Sammi Sanchez, a California native, is an up-and-coming Latina singer who embraces both her Hispanic and American culture, reminiscent of a mix of Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez. Most recently, she released her brand new single “Talk,” which is already spinning on Radio Disney and available on iTunes. Thanks to her loyal fans, Sammi is able to share her music with the world.
Sammi began expressing her passion for singing, dancing and acting at the early age of seven. Shortly after turning eleven years old, her family relocated to New York City where she decided to pursue music, dancing and acting more seriously. Soon after, she began taking professional vocal, dance and acting lessons. At the age of twelve, Sammi attended French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts Camp in Upstate New York. That same year, after going through some rigorous auditions, Sammi was accepted at the Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) in Manhattan. She attended PPAS for the next four years until opting for home schooling in order to take her career to the next level.
In 2011, Sammi began recording covers and uploading them to her YouTube channel. Since then her fan base, who call themselves “Sammurais,” continues to grow rapidly. The name “Sammurai” plays on the name “Sammi” while symbolizing a warrior who fights to achieve a goal or dream. Sammi has been fearless in her pursuit of achieving her goal to become a professional singer and performer. She has worked tirelessly on her craft in order to become the best that she can be.
Now seventeen years old, Sammi’s current music can be found on iTunes, including her hit single “Butterflies” which has found much success on Radio Disney, and “A Boy Like That” as well as her Christmas single, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” She is currently working on new music in both English and Spanish to be released in 2015.
Sammi uses her music to help people and is inspired by the idea that music can be a source of escape and healing. She hopes that listeners can relate to her music in some sense, or in the very least feel good and dance their way through her songs.
Hi Sammi, Tell us about you?
Hi 🙂 Well, My name is Sammi Sanchez. I am a 17 year old Latin American singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, Ca.
How did you get started?
I started singing publicly when I was in 4th grade when I entered my school talent show. Singing on stage for the first time, I was full of anxiety and fear but after I came off that stage it really hit me that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was filled with adrenaline and confidence just hearing the reaction from the crowd and how proud everyone was of me.
What did your family do to encourage you?
My family has always been a huge supporter in my music and I’m very fortunate that they believe in me. They are always helping me better my craft weather it be taking me to classes, rehearsals, or meetings they are always supporting me 100%. That motivates me and pushes me to be the best me I can be. 🙂
Is your family musical?
My family has always had music around the house growing up and my mother especially was always surrounding me with music. She once told me that she used to always play classical music when she was pregnant with me. She always jokes that the classical music is the reason I am a singer. No one in my family sings or plays any instruments but we sure love to blast our music and have occasional dace parties haha 🙂
Who are your inspirations?
I really look up to Demi Lovato and JLo. They are both such talented women and they not only sing but they also dance and act on top of that. I really look up to them and aspire to be like them. On the songwriting side I really look up to Sia & Ed Sheeren. I love their lyrics and how meaningful and relatable they are. They are always so poetic.
Tell us about your hit song “Butterflies”
Butterflies was my first single that debuted on Radio Disney. Butterflies is a song about the feeling you get in your stomach when you have a crush on someone and you are nervous around them.
What kind of music do you listen normally?
I have a really wide variety of music that I listen to. I listen to a lot of R&B, Rap, Hip-hop, Pop, Rock, Alternative, Indie… literally everything. You can find every genre in my music library!
Do you play any instruments?
I started learning guitar when I was younger but it never really stuck. I would love to eventually learn guitar or piano.
Any loves other than music and acting?
Yes! I’m really into fashion. One of my dreams would be to have my own clothing line in the future. I am also into drawing and love finding new music! If I’m not doing music I’m usually sketching some drawings or online trying to find new artists and music. Those are some of the things I really love doing 🙂
Best advice ever given?
Be yourself. Sounds cliché but its so true. Its okay to be different, different is more exciting and cool 🙂
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Musical
Creative
Passionate
How important are the “Sammurais” for you?
My samurais are extremely important! They are the ones who have been with me since the beginning and are still supporting me. They are the ones that have gotten me to where I am now. I am so grateful for my followers; they are so awesome I love them!
What else can we expect from you in the future?
In the future you can expect lots of new music, I’ve been in the studio recording a lot. A spanglish song could be in my near future along with some acting as well!
Do you get nervous before a performance?
There are always those two seconds before I go on stage where I get nervous but for the most part I usually get lots of adrenaline and am super pumped to perform!
Any advice for upcoming singers?
I think my best advise for an upcoming singer is to work hard and to keep going. There are going to be lots of times where people will tell you no or not believe in you. You have to keep your eye on the prize and believe in yourself because if you work hard enough and believe in yourself others will start to believe in you too and you will see things change for the better. 🙂
If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?
I honestly don’t know what I would be doing! I would probably work at a record label or something having to do with music!
First song ever sung?
First song I ever sang on stage was “Think Of Me” by Phantom of the Opera.
Who is your favorite Singer? Why?
That is such a hard question! I look up to a lot of singers and I always study many at a time to influence my singing! I tend to like the “different” voices whether it be raspy or quirky!
How important is Social Media for you?
Social Media is so important! I think social media is a great way for my followers to get to know me and for me to get to know them! It brings me closer to them and its makes us a team and family 🙂
Where we can follow you?
Twitter and Instagram are: @sanchezsammi and you can find all of my other socials on sammisanchez.com 🙂
Quote:
Let Go Let God
Food:
Mexican food! fav.
Drink:
LOTS OF WATER 🙂
City:
LA
Movie:
Grease!
Sport Team:
Um go wildcats? LOL I don’t really know any sports! (that was a High School Musical joke btw) LOL
Song:
Can’t help falling in love by Elvis Presley
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Photos: Courtney Phillip
