'in the grid' 'in the water' and in a great hotel in a great city . She was the hit of the show and who cares about her 'timbre' Her vision was beyond words , Love from all of us true fans to the future of decent music , the wonderful J. M. E.
I find your comments on the quality of Jackie's performance strange .. as a vocal coach who specializes in young voices thought it was exquisite and one of her greatest critics grudgingly said she sang beautifully with uncanny phrasing, etc. I guess it just shows that everyone hears with their own ears. I thought her performance of BOTW was transcendant. I don't like that song that much and I was mesmerized by her voicing it and have played it several times per day since. No one can guarantee how a young tween travels through their teen years. Not many would want to repeat them, either!! A large cadre of friends might work for some, it doesn't work for others. We are not privy to other satisfying relationships that Jackie is enjoying and you can only garner that she has 2 really good friends. Actually, that's pretty good if a teen has 2 people that she/he can count on for friendship, honesty, loyalty, and laughter. Many do not have that many. Neither success, nor talent, nor beauty guarantees smooth passage, so we can only offer support and best wishes and good luck. Most of us have experienced "shifting friendships, loyalties, and alliances" during the teen years so not having a large cadre isn't necessary detrimental… maybe reduces the risk of adverse relationships, too. She has a great family and that can only help her through this most uncertain of periods of life!
You are right on the mark. I expressed the very same views to my wife as we watched the show. It may have been a charity event, but i thought it was very poorly done, and we saw more of jackie's performance coming down from "heaven" during the rehearsals than during the show itself. And she was not at all natural or relaxed during her performance of the song while walking in water. She may have felt good about contributing to the charity, but the audience reaction to her performance was nothing at all like the ovations she gets in concert.
As for your comments in regards to what I refer to as "show-business vultures", you are absolutely right, and it is showing, as I described in my previous comment above. I sincerely hope her parents remain true to their principles, and guard her like hawks.
I believe Jackie will become the greatest singer of this generation if she isn't already (certainly she's the best I've ever heard; she even beats my old favorite, Sandy Denny), but fewer rehearsals right now = probably a really good idea. No problem waiting a little longer for the next album/tour if it helps safeguard her voice.
I really like the idea of an album of original songs.
Me too and i hope her uncle Matt comes up with some more songs too. To Believe was awsome!
jrchico……..or uncle jrchico……….
Some things i noticed speaking of bare footed Jackie prancing through water (both in the past in her own little puddle in the back yard to the show with the song bridge over troubled water)
When she first started down this road of super stardom she had ducks, bunnies, and critters of every sort,
but on one interview, as she is so honest sometimes…….the critters were gone after only about a year or so.
Now replaced by cuter critters (cuter not better)
But with only two human friend's her age and her loving family
the solitude begins to set in….its lonely at the top.
I personally love the idea of having here go to events where she is not the center of attention and meet people, what ever makes her happy.
lonely is a disease……." at times you will feel so lonely you will invite the devil in." just one of my sayings….
i would also like to say with comments like these well educated comments , i tend to think Jackie has one million god parents. and she is hard not to love.
one other thing >……i am a sound system and distribution engineer, as well as many many other disiplines…i not only work on things like fire alarm audibility but also may things to do with music including special effects that blow peoples minds……….enough back ground……one of the first things i noticed about jackie is her range and power to her voice……….she wrecks the recording equipment……and blows the 20 to 20,000 curve to pieces….her voice is on some scopes so perfectly clean its unheard of and on others you can tell she is holding back and could range a whole lot further…….but to hear jackie at her finest use some decent equipment please…..and please remember someone is editing what you hear……..as her voice gets louder and softer and the crackles an pops of switches…………………bottom line listen to her live …..then form an opion please.
Sorry about going off on the trolls Melissa before i comented on your interview. Great job, you managed to get some new and intrigueing answers from our little Superstar. I know she has over 30,000 friends on twtter but that is not exactly the same thing as people you can go for pizza with but some of them are pretty imprssive anyway. It is interesting that she uses practice time to improve her songs. To most of her fans, the music she sings is already prefection and now we know why they just keep getting better.
