Maddie Poppe - Season 16 Winner of ABC’s American Idol
What first got you into music?
Growing up I was always around music. My dad played in various bands and got me started singing when I was fairly young. As I got older, I started to take it more seriously and eventually learned guitar and started playing live shows.
Who inspired you to make music?
My dad has definitely been my biggest inspiration musically. He’s always been my rock for anything music-wise.
How would your friends describe you?
Laid back, outspoken and always joking around
What are your hobbies?
I love DIY projects and watching movies
Describe your sound?
My sound is about everything under the sun, but I tend to lean towards an indie-pop sound.
What motivates you to work hard?
My biggest motivator is when someone tells me “no” or when I feel like they don’t believe in me, it makes me want to prove them wrong.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
I would love to be a music teacher for one day. That’s always been a job I’ve thought I’d love.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
It depends, sometimes I write really happy music, other times I tend to lean towards somber-sounding music. But I love all acoustic music.
What is your creative process like?
I usually have to feel inspired, it’s not easy for me to just sit down and say “I’m going to write a song today!” I almost have to have a reason to write. I feel most motivated when my emotions are high.
What's your favorite food?
Pasta of all kinds!
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with Nate Ruess
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
There are too many to name!
What is one message you would give to your fans?
That I am endlessly appreciative of all their support! It does not go unnoticed.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Actually I don’t, surprisingly. That’s usually my time to do some deep-thinking.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I would probably be a graphic designer. That’s what I went to school for.
What are your favourite venues you performed at?
I did a show way up in the mountains in Vail, Colorado, that was one of the most beautiful places I’ve been, even though the altitude made it a little hard to breathe!
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
The internet has catapulted the music industry light years ahead of where it would be otherwise. Between the accessibility it provides for discovering new music and artists, to the ease of being able to keep up and get an in-depth and almost constant update on all your current favorite artists, the internet has provided a wonderful platform for modern musicians. On the other hand, sometimes I feel it takes away from the actual art of music itself. There are so many distractions with the internet, that sometimes I feel our audiences are caught up in more than just exclusively the skill, talent or art of music itself.
Which famous musicians do you admire most?
There is such a long list, but a few of my favorites include Rachael Yamagata, Jewel, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Paramore, Feist, KT Tunstall, Lily Allen, Sia, Imagine Dragons, the list goes on and on..!
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
To just be myself!
What’s next for you?
I’m hoping to put out new music this year!
What do you enjoy most about being a musician?
The way you are able to make other people feel. The inspiration and joy you are able to put into someone else’s life.
what was your most memorable moment on tour?
There are too many to name. Honestly, my favorite memory in general is just being in the company of amazing humans constantly.
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
I’ve met her before, but I’d love to sit down and have another conversation with Jewel. She is such an interesting person and has some seriously amazing stories to tell.
Kayla Alexander - Proffessional WNBA Basketball Player
What motivates me to work hard?
I am lucky to say that I truly love and enjoy what I get to do everyday. I say get to do because it’s a blessing. My current profession is as a professional basketball player. I get to wake up and play the sport that I fell in love with at the age of 12. This game has provided me with income, lasting friendships, its allowed me to see the world, keep a healthy lifestyle, give back in ways I never imagined and have a positive impact on both my family and my community. All of these reasons are just a tiny snippet of what keeps me motivated to work hard everyday.
What is your favorite thing about your career?
There are a few favorite parts. Besides the obvious getting paid to do what I love, I would say:
1. The travel, I’ve been to every continent minus Antarctica thanks to basketball, I’ve lived in numerous countries, experienced so many different languages, cultures, foods, ways of living. I’ve been able to experience the natural beauty of Gods beautiful earth, all thanks to a bouncy orange ball.
2. I would also say the impact I’ve been able to have. I am thankful for all the lessons learned and skills acquired that I can now pass down to the next generation.
3. Lastly, the relationships I’ve made through this sport have been incredible. I am thankful for all the people basketball has brought into my life.
Tell me about your work?
So my main line of work is as a professional basketball player. I’ve been fortunate to say I’ve been playing professionally 8 years and counting. I’ve played 7 full seasons in the WNBA, as well as overseas in Russia, France, South Korea, Australia, Poland and currently in Belgium. I am also fortunate to say that I am a part of the Canadian Senior Womens National Team. When I am not playing basketball I mentor young girls through a program called NBYMP (National Basketball Youth Mentorship Program) which is a free organization for the youth in Canada. NBYMP provides basketball camps, tutors, one on one mentoring, workshops on finance, nutrition, scholarship opportunities and so much more. I also do many speaking engagements at schools, universities, camps, put on workshops and more.
Lastly, I am a published author and illustrator. My Children’s book The Magic of Basketball I co-authored with my sister Kesia and I drew all the illustrations. The second book co-authored alongside 10 other incredible Canadian women in the sport of basketball is titled Women for the Win. Both books are available on Amazon or through my website kaylaalexander.net
How would your friends describe you?
