SL’s GOT TALENT (SLGT) Contest was created and first produced in 2013 by Jackie
Lefko. She is the CEO of BlueByrd Entertainment (formerly Lefko Entertainment).
The idea of SLGT came to Jackie after debuting several new SL performers at her
venue, The Speakeasy. She felt a contest would be a great opportunity for
those looking to showcase their talent but to also engage in a personal
challenge.
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| Jakie Lefko |
Each round features a variety of genres and
the judges have the difficult task of deciding who moves on to the next round. Artists who make it to through have a significant
chance to be the last competitor standing to receive this prestigious award.
 |
| Scarlett LaRoux |
Sound the trumpet… This year’s SL’s Got
Talent Winner is Scarlett LaRoux (scarlettla.roux), a musical gem in Second Life as well as the
owner of Scarlett’s Place; a venue built on love and mutual admiration for
soul, good music and good company. Scarlett’s sound is smooth and soulful. She
truly has a fabulous gift that she readily shares with others. If you were to
close your eyes and listen closely, you would almost feel as if you have been
transported back in time to a smoky Jazz club.
In RL she sings
Jazz, R&B, and Soft Rock. She has sung in a cappella groups that covered
genres from gospel to rock, and has done solo performances that cover many
genres. Her voice is her instrument and she loves use it to speak to and
influence audiences.
The SL Enquirer caught up with Scarlett to
give you a behind the scenes look at the woman behind the voice.
Meet Scarlett LaRoux
Hi
Scarlett first and foremost, congratulations on winning SL’s Got Talent 2016.
Can you tell your fans what it felt like to hear the announcement?
Scarlett:
I was hoping for that outcome, but mostly I was surprised. It was amazing to know that the judges felt
that I deserved to win the contest. It
was a privilege to be considered the top performer from this great group of
performers in the contest. I heard that
the scores in the final round were really close. That fact makes me more grateful for the
opportunity to sing for this group. I
met some really dynamic performers during the contest, and hope to remain
friends with them for a long time. The
first couple of days after the event were a bit overwhelming with lots of
places to be and a lot of people to talk to.
Where
are you from and when did you begin singing?
Scarlett:
I’m from North Carolina, near the Southern Part of Heaven. J I’ve been singing for as long as I can
remember. My first performances were in
church. I remember the first time I
realized that people applauded a performance of mine. It was when I was about four years old, and
my dad was singing in church. Somehow I
made my way from the pews to where he was singing, and I started singing with
him. I also did a little dance. Evidently the singing was okay, but the
dancing put my mother over the edge.
After that I sang with the youth choir and in school.
My first solo performance was for a
celebration for the small town I lived in.
I was about eleven years old at the time. The ceremony was held in the town square, and
I sang “The Wings of a Dove.” I remember
everyone had gone quiet. I thought they’d
hated it. But people were crying, and
afterwards I was overwhelmed by hugs. That’s when I realized music had an emotional
impact and I decided I’d sing “to” people not “at” them or “for” them.
Who
inspired you the most throughout your singing career? (both in SL and RL)
Scarlett:
Hmmm. Inspiration comes in many forms. So I’d say in RL one of my biggest
inspirations was my 8th grade choral instructor, who at the time
told me that my vocal range was “impractical.”
Even with that assessment, he worked with me to increase my range and
develop vocal control.
Professionally, I’m in love with Ella
Fitzgerald and her vocal acrobatics, and ease of improvisation. I also derive some of my vocal stylings from
artists like Luther Vandross and Natalie Cole.
In SL, I think my inspiration comes from my
closest SL friends. They have believed
in me since day one. I still have
friends in SL that I met when I logged in about nine years ago. Some I have met in person, and we’ve become
great friends in RL and in SL. There are some special people that I have
connected with deeply and their opinion and suggestions matter a lot to
me. I use their input to continue to
develop my craft. I rely on their ears
to tell me whether or not a song is suited to me.
Believe me, there are times I want to sing
certain songs, but I cannot connect to them emotionally. When I practice, or
try out new music, these friends can tell immediately whether I am connecting,
just by the tone of my voice when I sing.
When
did you discover you could perform in Second Life? What were your thoughts?
Scarlett:
I’d gone around listening to various performers with a friend of mine,
and heard MidKnight Auer. He’s a great jazz performer. For some time after hearing that performance I
thought how cool was that? I too could actually sing music that I liked in a
place like this, and to people who liked the same kind of music I do.
A few weeks later, I scheduled my first performance
at a venue called Catch a Falling Star. Silverwind
Tzedek was the owner. That first performance was rough. I nearly hyperventilated, and the stream was
too slow, so it was a little choppy. I still
can’t believe the people who were there sat through it.
As a
singer, what do you find the most challenging and rewarding?
Scarlett:
The most challenging thing for me is to keep my fingers on the
audience’s pulse, and to find music that I can share with them that they’ll
like.
Describe
what it feels like to perform. Is it something that comes naturally or do you
feel nervous before a performance?
Scarlett: Before most performances I am a
little nervous. I talk through an intro to make a connection with the audience,
and sing the first few notes of a song, after which things start to come more
easily. As long as I feel like I have
two-way communication with the audience I’m fine. My dad has always said that I put the ham in
ham, so if I know someone likes what I’m doing that’s like adding wood to the
fire, and makes me go a little bigger.
Can
you share one of your most memorable moments in your singing career?
Scarlett:
One of the most memorable moments has been winning the SLGT
contest. It blew my mind right outta my
head. Who knew! I had taken some time away and was a little
bit out of practice.
Someone hadn’t shown up for a performance
at Café Musique, and I asked Laya Sugarplum if I could sing until the next scheduled
performer showed up. She said, “yes,”
even though she didn’t know me from Adam.
Shortly after that she told me about the SLGT contest. She knew I was trying to ease back into
performing in SL and thought that it would be good for me.
Not
only do you perform in Second Life but you also manage your own venue;
Scarlett’s Place. Can you tell our readers about this venue and people who
visit and talent that graces your stage?
Scarlett:
Scarlett’s place came about because I had benefactors in SL for a while,
Atticus Falconer and Arwyn Lavendel.
They actually built Scarlett’s place because they wanted me to have
somewhere to sing that had my name on it. Sadly, Atticus died RL and we had to
move Scarlett’s place, so I moved the physical club to the first plot of land I
ever “lived” on in SL.
As you can probably tell, I’m a little
sentimental, holding on to that parcel for so long. Scarlett’s place is pretty much a hangout for
anyone who wants to go there, and for anyone who wants to sing there. When I run into people who are learning to
perform in SL, I bring them to Scarlett’s Place and help them with the
technical aspects of it. If they need or
want vocal coaching, I provide that too.
I’m just paying forward the kindnesses that people have shown me through
the years.
Before
we wrap up this interview, is there anything else you would like to share with
our readers?
Scarlett:
I love singing as much as some people love chocolate. RL my coworkers know whether I’m having a
good day or a bad day by the songs I sing, or by the phrases I set to music coming
out of just general conversation.
Thank
you so much for taking the time for this interview and again congratulations!
Additional
Information
Scarlett’s Place SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Duzzclown/239/80/702
Facebook:
ScarlettLaroux
Twitter: ScarlettLaRoux
Other:
Manager:
Jerry Stringer
Preferred Contact: Jerry Stringer
Booking information: bookscarlett@gmail.com
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