Wow! Miss Jackie Evancho amazes me with every interview she gives. She really is becoming quite a great interviewee, Ha, Ha. What a little pro she is becoming as a result. I never had very many friends growing up-even at school-maybe one good friend along with my brothers and family. Jackie Evancho is a devote Catholic with very high morals-along with a strong family structure. I doubt very much if Hollywood or any other group will ever corrupt her high morals. Over the years Miss Jackie has had the top notch vocal coaches available in the industry, I don't think she needs to worry over whether she needs to get or retain vocal coaches AKA: Miss Yvei Burnett- a great opera Mezzo- soprano in her own right! Miss Jackie Evancho has learned great singing techniques from her. " Don't worry be happy", Miss Jackie is on the top of her game. When she sang at the Circque Su Soliet "One Night/One drop" gig-well she was kind of sick with the flue-ya know? but she troopered right along–because she is a bonfire pro and didn't want to disappoint-besides all her millions of fans were praying for her. In my 40 + years in the music industry- I haven't seen any thing like her-she nailed that song " Bridge Over Trouble Water" and then some, a musical genius foe sure! not bad with someone having the flue! ya that's what I'm talk'n about! Miss Jackie has so much energy and enthusiasm for her craft-her parents have to hold her back. I've been around loads of singers and entertainers over the years and let me tell ya, they have a six sense of when they need to practice and when they don't, it's called professionalism. People worry to much about nothing. I've had singers and pro musicians in my family and that's what they've told me. Miss Jackie has sang with some of the best singers in the world and have learned from them immensely-such as Sumi Jo–A world class Bell Canto soprano-considered one of the best opera singers in the world. If any one didn't know-later on this month she will be singing in a show with Jose Carreras over in Taiwan -considered one of the best tenors in the world. Miss Evancho will be in great hands with him. Miss Jackie and her mother-Lisa has said she doesn't do anything that she doesn't want to do! and has related to her fans that fact. I don't think that we need to worry about her career or future singing -she'll do just fine. "Out of the babes of a child wisdom speaks"!…. We can't sit on our laurels and expect great thing to happen–we only get out of life what we put into it! Op.cited
Carreras is not the singer he once was. He doesn't sing in operas now, and performs almost exclusively with pop singers, Jackie being the exception here. He may have lost most of his magnificent voice, but his ears are still sharp, which is why he's singing with Jackie. 🙂
BTW I believe it's "out of the mouths of babes…". 🙂
Clive,
Jackie's makeup during her performance at One-Drop was stage makeup so her features could be discerned even by people in the back of the theater. She was, as all Cirque performers do, playing a character, not Jackie Evancho. Notice she did not wave or bow to the audience. It was a choreographed performance of a character related to water. I don't know what performance you watched, but this nonsense about timber and control didn't apply to what i watched. It was pure beauty!
I have followed Jackie's career for almost 3 years now, am about to attend my 4th concert , have almost all of her CDs and I'm constantly amazed at her voice and the sincere soul felt way she interprets a song.
From all I've seen and heard she's a well grounded, down to earth person who inspires the good in all of us through her gift.
I'm always taken aback by those who either think they either know better than her parents, and management team or those who try to project and cast Jackie in some Victorian image they have created in their minds.
I just live hearing her sing, will buy anything she ever produces and wish her and her family the very best.
Ken
bridge over troubled water was the best ive EVER heard it sung,jackie is incredible even if her voice cracks a little.if she stopped singing today it would be tragic but thousands would remain her loyal fans for who SHE is……….INCREDIBLE.totally captivating
OMG! I missed her Cirque performance! Shucks! How can I see the complete performance? I only have slow dial-up, so downloading is out of the question. Anyone? Thanks. I think all the comments have a legitimate reason for their posting, negative or not. The fans are just thinking of what's in the best interest of our precious Jackie, given their life's experience. I've been on the Broadway stage, from age 7-10. As a result, I grew up in the vanity of my mind, filled with a plethora of vain fantasies. After a failed young marriage of only 18 months, I started to realize in my 50's what responsibility really is. Now, pushing 70, I'm ready for the next world, but so grateful for living to see, and hear an angel like Jackie. She has made my world, 'alive' again, and full of hope! Even against hope. I still cry when I play the Bluray of her "Dream With Me" performance in Fla. I would like to see her 'Silver Screen' vid available in Bluray also.
