“My Kind Of Country” has announced their winner and it is South African singer Micaela Kleinsmith .
She was scouted and chosen by Orville Peck and was able to win a full backing from Apple Music as well as a $100,000 prize. I had a chance to catch up with Michaela and Orville and the conversation was lovely. We spoke about her new E.P and what the next few years will look like.
Question for Orville:
Did you have a feeling that Michaela was going to win the competition?
Answer: I did have a feeling. From the moment I met Michaela I was a little bias because she is from my home country, and I fell in love with her personality and her sprite. That was sort of the cherry on top because the most incredible thing is that every week Michaela blew us away. I think that she came into competition or the show lacking some confidence and a little bit of imposter syndrome but every single week she blew us away and it was such an easy undeniable yes every time and it was such a beautiful thing to watch somebody flourish so hard even though they weren’t aware of it.
Question Micaela:
Would you say you agree with Orville about having imposter syndrome when you first started the competition?
Michaela Answer:
I wouldn’t say a little, I would definitely say a lot. I definitely battled with imposter syndrome for sure, but I think my confidence grew the more comfortable I became. Throughout the show that was definitely evident because I became more and more comfortable but that can also just be a tribute to everyone else that was just around they just made the experience just so amazing. I started a small downfall of where I need to be and who I need to be in this space, but I learned very quickly I would say.
Question Micaela:
How are you feeling right now at this moment with everything going on?
Michaela Answer:
Excited, very excited! I just have a lot of emotions because this has been a long time in the making and now it’s finally here. I am also nervous also for my music to come out, and to have people listen to it but I am also very excited about it because I am really happy with what we did. I am feeling all of the emotions?
Question Micaela:
What was the first thing you did after winning the competition?
Micaela Answer:
I went partying! I went to celebrate with the gays it was wonderful. I went back to the hotel and painted the town red.
Question Micaela:
How was your family back home? Also, who did you call first to tell them that you won? What did they even say?
Micaela Answer:
I definitely called my parents first. They were so excited, and I think they were waiting by the phone because I was taking really long to call them. So when I finally called, my dad literally screamed and he’s like reserved, he’s not the type but he screamed from the other room. He was so excited. We were all screaming on the phone. It was a very exciting time. I felt really proud of myself and I think they did too.
Question Micaela: What do you think your first song will be? What does your introduction to the world look like?
Micaela Answer: Love. It’s going to be about love. That is all I can say. I love love. I think people will soon realize. So yea. It’s better than what I used to write about, so it’s okay.
Question Micaela:Do you have any artists that you are excited to work with?
Micaela Answer: There are so many artists. I think a bucket list for me is definitely Tori Kelly, maybe Shania Twain, the list is very long but even Pink, I love her voice so much. Maybe Rascal Flatts even, that would be cool.
Question Micaela: What would you like to come next. In the next few months what would you like to happen?
Micaela Answer: I really would like to be doing music full time, I have the EP coming out, I would like to write more and do things that make me happy you know.
Question Micaela: What do you feel and would like to see for Michaela’s career.
Micaela Answer: I am just so excited to see all the amazing things she is going to do. We really wanted this show to be a beginning for all of these artists. To be the start of something for them. It is a huge and very well earned start for Michaela and I am just so excited that this is just the beginning and I can’t wait to see not just the next few months but what she does in the next 5 to 10 years of her career. We got to see a beautiful part of this person’s start as an artist or kinda blossom as an artist and I can’t wait to see this amazing career she is going to have. I’m so excited.
Closing statement: Thank you so much and I can’t wait to hear the E.P that is coming to you soon.
Micaela Answer: Thank you.
Orville: Thank you so much.
I am very excited for Micaela Kleinsmith and I can not wait to see how her career unfolds. I hope you are staying tuned as well because after all it’s not just “My Kind of Country” it’s yours too!
