Who is Alexz Johnson and why was she trending on Twitter?
Alexz Johnson took Twitter's top searches by storm Tuesday after she shared a video of her playing her new single "Thief" featuring Jimmy Robbins.
The pair played guitar together as Johnson sang in the black-and-white video uploaded to YouTube, giving 13-year-old Rebecca Black, that recent polarizing YouTube sensation, a run for her money.
Updated, 8:35 p.m.: Johnson's song "Time to Be Your 21" was featured on Monday's episode of ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars," which also prompted the tweets. Thanks to Alexz's fans for the heads up via comments and tweets.
"Its insane... My music finally has a chance to be heard!!," she said when contacted by the Ministry.
Besides topping the Twitter searches, fans petitioned for the singer to get a verified account on the microblogging site.
"Alexz Johnson still trending!! Crazy!!!!!!," Johnson tweeted earlier with a photo of the popular topics.
The 24-year-old singer-actress garnered love from celebrity fans including Nelly Furtado and Demi Lovato, who tweeted props to the singer.
"Alexz Johnson is trending.. Pretty cool. She's the reason I picked up the guitar and started writing songs," the "Sonny with a Chance" star wrote.
"So excited! Just found out BRAND NEW #Alexz Johnson single, "LOOK AT THOSE EYES" comes out early-this tuesday on i-tunes! Don't sleep!" Furtado tweeted.
Johnson, who has appeared in "Final Destination 3" and "Smallville," is best known for her short stint on "Instant Star," a Canadian television show where she played an "American Idol"-like contest winner only to learn that fame came at an unsavory price.
Her newest album "Reloaded" will be available April 26.
Do you think Johnson's "Thief" is stealing Black's spotlight? Let us know in comments.
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-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com/NardineSaad
It's about time that Alexz Johnson was recognized as an awesome musician. People need to spread the word!
And as for Rebecca Black, the poor girl was scammed. Why would you pay $2000 to a no-name record label that gives you only of the choice of poorly written songs and having your voice covered by auto-tune?
Posted by: Rickeya Ware | Mar 22, 2011 at 07:14 PM
Actually she was trending because her song, "Time to Be Your 21," was featured on the season finale of Pretty Little Liars.
Posted by: Veronica K | Mar 22, 2011 at 07:42 PM
"Do you think Johnson's "Thief" is stealing Black's spotlight?"
We could only hope. Nothing against the girl, its the song and the auto tune that are really terrible.
Posted by: Jeannine | Mar 22, 2011 at 07:42 PM
I am so glad that all of her efforts are amounting to something. I love that you are writing about a women who deserves recognition. Just to let you know, the reason Alexz is and was trending is because a song entitled "Time To Be Your 21" from Instant Star, which she starred in for four years was featured on "Pretty Little Liars."
Posted by: Jess | Mar 22, 2011 at 07:44 PM
I am so glad that all of her efferts have amounted to this. Alexz is such a sweet soul and a true talent. She deserves so much recognition and is amazing. Thank you for Writing about this Lady who definitly deserves to be recognized by Millions!!
Posted by: Andrea | Mar 22, 2011 at 08:00 PM
Alexz is my absolute favorite singer. She has actual talent unlike Rebecca. She is tredning because everyone loves Alexz. Rebecca is trending because everyone hates her music. Big difference. I hope Alexz's music gets out there and everyone gets the chance to listen to real, pure, good music by an artist who won't sell out.
Alexz is awesome. I am so excited for her!
Posted by: Madison | Mar 22, 2011 at 08:38 PM
Kudos to the LA Times Blog for recognizing her and plugging her. Alexz Johnson is a true talent!
Posted by: John | Mar 22, 2011 at 08:53 PM
Alexz Johnson is amazing! You guys should feature her more, it'd help her get out there!
Posted by: Mohammad | Mar 22, 2011 at 09:10 PM
Alexz Johnson you should record a film of Instant Star <3
Posted by: abel | Mar 22, 2011 at 09:12 PM
(Yay!)
Alexz has always been an inspiration to me with her angelic voice and poised perfection. I'm never dissapointed with any of the music she has done! It's about time that she is recognized!! :)
Posted by: Theresa | Mar 22, 2011 at 09:12 PM
hey. what happened?