Keep up the great work Jackie! Never change. You have the greatest parents in the world along with your siblings! Stay with your religion, for God loves faithfulness. For without faith, it's impossible to please God. I was a Catholic also, with strict Catholic nuns and all that "Dominos and Nabisco" Latin sermons. But I never knew Jesus until I was 'born again' and learned what the Bible was trying to teach, in English, not Latin. I will never regret all my failures in life because of you, Jackie! Thank you for being you! I hope you'll sing at my funeral when the time comes. You're my "dream daughter". Please come to D.C. and Northern Va., (Kennedy Center, Wolftrap Farm Park, George Mason Univ, Constitution Hall, etc.)
Do you have a friend that can download it on to a flash drive for you? It is all over the place on you-tube.
Jackie we are all in awe of how your career has taken off like a light beam, and deservedly so for you were sent to this earth with this wonderful gift for us to hear and now see on the screen. In a few day's you will be thirteen, and in a few years you will be entering college, and I do hope that you will attend a most outstanding school with the very best professional teachers there are. You deserve that, and more for your great courage and accomplishments. It takes a great heart to do what you have so far, and don't forget to keep giving thanks to the very one who sent you into this world. May the blessings of our creator alway's be with you.
Dear oh dear
I was saddened to see that holding a different opinion, to which we are all entitled, could immediately result in such a venomous attack, and being labelled a troll? A character from a fairy tale that lives under a bridge?..really?
Now the nub of what I said was, that it seems like all of you I have taken an interest in the meteoric rise of this bright and shining star.
I have no problem with her appearance in this show for charity, why would I?
For me personally I did not like the two sets, although the BoTW was the better of the two, it simply seemed that the sets were so extreme they threatened to overshadow the performer.
In view of some comments on here I have re visited the videos and lets just say in parts of BOTW I still think there are issues, however I was totally unaware complications with flu etc etc. for which of course she is to be totally commended for continuing with the appearance.
I said she has it in her to become a rare and precious find..a legend in her own time..one that will outshine and eclipse many if not all of our major singing stars and I still believe that.
I shall not post again as I have no intention of prolonging this exchange of views. I shall continue to buy her albums, watch her shows and maybe one day, if she comes to the UK, see her in concert.
So feel free to be as venomous as you wish or perhaps an apology maybe forthcoming
We shall see
If you don't think you are a troll you should reread your post and apologize for the false concern and the dissing of a great charity performance.
There's always those who find fault no matter what; it seems to me she does awfully well doing things the way she's doing them. She's terrific and it seems her parents are doing a pretty good job with her. She commented in an interview a while back that she didn't want to do a musical because she wants to sing the way she wants to rather than change her. There's the key, she does well doing things her way. Good for you kiddo…she's the best.
I had a dilemma for this movie because normally I would avoid this kind of leftist political movie like the plague. But since Redford was smart enough to cast Jackie, I will see it just to see her. Hopefully the movie will be good in its own right, and not just because of Jackie. I wonder if Redford has any idea how many new people he will bring to the audience, just because he cast Jackie.
As for her singing, I thought her performance of BOTW in One Drop was magnificent, not just her performance, but the whole production. Jackie has always had an otherworldly etherial quality to her performances, and this production complimented that perfectly. It is even more stunning that she could give a great performance like that while down with the Flu.
As for practices, anybody with her singing schedule has to worry about voice overuse, so it makes sense to cut back on practice exercises, since her performance provides plenty of exercise anyway. And what she is doing, going over past performances to improve them, and finding and learning new songs, is exactly the kind of thing she should be doing to get even better.