Tall, driven, kind, generous, smart, athletic, reserved, positive, thoughtful, inspiring ... these are just a few words that come up often.
What are your hobbies?
Is it bad to say naps? When you have two practices a day, naps are clutch! I also enjoy illustrating, reading, journaling, watching videos on Netflix/Youtube, going for walks, cooking and baking and to name a few.
What are your goals as a model?
I just want to inspire, educate and motivate the next generation. We are living in such an incredible time right now where the possibilities are endless. I want to equip our youth with all the tools they need so that they are confident in themselves. God gave us all unique gifts, abilities, personalities, etc and I want to help our youth realize all the possibilities and greatness that already exists inside them. I had incredible parents, coaches, teachers and mentors who inspired, motivated and educated me, so its only right that I do the same.
What is my favorite sport to watch and play?
To play: basketball, beach volleyball To watch: basketball, beach and regular volleyball, track and field, swimming, tennis, soccer, softball, almost all of them.
If I could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
If I just wanted to relax, I would want to go to a tropical island somewhere, jump on a boat and just read while rocking to the waves of the ocean.If it has been a while since I’ve been home, I would just want to relax and hang out with my family at my parents house. I’d cook with my mom, and then play card games with my family.If I wanted to learn, I would probably want to shadow Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Beyonce,Vashti Harrison, Serena Williams or Issa Rae. They are all very different, in various fields but they are incredibly talented, intelligent and business savvy women who I would love to learn from. I’d like to see how they operate, how they work, their creative process, thought process
and so on.
What is your favorite food?
Absolute favorite food would be anything my mom makes, especially when she cooks Jamaican foods like curry chicken and oxtail. However, I have a deep appreciation for all foods!
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee? Top ten in no particular order:
Michelle Obama
Beyonce
Rihanna
Vashti Harrison
Serena Williams
Issa Rae
Barack Obama
Lisa Leslie
Ciara
Russel Wilson
Some accomplishments so far as a basketball player?
Big East Conference All Freshmen Team - 2010
All Big East First Team x2 - 2011, 2013
All Big East Second Team - 2012
Big East All Tournament Team - 2013
NCAA AP All American Honorable Mention - 2013
Syracuse University All Time Leading Scorer - 2013
Russian PBL Second Team - 2014
Russian PBL All Imports team - 2014
Inducted into the Town of Milton Walk of fame - 2019
Fiba Americup All Star Five - Puerto Rico 2019
Claudia Gonzalez - EMMY NOMINATED Model, TV Host, Producer
Tell me about your work? In regards to my profession ,
I feel so fortunate that, since I was a teenager that I started my career through Modeling, work it’s been one of my passions. You see, I’m from a little Spanish island in the middle of the Atlantic by the coast of Africa and I was able to pursue dreams and ambitions, to travel the world, discover far away Lands and live among other cultures . So at the end that will resume what as a Little girl I was mesmerized by while reading books and watching movies.My field of work has shape in a way, the adult that I’m and has given me opportunities to discover the world and meet people unimaginable and incredible, making me truly feel like a citizen of the world, and that is beautiful, specially in these moments that we need to be more united and emphatic with each other than ever…and create a joint conscience about the sustainability of the Planet. Through Television on the other hand , after I transitioned from modeling into hosting, I found my voice. I truly found the perfect fit! I always say That as much as I love fashion and being a Model it always felt limited being a model from the creative point of view, Is a Mute media for a model, where everybody else is creating you but You. For me TV was like transitioning from Silent films to Sound Films… especially when you are a chatty, cheerful , full of thoughts young woman ready to share and collaborate!
What motivates you to work hard?
To be able to help , educate and create awareness, somehow ,even if is just one person that saw you or worked with you and you touched them in any way to make their life a little bit better…no matter whether is a TV show , a personal enterprise like opening a Plant-Based Café in LA or building an Eco-retreat in the Island... that is the beauty.
What are some of your accomplishments so far? Ufff another though one! For sure finding Love and a partner in crime is at the top of the Life achievements ! As well as finding a calling on how you want to live your life, to get that clarity and let go of what the Ego wants mostly could be very difficult in our industry surroundings, especially in Hollywood . Building a home from scratch in LA and opening and creating the Plant-based Café concept in LA with hubby, and now a Health & wellness retreat in the island. Being able to work in multiple languages on international TV channels and platforms around the world, Being Nominated to the Emmy on my first show in the US ’ 22 minutes’… Having lived in a bunch of incredible Cities of the world like Tokyo, NY, London, Madrid , Milan , LA , Miami , Barcelona… Travelled to all continents . Having worked and met in the 90’s an incredible bunch of Top Designers , Magazines, photographers, Fashion was truly something in the 90’s I feel grateful to have experienced that decade! Interviewed one on one fascinating Talents… over the past 18 years from the Music, Film ,Sports and Art world. And I guess an unexpected achievement that people won’t mostly know is that I have a Science of Plant-based Nutrition Diploma from Cornell University.
