Allison Iraheta: The ultimate interview, Part One

"American Idol" finalist Allison Iraheta sat down with writer Fred Bronson for a no-holds barred interview. In Part One, Iraheta discusses her early musical influences.

Allison Iraheta, fourth-place finisher on Season 8 of “American Idol,” was born April 27, 1992, in Glendale. She grew up in Huntington Park and then moved with her parents, Carlos and Sara, to Downey.

Allison, when did you discover music?

I always liked music. When I was 3 or 4 years old, my mom was a cashier for a hospital cafeteria. She would take me to work with her and I’d wander off. I’d go up to random people and sing to them. I did “My Heart Will Go On” a lot. That was the song back in my day.

I was 5 years old when I first started watching TV. My parents would always watch music television and Spanish music television as well.

Did your parents have a record collection or listen to the radio?

My dad listened to a lot of classic rock, which is probably why I have a lot of classic rock in me now. My mom listened to Spanish music, so I started singing in Spanish. I didn’t know what I was saying because I didn’t know Spanish back then. As I got older, I began singing classic rock. The funny thing is I started with Celine Dion when my dad listened to classic rock, but I guess it was because of the movie “Titanic.”

Did you buy CDs?

I would tell my sister Sarah to buy them for me. I would always say, “Hey, go get me this song.”

What kind of music would you ask her to buy for you?

Mostly the hits back then. You know, K-Ci & JoJo. TLC. Whoever was hitting back when she was in high school. I guess I was always moving with the flow as to what was in. I grew up listening to all kinds of music, like classic rock, Spanish, R&B and the oldies as well.

Sarah bought music for you. What about your brother, Carlos, did he have any influence on your love of music?

He plays the guitar. He taught me how to play. I was the youngest, so whatever they did, I wanted to do. Whatever my sister was into, I wanted to listen to and when I noticed my brother started playing the guitar, I thought, “That looks like fun,” so I picked up a guitar.

When you first picked up a guitar, did you feel like you had a natural ability to play it?

I remember learning things very quickly. I never really took any lessons for it. I never enjoyed them because they didn’t give me the freedom to do what I wanted to do. So I started learning on my own. After my brother went to college, I decided to teach myself.

Did you learn to play any other instruments?

I tried the piano. For that, I’d need lessons, but I do have a good ear for piano and guitar.

Have you ever written a song?

Yes, I have a little notebook of a bunch of songs that I started writing. One of the first songs I wrote was for my dog when he died. It went, “My dog, I miss him so much.” It was just straight on, like a child talking about a dead dog. It was pretty deep for a 7-year-old. I haven’t [written anything] recently.

Do you remember the first time you performed in front of an audience?

I was 6 and there was a little community event for La Curacao [a department store catering to the Hispanic market]. They showed that on “Idol,” how I used to work there because it was one of the first venues I performed at and it’s funny that I ended up working there, singing every weekend. The first time I sang there were about 600 people. It was the first time I was on stage and it was one of those awesome experiences.

What else do you recall about that first performance?

I knew it was important, so I took my whole family. I sang one song and it was in Spanish, even though I didn’t know what it meant or what I was saying. My dad was nervous and I was so nervous too. I remember holding the microphone and barely moving my hand. I think it looked like I was into it, so that was pretty cool. I was scared but I felt pretty good being up there for the first time and the way people transmitted energy was great.

You mentioned your family being there. Your mother was with you during your time on “American Idol” because you’re under 18. But it sounds like your family has always been supportive of your music.

They started supporting me at that first performance. ... At that age, I was just a little mouse singing the songs, just squealing or something. But they’ve always been supportive. Before “Idol,” they’d always take time away from their schedule to go with me or take me and it didn’t matter. They’d help me in any possible way.

Did that first performance at La Curacao lead to singing live at other venues?

I guess they liked me so they had me sing at other places. Around that time, being 6 years old and singing Spanish music, there were a lot of other girls like me. There were people looking for talent like me to go and sing at these little community events, so I grew up with a group of other girls and we would travel around to different little community events like a little mini tour.

While you were doing this, did you ever think that you would have a career in music?

I didn’t really think about my future at that age. I was just going with the flow right then. I was like 6 or 7 when that was going on, and when I was about 9 I was watching “Idol,” and that opened my eyes. I said, “When I grow up, I want to do that.” So I know when I was 9 I was already thinking about “Idol.”

Beginning with Season 1?

That would be Season 1; 9 years old.

Did you keep watching the show?

I kept watching. I have literally watched every season. I can tell you about each of them because I remember everything perfectly.

It’s a show that families watch together. Did that happen in your house?

My parents, my sister and I would sit down and watch it. My brother was always the one like “Ehhh, that show.” But we’d watch it.

Do you think watching “American Idol” all those years helped prepare you for being a contestant on the show?

I thought it would, but I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. It’s a totally different world watching it and actually being on the show. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but behind the scenes it’s another story.

Did you study music in school or take any private lessons?

I took singing lessons at 8. I’ve had a number of voice coaches. I had to try out different voice coaches until I found the right one. All of them have helped me in many ways. They’re the pieces to my puzzle and without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. The one I’m with right now is Joy Grayson and she helped me with “Idol.” I met her before I tried out for “Idol” and she helped me with a few songs that I did on the show.

Did your vocal coaches work with you exclusively on pop songs or did you venture into classical music?

There were a couple of coaches that [worked with me on] classical music. I remember one of them had me doing opera.

Did you enjoy that?

I always like experimenting. It was fun. I definitely do not see myself doing that.

Did you join your high school chorus?