As for best friends, most normal kids at this age only have a few best friends, lots of acquantances, but few real friends. And she also has a strong family, and strong faith, which should also keep her out of trouble, and keep her happy.
I hope by now you have managed to see the movie. The movie was ok. Not R.R's best or worst but ok. Every actor did a great job but the plot was a little slow and contraversel.
I am amazed at this young girls talent. Try and explain to me how anyone just wakes up with a voice like this. I can not hear enough of her beautiful voice. I am 60 years old and hope I live another 20 years to see what God has in store for all of us through this angel.
Will be seeing this little Angle on the 13th here in LV and can only say the God is watching over Her and Her Family. Bless you teenager .
As a lifelong professional musician I've known scores of musicians who perform regularly for audiences at all levels. Some sound LOUSY no matter how much they practice. I honestly don't know how they get hired, but they DO. Others practice when they can, and with just a few hours per week, can play well enough that they are in constant demand, because their musicianship is superlative. Clearly, it is a good thing to practice regularly. But to claim that only by practicing many hours every day can a person be a professional musician is in my experience, false. Some people will NEVER benefit from that. Others may get diminishing returns, so that practice can begin to make the fine motor skills actually deteriorate. I've known a few professional musicians who play professionally at a very high level, but have many activities, and are able to practice ONLY irregularly, and yet are able to perform to strict standards for studio and concert jobs.
Jascha Heifitz is supposed to have said, "If I miss a day practicing, I can hear the difference. If I miss two days, the critics hear it. If I miss three days, the AUDIENCE hears it." It's a great quote, and when you are competing at that stratospheric level, there's probably some truth to it.
But for Pete's sake, it's not reasonable to insist that Jackie Evancho sacrifice her childhood to a drudgery of practice to meet some arbitrary standard. However many hours she spends per time period has been sufficient to bring her to a level already that surpasses 99 percent of humanity. Is there some committee somewhere I missed hearing about that sets requirements for minor children for how many hours they must spend in daily music drill?
David, you sound like someone who has an understanding of the world that few seem to have. I think that practice is the road to success for 90% of all professionals in any endeavor but there are a rare few in any endeavor that are naturals at what ever it is that they love. Jackie seems to be one of those people. We can only hope that she continues to love to perform and bless us with her lovely music..
If you believe God given gift all will be fine,except when your running with flu and sore throat. Still she nail the song beautifully and perfect version of Jackie Evancho style. I was amaze after playing over and over in YT. If you have strong faith,no need to worry. His power is unlimited. The gift will last and stay with you forever. As long as you use that gift in good way. Maybe for some who just developel their vocal voice needed extensive practise. Not with Jackie, since the gift comes from above. Same with people who are born genius,even they never graduate college,their mind is above average with people who have Phd. and who study years of years in their entire life. We have few in our family that are gifted. Some failed and some used it. Just let her be "Jackie" she is happy with her family and friends beside her fame. Friends come and go,but your family stay forever with you, high and low.
On the issue of practice. Jackie did her practice in the 2 yrs before AGT, when she enthusiastically sang at every podunk talent contest, church, local TV show, small fair, nursing home, local small business, and any other venue her mother could find, gaining the experience she needed to perfect that brilliant sound we first heard on AGT. She paid her dues. Now if, in the midst of a steady performance schedule that many artists could not handle, if she wants to cut back a little on constant vocal drills, to both preserve her voice from overuse, and to get a little time to have fun as a kid, I say more power to her.
These trolls like Clive are all the same, and many like him constantly troll any jackie forum. They start by expressing their "concern", pretend musical knowledge they do not have, and throw out constant minor criticisms. Then they steadily escalate and end up trashing everything about her, and insulting anybody that loves her performances, and then attack us for trolling when we finally object to their trolling. Dont let them ruin things for you. Most people in the entertainment world with real talent know what jackie is, and love her. Let us enjoy jackie for the brilliant prodigy she is, and eagerly wait for her to grow up and become even more brilliant.
People make judgments based on a mental framework that was formed from their own experience, knowledge gained by their own activities and from what they were taught in formal education. So they comment and critique others by the result of that framework.
