Kelsie Watts Captivates Audiences with New Single “After Midnight” and Shares Journey to Stardom

by Sara Aguinaga on August 17, 2024 in Entertainment, Music,
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Kelsie Watts’ new single, “After Midnight,” dropped on June 28 and is already capturing hearts around the globe. 

Known for her incredible vocal range and authentic presence, Kelsie has garnered millions of followers across social media platforms. In an exclusive interview with Texas Lifestyle Magazine, Kelsie opens up about her career journey, the impact of social media and the importance of staying true to herself.

“After Midnight”

Kelsie’s album cover for “After Midnight.” Photo courtesy @GuapCityProductions

Kelsie’s newly released “After Midnight” single excites her, as she has worked tirelessly to establish herself as an independent artist. Kelsie states, “It’s my newest single and a project I put my heart and soul into.”

She explains the lyrical meaning, “This song conveys the feeling of living in two realities. Reality number one is my life on display with the happiness and glamor, and reality number two is my life where I have hurt and pain. Neither reality exists without the other. And I want people to know it’s okay for the world to see both. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my past, so I took off the mask hiding my hurt to let people know they’re not alone.”

Lubbock Roots

Born in Lubbock, Texas, Kelsie had a childhood that many of us idealize today. “I can honestly say that I loved growing up in Lubbock. I went to public school, played outside, and sang in church,” Kelsie says. She recalls how her family members noticed her powerful vocals when she was only two.

Kelsie reminisces about these early years, “My parents raised me on a wide variety of musical genres! I listened to everything from musical theater to KISS to Boston to Whitney Houston to The Gaither Vocal Band. I grew up simply being surrounded by good music!”

High School

In high school, Kelsie landed roles in school plays and blossomed as an artist. “I found a community of friends in high school theater and choir where I felt comfortable enough to be myself and grow,” she says.

“I was able to experiment with my voice and musical choices without being judged, and that helped me have the confidence moving forward to start my journey as an artist.”

College Years

After graduating high school, Kelsie left the South Plains of Texas to study opera, vocal performance and commercial music at Belmont University in Nashville. The opportunity to be in Nashville’s vibrant music scene allowed Kelsie to capitalize on creating her own music.

Breakthrough Collaboration

Kelsie poses for a stunning promotional shot for her new single “After Midnight.” Photo courtesy @GuapCityProductions

Kelsie took the music world by storm with her independent releases, quickly capturing the attention of industry insiders and fellow musicians. In 2020, her growing reputation led to a standout moment in her career: she was invited to lend her powerful vocals to “Hurts to Love You,” a track by AJ McLean of the iconic Backstreet Boys.

This collaboration, released through McLean’s ATCK label, marked a thrilling milestone for the emerging artist, showcasing her extraordinary talent on a global stage.

The Voice

Shortly after “Hurts to Love You” was released, Kelsie auditioned for Season 19 of NBC’s The Voice. She performed Kelly Clarkson’s “I Dare You,” in which she deeply impressed the pop superstar and earned a spot on Team Kelly.

Upon reflection on the significant praise, Kelsie recalls, “I was stunned! Auditioning for The Voice is stressful alone, but combine it with singing one of the coach’s songs and it’s amplified by a million.”

She continues, “Having Kelly say such amazing things about my voice and performance is something I’ll cherish for life.” The video of Kelsie’s performance became a viral sensation and has amassed millions of views. 

Social Media Stardom

In August 2023, Kelsie uploaded a cover of Celine Dion’s “Power of Love,” a viral sensation that garnered over 13 million views. The high viewership and support from fans shocked Kelsie. “I didn’t expect there to be such a huge response,” she says. “We did that video in one take. I just needed content for the day and that was a song Brandon really wanted me to cover. I would’ve never imagined that it would reach over 13M on TikTok alone!”

There is no genre or style that Kelsie can’t tackle. She interacts with her fans on social media and often performs songs requested by her followers. She has covered songs for artists such as Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Shania Twain and Journey. This dedication to her fans can make the audience feel appreciated and valued, knowing Kelsie takes their requests to heart.

The genre she loves the most yet finds the most challenging is soul/gospel due to the emotion she has to put into the songs.