I did join chorus. We played the Ford Theatre in Hollywood, the LACMA theater and the one at Cal State L.A.

Did you appear in any high school musicals?

No, I never got the parts. I guess I’m not that theatrical. I tried out for “The Lion King” once. You know, the one that was here in L.A., and I don’t remember how they said it but it was something like, “Your voice is a little too thick for this.” I asked, “What are you saying? What does that mean? Do I sound like a guy and I’m a little girl? What’s up?” It was pretty funny.

To me, you sound more like an adult than a child.

Yeah, that’s what my sister said, and I told her, “You’re just consoling me.”

Were you ever in a band or group?

There were a couple of bands. With three guys who were friends from school, we formed a little band just for fun and we did a community event. These community events are like charity work and they were pretty big. There were fairs and stuff. We were Allison and the Dudes, because we were just messing around. There was another band, Allison and the Gurus. We did Pink’s “Heartbreaker.” We made “Bleeding Love” into a rock song. It was pretty cool. We did a hospital event at Paramount Studios. We played at school too, just for fun. During lunch, we’d whip out the guitar and just start playing.

Brooke White told me she saw you perform at that event at Paramount.

It was her and Michael Johns. I was a big fan of both of them. I said, “I’m going to be auditioning next year.” They said, “You should go for it,” because they heard me sing. I was with my band. It was awesome coming from them.

-- Fred Bronson

Photo: Ray Mickshaw / Fox

Related:

Kris Allen: The early years

Kris Allen: Showbiz beginnings

Kris Allen: Finding his groove

Kris Allen: The "Idol" chapter

Adam Lambert: The early years

Adam Lambert: Showbiz beginnings

Adam Lambert: Finding his groove

Adam Lambert: The "Idol" chapter

Comments

[Kristina]

Wow..that was ana amazing part 1..so informative and interesting

[BlackSunshine]

Probably the best interview questions i heard yet! Allison is the only reason i watched idol. Didn't care for it in seasons past, when i heard her, my life has been re-newed. What good idol be without Allison! What good would life be, without Allison in our lives... :( <3 <3 <3

[BlackSunshine]

Awesome questions. You should get a promotion for this, thank you. TYVM ;)

[Andra]

OMG thank you so much...We've been waiting for this over at IDF forever...What a great interview...I always wanted to know about her journey from pop chick to rock chick...KUDOS!

[Ithiel]

This interview is awesome, thank you for putting it up. Please post more!

[Becky]

Thank you so much for this interview. It's great to hear from Allison. She's so down-to-earth, too. And it's really great to hear about her early experience with music. Sounds like music and singing was always a part of her life... like she was born to be a singer, which you can really tell when she opens her mouth to sing. I can't wait for part 2!

[Gretta]

Wow, I didn't even know Allison was getting one of these. Thanks so much for the interview. Hope to read the rest soon.

[Jae]

So far a great Allison interview. So cool getting to know more about her. :)

[Mari]

What a great interview. Thanks so much for this. I'm hoping for more awesomeness from Allison. She rocks!

[Beca]

OMG thats amazing! Allison is the best singer ever. her voice is beautiful and so is she!

[Nikki]

Finally!

That's the way to go, girl! Always dream big! Incredible unique and powerful voice, amazing stage presence, her own swagger with spazztic moves that we all love ... and hair to kill for;) Jive don't mess this up!
Allison - never change! In the world full of fake plastic barbie dolls be the real you! Sign the rocker - make a rock album - conquer the world - save the music industry!
My parents had Joplin, hopefully I'll have Iraheta (but please please without drug drama)

[marife cargando]

allison iraheta maybe young but her voice leap a million years ahead of her. she have an amazing and powerful natural talent! she's my favorite american idol. eversince i heard her sing "alone" by heart, i instantly became a FAN! allison is going to be a big star! go allison!!!

[Jane]

This is great. Allison is so talented, so it was really nice to read about her background. When will part 2 be coming?

[Andrea]

"We were Allison and the Dudes, because we were just messing around. There was another band, Allison and the Gurus. We did Pink’s “Heartbreaker.” We made “Bleeding Love” into a rock song. It was pretty cool. We did a hospital event at Paramount Studios. We played at school too, just for fun. During lunch, we’d whip out the guitar and just start playing."
I really want a reunion of Allison and her band. She so needs to be in a band. I will like to hear her rock version of Bleeding Love. Very interesting.

[Simona]

Oh,my God,I am amazed of this girl,she is so awesome!I adore her and her voice,she is such a fantastic singer!Her voice is so brilliant,so amazing,so powerful!Allison is a real rock star,look at her,look at her style,hear her voice!She definitely should have won "American Idol",I was crying so much when she was voted off...But she is really talanted,so I am absolutely sure she will be very,very successful singer!I cannot wait for her first CD!Good luck to you,Allison!I love you! :*:*:*

[Christina]

she's so cool, she sings Spanish but she doesn't know spanish? that girl has a good memory! love u Allison!

[alan]

Thanks very much for the background on Allison, great to hear how she developed as a artist. She is my favourite from the show-- such a natural rock talent, with I'm sure a great future.

[Patty]

Thanks for the great interviews. I love to hear the personal stories instead of the canned promo stuff. I am amazed at this girl. For someone so young, she is so mature in her gifts. It's been great watching her grow and mature and move into her own over the last year. I hope she keeps letting us in as she moves on from Idol.

[irina]

i loved this interview. it is what interviews should be. it's about the person and their music and i loved finding out all this stuff about allison. she is amazing and i wish her all the success in the world !