Some people think Jackie should let her voice mature and be allowed to "be a child" before hitting the professional circuit. The opportunity train only comes by once and talent had better hop on while it's in the station. The worst thing one can do to a prodigy is stifle them until "they are ready" emotional or physically. Most of the comments to that effect I read are from people that have never worked or lived with a prodigy and have no first hand knowledge of the performer or their awesome built in abilities.. How the prodigy intuitively adjusts their presentation before it even becomes a problem. They would prefer to let the subject watch tv at home, shopping at the mall, texting school gossip with their girlfriends instead of traveling around the world, meeting famous people, four star hotels and seeing wondrous sites, and making a bundle of money. That's the alternative. I know which I would pick. Unless you have worked with and studied prodigies you shouldn't use the frame work you have built to comment on them.
The new Redford movie is R rated, and Jackie is only 13 years old, which means she can't even see it yet…..
Actually she has already seen it at its Premier in Canada in the company of her father and Robert Redford.
I am in TOTAL AWE about Jackie. I absolutely love her singing, I love her voice and I love
a
I am absolutely in "AWE" about Jackie. I love her voice, I love her singing, I love her choice of songs. I really love how genuinely sweet her personality is. Can You feel, that I am really in love with her, since I have found out about her. I am a 79 year old grandmother. I wanted to sing . When I was 16 years old, I tried to get singing lessons. There were no funds available for such extravagant wishes. Good for you Jackie that you have parents who recognized your talent and are standing one thousand percent behind you. Yes the money is beautiful, as long as you stay true to yourself. I have been very successful in my live on a different level and I should have a swollen head, but I have always stayed firmly planted with both my feet, it never went to my head. Success is even if you can handle success very well. Stay healthy, stay grounded and stay true to yourself.Good Luck and ALL the Best Wishes.
Keep on singing, keep on singing, keep on singing. Never mind those people that have to criticize but can not do it any better, they are only filled with envy in more than one way. And for your whole family the very, very best always.
May Peace and Freedom surround you always, where ever Life will take you.
I am saddened and befuddled by the knee-jerk reaction to my post, and the overuse (especially by jricho) of the word, "trolll." You have no idea what an internet troll is. You use it to attack and attempt to dismiss anyone who does not see the world your way. In a forum I moderate, YOU would be the troll, as attacking someone repeatedly is grounds for moderator sanction.
I'm also disappointed in a later comment that implied that I think Jackie should practice at the expense of her childhood. Did I say that? Really? Go back and read my post. I will concede that saying practice three times makes it seem like that I want to her to practice for hours, but my major thrust is in coaching by a professional who is an expert in getting teens' voices through the transition without harm. How is that trolling? I have attended five of Jackie's concerts. I own every CD and DVD version that has been printed, including Asian versions, I evangelize for this girl to everyone I know. I think it's appalling that her self-described "real" fans will so readily squash another fan for offering an opinion contrary to their own.
Jackie recently tweeted that she needed more rehearsal time for her Taiwan concert. Uhmm, yeah… that's called practice. That's what I mean. She almost brags about not rehearsing. She needs coaching and rehearsal. How can anyone disagree with that!?!? To reiterate (because it still bothers me), PLEASE stop calling people trolls just because you don't agree with them. Please.
I don't think you will find many here that will agree with you. A piece of advice. Don't go to her fan site and spout your garbage or the mediator's will give you the boot in a big hurry.
I'm a member of three of her fan sites, including her official one. There are no "mediators" on any of them, but there are moderators (albeit not very active on her her official site). Why do you use dismissive language in an effort to essentially nullify a person's entire post? Garbage? Which parts? Why? Have a discussion, for goodness' sake.
I'm surprised that you didn't know (since you're a "real" fan LOL) that Mike and Lisa have asked fans not to go on the attack in a misguided effort to defend their daughter. It doesn't make you look like the hero I imagine you see yourself as, but as an irrational person bent on defaming anyone who says anything you don't want to hear. Tell me, line-by-line, what it is you didn't like about my post, and why. Don't just throw insults and wave me off like I'm a nobody.
