After steadfastly honing her songwriting and performances, 17-year old Jacquie Lee became the first runner-up on Season 5 of NBC’s top-rated show The Voice, blowing the roof off week after week with her incredible live performances. Now, with pen and paper in hand and signed to Atlantic Records/300 Entertainment, the next chapter of this rising star’s musical journey is quickly unfolding with the release of her debut EP, Broken Ones, which is available now on iTunes and at music retailers nationwide.
Broken Ones features five tracks, including title track “Broken Ones,” “Tears Fall,” “Drown Me In Your Love,” “Right Love,” and a darker, tender cover of the famous hit “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” Jacquie’s strong vocals fit the EP’s upbeat, soulful pop sound like a glove. After listening to Broken Ones, we instantly remembered why Jacquie was our favorite contestant on The Voice season five.
CelebSecrets4U caught up with Jacquie to talk about the making of her first record, covering the classic hit “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” and having Christina Aguilera as her mentor on The Voice. Take a read at the Q&A below. To purchase Broken Ones, click here.
CS4U: Your debut EP “Broken Ones” is officially here! How does it feel to finally have original music out to share with the public?
Jacquie: “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared! My words, my music, are out in the world now. It feels like I’m one step closer to making a difference. One step closer to connecting with people who are listening and use music the way I do. For therapy.”
CS4U: What was the recording process like for you?
Jacquie: “It was a lot of thinking and concentrating. As a singer, recording is an easy process. As an artist, it’s more than just execution. It’s finding out the deeper meaning behind it all. It’s realizing what the song means for you. It’s using your voice as a tool to make people look at things through a new perspective.”
CS4U: I want to talk about your cover of “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” — what made you want to cover the track and put it on your EP?
Jacquie: “The song is well-known and a classic. Everyone saw it one way so I figured why not make them think about it in a different light? I put “me” into it. This is how I read the lyrics.”
CS4U: What do you want listeners to take away from your EP?
Jacquie: “I want them to take away that music can mean something. I want them to take away emotion. I don’t want them to fear feelings.”
CS4U: You are well-known for being first runner-up on NBC’s hit show The Voice under the mentorship of Christina Aguilera— what was it like working with Christina? Do you have a most memorable moment that you shared with her while on the show?
Jacquie: “It’s feels odd to be known to the world as someone from a TV show! My first experience was a great one to say the least. Being mentored by legends like Christina is not too bad for a rookie! The most memorable moment with her was when we just talked about life. Not about the competition. We just talked. She’s a really wonderful person and friend.”
CS4U: What’s next for you in the future? Do you have any tour plans?
Jacquie: “Right now I’m really focused on the Broken Ones EP. I’m proud of it and am going to put a lot of energy into promoting it. As for the future I plan on releasing an album next year.”
CS4U: Since our website is called CelebSecrets4U, can you share one secret or hidden talent about yourself that our fans would not know about you?
Jacquie: “Fun fact – I can binge watch a whole Netflix series in a week!”
