By Megan Johnson and Sydney Sears
As we all know, growing up is a challenging struggle. For most high school students, an average day is a hard task to endure. Waking up, going to school, doing homework/chores and sometimes even the additional drama is what teens have come to know as “just another day.”
However, imagine being a nationally known singer/songwriter and having to deal with all of the above. This is the life of 13 year-old singer/songwriter Meadow Ryann.
“[Stardom] didn’t affect my school or social life in a great way. It didn’t make school any easier and didn’t make people easier to deal with. I was always gone,” said Ryann.
Due to Ryann having to travel to other states to perform she could not regularly attend school. The same situation occurred as well when it came to her other extra-curricular activities such as cheerleading and swimming.
“I could never do any of the normal things kids would do. I couldn’t cheer anymore, I couldn’t swim anymore. I couldn’t be in class anymore because I was always gone,” said Ryann.
Ryann also explained that as she began her journey towards stardom, having a social life became even harder. Ryann’s mother/manager Jeannine Drollinger shared her thoughts on how Ryann’s life was affected by stardom.
“People used to say things behind her back, but now they send us private messages on social media,” said Drollinger.
She explained that within these messages, people sometimes questioned her motives as a mother.
“I get really upset when people say, ‘You’re just trying to make her famous.’ My quote is there’s a difference in being famous and being successful. I use that all the time.”
Drollinger also shared that sometimes people tend to underestimate Ryann as well.
“I hear a lot, ‘Oh she’s just a singer.’ But there’s so much more that goes along with it,” said Drollinger.
She explained that as Ryann’s manager, she has to book gigs, shows and has to spend several hours just managing Ryann’s social media accounts. Ryann also has to go to different recording sessions, concerts, shows and photo/video shoots that take a lot of effort and hard work.
“They think she just shows up on stage and there she is, but there’s so much more that goes along with it.”
In spite of all the negativity flowing through her life at that time, Ryann now has a positive light to help her through any dark time. Her light is her singing and songwriting.
“I feel like writing songs can make anyone happy. I feel like there have been so many times that I’ve just been in a bad mood and I’m just so depressed, and I’ll write something and it’ll just brighten my mood. It’s like a hug from an instrument.”
Ryann feels her music style is very special and unique.
“If you took Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, and Nora Jones, even Ed Sheeran and you mixed them all together, that’d be me,” said Ryann with a smile.
Freshman Kaelyn Gibson met Ryann at her friends party over the summer and has become friends with the upcoming star.
“We just clicked,” said Gibson.
Gibson mentioned that upon meeting the singer, she found out about Ryann’s career. Gibson said that Ryann is different from other singers because she’s shy and sweet and not wrapped up in herself like many other artists. Despite Ryann’s shy and girly persona, she enjoys other artists and bands like Blake Veil Brides, Sleeping with Sirens and NeverShoutNever.
“Ryann’s music is gonna be really popular. I think she has a lot going for her,” said Gibson.
Ryann also shared that she lives by several slogans that help her get through the hard times.
“I have several slogans that I use a lot. It may sound ‘corny’ or ‘cheesy’ but it really, really helps. For example, if someone calls you a chair. Does that really mean you’re a chair? Obviously, no you aren’t. You’re a human being. So if someone calls you an ugly or a nasty name, does that mean that you are that thing? No.”
Drollinger added one last comment regarding to Ryann’s success.
“Sometimes I’m just like ‘How do you come up with this stuff?’ It’s just pure raw emotion that she brings to me. I’m proud, very obviously, proud.”
If you are interested in learning more about Ryann, her musical abilities and where she will be performing next you can visit her website. She will have a 5 song EP released in mid-September, containing her own original song, “That is Love.” You can connect to her via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Soundcloud, Reverbnation and email through her site. If you wish to contact her through ask.fm or instagram search “Meadow Ryann.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRWWLLpk6Ro]