What is the moderators name on Jackies official site? And yes this is a test.
You want line by line so here you go
Saffie
No offense to her mother, as she is obviously a marvelous coach or we wouldn’t have the Jackie we have, but she needs a professional coach who is an expert in guiding adolescent singers through this transition. I say this because I’ve gotten no indication from her interviews that she is coached by anyone except her mother these days.
I don't see your point, she is a prodigey. To learn anything from a teacher, the teacher has to be better or more knowlegable than the student. Who are you suggesting as her teacher? She has sung with some of the best artists in the world and they don't seem to find her lacking so what is your problem.
She is also touted as a hard worker, but frankly, running through a few songs is not what I’d call hard work. This is not to be cruel, but she is in a period in her life when weird things can start happening during her performances, and she needs to learn to predict and avoid those, even if it means changing a key of a song, modifying the melody, or avoiding songs altogether.
1.
Do you mean she should cancel concerts when she gets a cold or cancel an apearance when she gets the stomach flue as she had when she sang Bridge over Troubled Water for the One Drop bennifit show?
It is also sad that she is down to only two friends who she trusts to like her for her, and not for the celebrity she is. At this age, she should have a flock of girlfriends to do sleepovers, parties, picnics and general play. It is perfectly normal to have just one or two close friends, but not healthy to have few others.
She has two best friends and a million fans. How many best friends do you have? Most people only have one. I am pretty sure that you don't have any fans. She has said in interviews that she goes to some school functions so I am sure that she has a social life that is not being shared with everyone that wants to know what she had for breakfast in the morning.
She just needs to know that she will soon be competing with the big kids, and the ride she’s on right now might not carry her very far if she doesn’t add more vocal training to her list of things that she looks forward to.
I think you have no idea of what you are saying. Big kids? Like T. Bennet? Sumi Jo? Sarah Brightman? And the list goes on and on.Who do you think she is competing with?
If all else fails she can be a model, movie star.
After this, I'm done with you. You know why? Ad hominem attacks (look it up). And you give me a test? Are you kidding me? I'm going to give you the name of the woman who moderates a forum just to satisfy your thirst for… what? What is it you are trying to prove? You want to discredit me, don't you? Why? You call yourself a "real fan." Why? Why do you create a fan hierarchy, and place yourself at the top of the heap? Next you'll be giving me a loyalty test, like something you'd see in Communist China.
What are you doing that's good for Jackie? You didn't even acknowledge what I said about Mike and LIsa. You think you're defending her, but according to them (and I agree), people like you who go on the attack do her more harm than good. I feel like you've read too many debates with opera snobs on a certain blogger's website (you know which one I'm referring to – again, I'm not going to name names), and you're trying to lump me in with the worst of them.
Thank you for the line-by-line. I will respond to your points briefly. You imply that a prodigy (not prodigey) does not need coaching. It sounds like you don't know this, but even the best singers are coached, regularly. I once met Barbara Streisand's coach, and I suppose I had the same reaction you might have had; I was surprised that someone so accomplished would need coaching. Think of it this way, there is likely not a single pro athlete who doesn't have a trainer. When I suggest that Jackie needs to be coached through this change in her life, by someone who is an expert in training adolescents through this period, I am NOT criticizing her voice! I honestly don't understand why you would read that into what I said, unless like I suggested, you have developed a knee-jerk response to anything said about Jackie that you don't happen to like (I think you would not get so upset if you would read what people say more closely).
When did I suggest she should cancel concerts? I said that her repertoire and singing style need to be adjusted while she's in this period. And speaking of BOTW, it exemplifies what I'm talking about when I said she could modify her repertoire; the song highlights her exquisite voice without much risk. But even in BOTW, listen for the word, "comfort." You will not hear it. She mouthed it, but the note did not materialize. This is what I'm referring to when I say that weird stuff can start happening. Her vocal apparatus is still developing. You are somehow suggesting that Jackie is above biology? Get real. She is 13 – an absolutely critical time in any singer's life. Would you have her sing Nessun Dorma at this point? I think your answer would be no, and if so, you know what I'm talking about, so don't pretend you don't. I am not insulting the girl.
