You may remember witnessing the birth of Tiffany Evans' career from back in 2003 when she became an overnight success by competing on the TV variety series, Star Search. She captured the hearts of many viewers and music lovers who watched the show. Plus, she even wowed a few record label executives with her pure and innocent 10-year-old personality coupled with her big, bold and bossy vocals.
Now, almost 15 years later, Evans is all grown up and unapologetically singing her truth on her 2015 EP, All Me.
In an exclusive Q&A interview with Wanda Coppage of Music Times, Evans explained how she wants her loyal and new fans to know they can always count on her to deliver those powerful, bold vocal arrangements. But this time around, she's doing it as a woman who swapped that 2007 "Promise Ring" for an actual wedding ring. She's a mother of two beautiful daughters and a fully blossomed multi-talented artist /entrepreneur who demands respect "On Sight."
As a family woman and artist who has been shaped by the highs, lows and everything else in between in the music business, the recently turned 24-year-old excitedly explained the inspiration behind the re-released EP, working with Fetty Wap on the lead single, future collaborations, and so much more.
Music Times: When you hear the title of the EP, All Me, it just sounds so profound -- like there's a story behind choosing that title. So what's the story? What was your inspiration behind the title?
Tiffany Evans: I recorded the EP when I was pregnant with my second daughter, Chaden. When I'm pregnant, because I've been pregnant before -- I have two daughters now -- but when I'm pregnant, I get really inspired and I want to talk about everything. I have so many emotions and so many things that I'm going through that I just want to sing about. Recording All Me was a way for me to express all of that. Chaden is my second child, I'm married and really growing into who I am as a woman. So with this album, I got to do things my way, really come into my own and not take anyone's idea of me, but allow myself to be who I am without someone else telling me who I am.
Music Times: As it relates to people telling you who you are, do you find it difficult to break the mold or the idea of you as that little girl? For example, those who are still remembering that 10-year-old from TV, or the young girl who sang in Tyler Perry's: Diary Of A Mad Black Woman?
Tiffany Evans: Absolutely. Especially when you're going through life and you're having different changes within yourself without taking the time to step away from everything to figure out who you are on your own, without people watching. That's one of the reasons why I took time out of the game, outside of the business, so that I could grow and not force it down people's throats. I definitely want people to see who I am now and that I'm not naive but there are definitely some personal changes. But I never stopped being an artist. I never stopped writing and I never stopped recording.
Music Times: The changes and growth in who you are today are pretty apparent. But what about the changes in the industry? After taking a break from music for a while and then coming back, what have you noticed about the music industry? What's different?
Tiffany Evans: Oh definitely social media. Social media is so big now. It has its advantages and disadvantages. I'm used to back in the day where you had to get out there and do the ground work to get your music heard and played on the radio. No one really knew who you were unless you had a number one record. Now, it's like you record a video or a song and it can blow up overnight and that's how mostly everyone gets their information. But, it can also work as a disadvantage for the artist because that's how people connect with you and want to connect with you, so if you don't put enough of yourself out there, you can lose that connection. I believe there are some things that artists should be able to keep to themselves and have a life outside of music because music is the job. So not giving enough on social media or giving too much is a disadvantage.
Music Times: Your grind is impeccable. You write your own music, you have your own music label, Live Love Entertainment, you produce and direct alongside your husband, you dance and act. How do you balance life as a wife, a mother and as an all around entrepreneur/recording artist?
Tiffany Evans: My husband (Lorenzo Henderson) is my creative director so everything that we have to do he has to be there hands on. He makes sure everything runs smoothly down to the shows and whatever Tiffany Evans has to do. He's just a great partner overall and we team up together to make sure that the kids have everything that they need. When it comes to running them to the babysitter, or the babysitter coming to us, getting to rehearsals, he's very hands on with that and makes sure it happens. And then also, we make sure we set aside time for us. It's not easy to do that when you have a lot going on but, we really learned how important that is. We put the phones and computers down and don't answer any emails or phone calls so that we can have that alone time and not get lost in all of the things we have going on.
Music Times: Ok, so let's talk about everything you have going on right now. Aside from the many hats you wear that I just mentioned, the EP is doing very well. You have 7 tracks, with the lead single "On Sight" featuring Fetty Wap really buzzing right now. The video is being played on BETJams and MTV. So give us some inside info...what is the next single being released and when?
Tiffany Evans: I'm thinking "T.M.I.". Everyone who has heard the EP seems to be really feeling that song so it will be that one. I've also been connecting with my agent and she's been sending me a ton of scripts so it's kind of like everything is revving up at the same time. The music is getting back together and now the acting is coming together. So you will see me back in films and TV soon too, plus hearing the new single.
Music Times: We know you did the collaboration with Fetty Wap for the lead single. How did that connection happen and do you have anyone else in mind that you would want to work with on any future projects?
Tiffany Evans: I recorded "On Sight" last year and I knew that I wanted a rapper to be on it, I just didn't know who. A friend of mine suggested Fetty and at that time he had a number one record on the radio. I told my friend we do not have any "coins" to get him on the record but she said she knew some people who could make it happen and they did. I sent him the track, he liked it, wrote a verse and killed it.
For this EP, I worked with some talented underground producers who were just as hungry. But I would love to work with Drake and his producer, Noah "40" Shebib, and of course, Chris Brown. But my main dream collaboration is Usher. He has always been an inspiration to me so if someone can make that happen, let me know.
Music Times: For all of your long-term followers and your new followers, what do you want them all to know about Tiffany Evans 2016?
Tiffany Evans: I want them to know that I'm a woman now. I am a full-fledged woman. And everything that I talk about and write about is real. I write these songs because it's true and I have experienced these things. I'm coming from an authentic place, a raw place and that I'm ready to rock. I'm ready for everyone to feel my energy again. It's positive and it's a bunch of light. I've grown as a performer and just in general. I'm no longer timid and uncomfortable expressing my ideas and the things that I don't like. I'm expressing me now - All Me.
Evans is indeed a proven talented vocalist whose overall growth is undeniable. To watch a little bit of the performer in her, check out the "On Sight" video and the 2014 "Baby Don't Go" music video directed by Evans under her Live Love Entertainment label (formerly Little Lady Enterprises) starring Columbus Short.
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Buy All Me here.