Social Media Management

Kelsie Watts captivates the audience with her incredible vocal range during a live performance. Photo Brandon Swygert

Kelsie’s powerful vocals have earned her over 100 million views across social media platforms. However, her social media presence comes with highs and lows. When discussing how she manages the pressure and expectations that come with a large following, she says, “I’m not going to lie. Sometimes, I have a mini meltdown and freak out. But most of the time, I stick to my boundaries.”

Her husband, Brandon, is Kelsie’s biggest supporter and appears in many of her videos. “I have to maintain a healthy work/life balance so that I don’t become burnt out or overwhelmed. Brandon also helps me stay grounded and reminds me that I’m not defined by social media numbers. I can’t predict how the algorithm will work with my videos on each platform. Priority number one is keeping my authenticity.”

Traditional Music Career

Although Kelsie loves performing fans’ requests on her social media accounts, her main goal is to show the world the creativity and originality she brings to her songwriting. She strives to combine her social media presence with her traditional music career. 

“I gained a lot of traction on TikTok and Instagram by singing covers, which I’m so grateful for,” Kelsie says. “But I’m now working on introducing my audience to the artistry and music that I create. It takes a little bit of time, but I’m hoping my audience is receptive and loves my music!”

Influence From Texas Artists

A powerful portrait of Kelsie, showcasing her dynamic presence as a rising music star. Photo courtesy @GuapCityProductions

During her formative years in Texas, Kelsie was inspired by many Texas artists. When asked which artists most inspired her, she says, “Beyonce and Selena Gomez are huge influences, in addition to Kelly Clarkson. All three have created their own empire in entertainment. I love the soul and confidence of each artist. They are themselves unapologetically.”

Songwriting Process

Every artist has a unique approach to creating music, and Kelsie shares her preference for co-writing. “Typically, it looks like being in a room with a producer and another writer. We bounce ideas off of each other, talk about how we’ve been feeling. That will lead to us playing around with different sounds and chords, then we start building melodies and lyrics. It’s pretty cool to see the process!”

Visual Storytelling

In 2021, Kelsie Watts released the track “Live Out Loud,” produced by multi-Platinum and GRAMMY-nominated producer NicoTheOwl. The music video, directed by legendary photographer and director Leslie Kee, gained notable attention when streamed on loop 24/7 from the Tokyo Sky Tree during the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.

Japan’s reputation for stunning visuals in film makes the continuous broadcast of Kelsie’s music video especially impressive. Kelsie appreciates the role of visual storytelling in her work. “Visuals help convey a message sometimes more than words even do,” she says. “And combined, it’s incredibly powerful!”

Grief’s Role in Kelsie’s Music

Kelsie delivers an electrifying performance. Photo Brandon Swygert

One of the best aspects of Kelsie as an artist is that she brings challenges from her personal life into her music. Her single “Can’t Say Goodbye” was inspired by the grief of losing her brother to suicide. The song was integral in her healing process, and Kelsie wanted to bring hope to others who have faced similar losses.

“Losing my brother drastically changed my life,” says Kelsie. “My world stopped and I had to learn how to keep moving. This song is my grief on paper. I wanted this song to be relatable to anyone who had lost someone too soon. I am extremely passionate about mental health awareness and reminding everyone that they’re not alone.”

Advice to Aspiring Musicians

Artists looking to make a name for themselves in the music industry must stand out among the crowd on social media, something Kelsie knows all too well. When asked what advice she would give to artists trying to break into the industry on social media, Kelsie says, “Be consistent! Post every day. Post the same type of content so that your audience knows who you are. Experiment with post times. But above all, be authentically yourself.”

Looking Ahead

As Kelsie Watts continues to build on her impressive achievements, her passion for music and dedication to authenticity shine through. With exciting projects on the horizon, including new music, tours, and potential collaborations, fans have much to look forward to.

Visit Kelsie’s website and follow her on social media for the latest updates and to stay connected with her evolving career. The future is bright for this rising star, and her fans eagerly anticipate what’s next in her musical journey.

“There is sooooo much coming! Lots of music, tours, collaborations. I will absolutely keep you updated!” Kelsie shares with infectious enthusiasm.

Kelsie’s socials

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Cover photo Brandon Swygert

Sara Aguinaga is a dedicated massage therapist and editorial contributor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She loves indulging in spa treatments, exploring diverse cuisines, and traveling. Follow her on Instagram @salice_1987.