How many friends do I have? Why, why, why did you ask that? That is the kind of cheap-shot stuff that I'm talking about. You attack me for no good reason whatsoever, unless you feel personally attacked, or like I said before, you fashion yourself as a hero defender to Jackie. I think you need to look at your motives and ask yourself whether Jackie really needs you to defend her the way you do, or at all. You seem to have less faith in Jackie than you project onto me. Many newly famous performers (or even someone who, say, just won the lottery), experience a sense of isolation because they "find out who their friends are." Wanting Jackie to have more friends is a natural wish, yet you make me out to be some kind of menace to her for suggesting it.
Big kids means exactly that. I'm not talking about Sumi Jo or anyone else (I know who she's performed with, but thank you for trying to educate me). I am talking about the same thing Jackie expressed concern about in her NPR interview with Michelle Norris. She said that she worries that when she gets older, people might not like her because she won't be the little girl with the big voice. By "competing with the big kids," I am literally talking about people her age. She is 13 now, but will fast become a young adult. My point was that nothing at this point in her life should be taken for granted. In fact, that is the thrust of my comment. Like any other pro, she needs coaching. If, as we are led to believe, she isn't professionally coached, then in my opinion that is a mistake.
Again, I am done with you, and I will leave it to readers to figure out why if you haven't figured it out. I'm sure you will do some sort of victory dance by moving in for the kill in my absence. Have at it if it makes you feel better. I do think, however, that you should rethink your approach to "debating" with people about Jackie. You don't seem to look for the goodness in people. You demonized me in a particularly insulting and vicious way, and THAT is the reason I will have no further interaction with you. If you had intelligently and rationally engaged me in a discussion, instead of acting like Jackie's personal guard dog, then I'd stick around. I'll see you on the forum (but you won't see me).
By the way, I am pretty sure you have met my husband, and I just wonder if you would take the same tone with him (about me), or to me in front of him, if I had been able to come with him. It is often said that anonymity on the web brings out the worst in people. I would not hesitate to bring up the points I made above (and have) with other fans in person. I have had very cordial discussions with other fans, and as much as it might pain you to hear this, many share my view, because there's nothing bad about what I said—you just choose to read it that way. Just ask yourself if you would try to crucify me in person. I'm not knocking anonymity—I do so for my personal safety—but I am knocking rudeness, and you have done an exemplary job at it. Think about that, and have a nice life…
Saffie
Sorry if you think you were the victim of Ad hominem attacks. I was just telling it like it is. I would have answered any internet (concern troll ) (look it up) the same way.
Yes, Jackie was concerned she would loose her attraction when she got older but that was 2 years ago. I don't think you would get the same answer today. The opera snobs on the site you are referring to have mostly realized that Jackie is not a flash in the pan and makes no pretense of being an opera star even if Google lists her as the youngest opera star. Most of them seem to now appreciate her for what she is.
I think you have me confused with some one else. I am not defending Jackie, she needs no defense, I was only pointing out that there were trolls here.
I probably wouldn't have bothered to respond to you if I had realized that you were a n English teacher as I barley managed to graduate from high school 50 + years ago.
Last but not least, lurking and not posting would probably be the best option if you don't want to get your feelings hurt.
Whatever problems Jackie was having during the winter, they are definitely over, and lately her voice has emerged as even more incredible than ever if that is possible.
The only problems that I was aware of was a bout of the cold and then the stomach flue but her voice seems to improve with each performance. Her movie career seems to be off to a good start as she had good reviews for her part in R.R.'s movie. Possible good news. Her duet partner is supposed to be on AGT tonight so we can hope he dose well also. (Josh Page).
I just want to comment on references to "Hollywood Vultures." Jackie would not be where she is today without the entertainment industry. Jackie has wanted to walk Hollywood's red carpet from day one. If it weren't for America's entertainment industry, she would be still singing on YouTube and at nursing homes. She and her parents have bought into this industry not out of the goodness of their hearts, rather they want to taste the success of hard work. Hollywood is full of hardworking people and they don't deserve this Hollywood Vultures label.