What is your favorite thing about your career?
The Access that has given me deep knowledge and information from people and places in All walks of life and the possibility of reaching People around the world, sometimes very inaccessible important persons .Travel to dreamy destinations and not so dreamy where you are face with the realities of the world and planet … A sense that everything is possible… I always say when they tell you that something is Impossible means that they either don’t know how to do it or don’t want to… but there is definitely a way out there waiting for you to discover it. The fact that you can grow old being a TV host , journalist, reporter ...
How would your friends describe you? For this one ,
I literally messaged some good old friends around the world to answer! ( You can only hope your friends cherish you but I'll never take anything for granted..! and their quick answers brought tears of Joy) These are a few words from them that kept coinciding, no bragging! you can pick the ones you like the most LOL : A ray of Light, Sunshine that brightens every room even on a rainy day, Beautiful and beautiful Soul inside & Out, Radiant ,Pure, Positive,Kind, Free Spirit,Passionate,Confident,Creative,Hardworking and Talented, beyond humble, Loving, Fun ,Thoughtful, A very good caring wonderful friend , trend-setter, very intelligent . Charismatic & very conscious about the human & planet wellbeing, trustful and an incredible human being.
What are your hobbies?
This is always been quite hard to answer… since I’m like a butterfly, in the sense that I love too many things and I’m always ready to jump into something new … Also through the years I’ve made, I guess what other people will call ‘Hobbies’ part of my everyday Lifestyle …long walks in Nature keep me grounded and creative, swimming in the Ocean is definitely one of my favorite things to Do,it makes me so happy! I’m such an Island girl to the Core…Music, music, music, I can’t conceive Life without a soundtrack , I love to continuously discover music from around the world. Travel is another passion, I always saw myself as a Nomad… Design of any kind: Fashion , Architecture ,Interior design,Graphic design…Art & Design just makes the world so much more beautiful...
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Any thing with the word Play in front is welcome! Could Dancing be a game?! hahahahaha Anything active and if is outdoors even better, I’ve never been one to sit and watch…LOL
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? I will probably need at least 2! LOL.Fly? I guess if it was possible go to Outer Space , see Earth, the planets , the Universe ...and come back!
What's your favorite food? Plant-based All the way! no matter what type of cuisine , Ethiopian, Japanese, Italian, Spanish…you name it, and Dark Chocolate?
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
I don’t drink Coffee per say, but Bob Marley would have been pretty incredible or Does the Dalai Lama drink Coffee, we will probably drink Tea or Hot Chocolate!
Jacki Gemelos - WNBA Womens Basketball Player
What motivates you to work hard?
To be able to provide a good life for the people I love most.
Who is your hero?
My hero is my parents.
What is your favorite thing about your career?
The tracking aspect and meeting needs people from different countries.
Tell me about your work?
Best job in the world. It’s not really a job when you love it.
How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as nice, fun, and easygoing.
What are your hobbies?
My clothing line and tattoos.
What are your goals as a WNBA Basketball Player, ect?
My goals are to continue playing as long as my body allows me to.
What are some of your accomplishments so far?
My accomplishments are playing in the WNBA, being apart of the national team, and starting my Own clothing line.
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Favorite sports to watch and play is basketball. Preferably NBA.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
Go to the beach, eat good food, and drink good coffee with someone I love.
What type of music are you into?
All kinds, everything.
What's your favorite food?
Tacos
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Rihanna
Gorkem Cirakoglu - Model
What motivates me the most is the ongoing support
I receive on a daily basis from my friends and family. A huge factor is the feedback and love I receive from my clients, seeing their results and success makes me thrive to be better and work harder for them everyday.
My favourite thing about my career would have to be
travelling to different places and meeting various people. Learning about new cultures and different and lifestyles is awesome.
My music changes with my moods.
I listen to upbeat music when I’m doing cardio but also enjoy slower paced songs when weight training.
My friends describe me as the energetic one in the group. They also comment that I am trustworthy and reliable for whenever they need a chat.
My hobbies are
everything fitness, boxing, cars, extreme sports and cooking different recipes.
My favorite sport
It would have to be boxing, I also enjoy boxing as a sport.
If i could do anything in a day it would be to spend the day in LA with my family and friends and create beautiful memories. I love Italian and also Turkish foods. I’m always open to try different things around the world.
I would enjoy meeting and having a coffee with Gal Gadot.
Thirzdae Muzik - Artist
What motivates you to work hard?
My Family
What is your favorite thing about your career?
Able to learn everything about music through DJin
How would you describe your music?
It Heals, it’s about Positivity, My music is here to change the world
How would your friends describe you?
Always Happy And A Music Lover
What are your hobbies?
Listening to Music and Watching Movies
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I’m a Barca Fan, I Play FIFA and PES
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
Recording New Music
What's your favorite food?
Fried Rice And Fish
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Lil Uzi Vert