Alexz Johnson is girl talent... i followed when she acted in So Weird and also she was part of Instant Star,,,
she makes great music .... she's not like RebeccaBlack a first newbie artist.
she is a writer, producer, singer, actress... she has a real talent .. so show her a little respect, im really happy shes TT on twitter, now more people will know a real singer wih real talent and not like fake girls as Gaga .. she doesnt need masks or steak fashion customes... shes talented...
so RESPECT HER...
Posted by: marcko | Mar 22, 2011 at 09:19 PM
she's really famous! her show was really popular here in brazil, i even have her first album...
Posted by: gilberto | Mar 22, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Alexz johnson is slowly finally becoming know. She is the best real voice around like kelly Clarkson. Its sad because of poor promo she is not able to tour. Help spread the word of Alexz and let you're ears love this new sound!
Posted by: ashley | Mar 22, 2011 at 09:50 PM
Rebecca Black who is she next to Alexz Johnson??? NOBODY!!! I've been a fan of AJ since I was 13 which is 7 years ago. I love her so much and her music ROCKS... She is one of the first few singers I am obsessed with that I have every song on my mp3 player and she inspired another one of my fav singer Demi Lovato which is great because thanks to her, Great Talented singer,song-writer, actress come out from hiding... She inspires me to play the guitar as well..
Posted by: Claire | Mar 23, 2011 at 12:25 AM
As i was saying to the people that were wondering...Only the best singer in the world!;)
Posted by: Olja Kaludjerovic | Mar 23, 2011 at 01:38 AM
"Do you think Johnson's "Thief" is stealing Black's spotlight? Let us know in comments."
My good lord, hopefully
Posted by: Heidi | Mar 23, 2011 at 06:40 AM
I am so happy her music is being recognized finally! I have been a huge fan since the early days of "Instant Star" that's 5+ years people! I'm just glad she is getting the recognition she deserves. She is a brilliant, talented artist. It's very rare to find that in today's industry I think. Everything is either auto-tuned or has a lyric count of...5? I like to hear music not some chorus repeating itself 20 times and then ending with a techno beat.
If you have never heard of her (before the twitter trending) definitely go check her out! Just youtube her name and a flood of beautiful music will be a click away! ;)
Posted by: Shara | Mar 23, 2011 at 07:05 AM
A "short stint" on Instant Star? It ran for 4 seasons; I'd consider that pretty impressive.
I'm so incredibly happy for Alexz and all the recognition she's received over the past couple of days. It's about time more people knew she was a true talent. I hope there's only more good to come for her!
Posted by: Allison P | Mar 23, 2011 at 09:56 AM
yeah of course she is beating her alexz is a wonderful singer actressshe is flawless !!! she deserves to be a trending topic
Posted by: irene | Mar 23, 2011 at 02:10 PM
It's About Time Alexz Johnson, gets recognized for her talent. I have known for years she will make it big.
Who cares if it is because of Pretty Little Liars or Because of Thief. It's just about Time Everyone know What an Amazing Artist she is.
Alexz Johnson, has true Talent, that is why she "May be stealing Black's Spotlight." She doesn't have to steal anyone's spot light, she deserves her own. :)
Way to Go Alexz! You deserve it!
Posted by: K.M.B | Mar 23, 2011 at 05:47 PM
By the way her 'stint' on her show Instant Star was not short. It ran for 4 seasons, just because it wasn't the biggest thing in your country doesn't mean that it wasn't popular at all.
Posted by: funnygirl22 | Mar 23, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Pretty much what funnygirl22 said...I find it rather funny that Alexz's role on Instant Star is referred to as a "short stint," when she played Jude Harrison, the lead character, for all 4 seasons of the show. Still, very informative article. I'm glad Alexz is finally getting the recognition she deserves.
Posted by: Leanne | Mar 24, 2011 at 12:17 AM
Alexz Johnson needs to be recognized this year, if not, next year. I think, just like Taylor Momsen, should go into the Alternative Music buisness. Alexz should form her own alternative band.
Posted by: Chris | Mar 26, 2011 at 04:04 AM
that is obvious, alexz johnson is the best singer in the world and his music is amazing !!
Posted by: Jude Ojeda | Mar 26, 2011 at 01:45 PM
i love her voice so much! she's amazing and i wish more people knew about her!
Posted by: jeannette | May 09, 2011 at 08:01 PM