Thank you, Kevin. Terms like "Hollywood vulture" are thrown around carelessly and pointlessly. Really unnecessary. Lots of people go into the making of a movie. Just stick around for the long, long list of credits and job titles after a movie sometime. Cameramen, grips, drivers, screenwriters, best boys, editors, set technicians, etc. Are all these people greedy vultures? The ones I have known are hardworking and talented technicians of a craft they love, professionals who appreciate the talent of others.
Gentlemen – My reference to "Hollywood Vultures" was not meant as an attack on the hard working people of the show-business industry, those behind the scenes who turn the written words into a reality/fantasy on the screen. And "Hollywood Vultures" does not refer to only the people of Hollywood. It is an expression used in reference to mostly the money side of the show-business industry, whether they are in Hollywood or New York, Vancouver, Toronto or Cannes.
My comment was in reference to the money people who, in only very rare cases, have genuine concern and affection for the artists. Generally they treat artists as commodities with a certain (given) degree of commercial value. They evaluate the potential earning value of that artist based on public demand and will exploit that artist for only as long as that commercial value exists while extracting the maximum revenue in as short a time possible, regardless of the effect it has on the artist, as an artist or as a person.
Showbusiness is a wonderful business for the truly talented artists with a genuine love for their craft, strong character and determination to succeed, and not allow themselves to be a mere product of exploitation, because it is also a dirty and ruthless business with scavengers around just about every corner, including personal managers and accountants, plus all the other hangers-on.
The proof of that is in the history of many artists who have been put through the wringer then dropped like a wet rag once the value was gone and the coffers were empty. And too often that value is gone because of the heartless over exploitation of the artist who, compared to the revenue that goes into the "vultures'" coffers, gets but a pittance in return and is left behind, an emotional wreck on the platform while the train leaves the station with nary a wave goodbye.
Meanwhile, the show goes on, with the latest sensation to hit the scene.
I am surprised that there are not more people expressing disappointment that there doesn't seem to be a third great performances concert. Those concerts expose Jackie to more people than all of the concerts she is doing in one city after another. It is also nice for those of us who don't live where we can actually attend on of them. The lack of a third concert probably is due to her recording contract. I think she would love to work with David Foster again but the contract probably prohibits that.
Now that Jackie is an adolescent, she will be seen more as an adult performer and less as an adorable child. She will be under considerable pressure to be an "entertainer" and will have to make a critical decisions about her career. Personally, I'm not impressed with Sony and wish she was back with Syco/David Foster. Did her performances in Russia and Taiwan do anything for her career? I think she should have toured Europe and Australia. I could see Jackie as a Celtic Woman performer. To be a Celine Dion level performer in her 30s, she will have to be chosen to sing future iconic theme songs for major entertainment events. ( musicals/movies) I can see Jackie having a long career in entertainment, but I can also see her turn 19 and decide to drop it all and become Veterinarian or wild life biologist.
I am dying to see Jackie in the Robert Redford movie. It's slow coming to my city so I've ordered one. I enjoy her singing and hope she comes out with another CD soon, but not at the expence of her voice or just throwing something together. I recognize that she and her family really look at the songs that are put together for a CD and am sure that when another comes out, it will be great. A couple of "best friends" are fine. My daughter had one best friend, and continued to have slumber parties where they experimented with face cleansers, modest make-up, favorite movies, favorite foods, boy talk, all the things most young girls talk about. Believe me, 8 13 yr old girls in one room, sleeping bags, food etc. are more that enough. I've seen Jackie at 3 concerts and hope to some day be able to sit up front. Until then I enjoy reading articles about her and what is going on in her life and all the fun things she is doing, and replaying her CD's. I will leave the well-being of her voice to her and her parents.
I noticed that she has stated that there will be absolutely no auto tune in her new CD Awakening. I only hope Sony respects her wish.
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