It’s no secret that HerCampus is a major supporter of the education non-profit She’s the First. Tonight marks the third annual Girls Who Rock event, the largest social event during Internet Week New York. Girls Who Rock started in 2010 and, since then, has raised more than $23,000 to sponsor 32 girls in Tanzania and Uganda; this year’s focus is on India, which the United Nations has called the most dangerous place to be born a girl.
This year’s event has performances by American Idol Season 10 finalist Haley Reinhart; Sarah Gregory, of Brooklyn’s Sarah and the Stanleys; Jessica Latshaw, who soared to fame after a video of her performing on the subway went viral; Shin-B, a hip-hop artist who made the world’s first music video with QR codes within the storyline; and mash-up artists The Jane Doze, along with emcee Michael Thurber.
If you’re in the New York area tonight (perhaps starting your summer internship) you can still get a ticket to attend Girls Who Rock. Tickets are $50 and all proceeds go to sponsor girls’ education at the Shanti Bhavan school, so that they can break the cycle of poverty and build a relationship with their sponsors via the She’s the First Website. The concert starts at 8 at the Gramercy Theatre in New York. Can’t make it to the event? You can still donate to the cause to help them reach their goal of $50,000!
HerCampus got to interview Haley Reinhart, who told us all about her new album, which comes out May 22. Check out the interview below!
HerCampus: What can we expect from your album coming out on May 22?
Haley Reinhart: I think that there was a lot of anticipation and people were wondering what kind of direction I’d go into and I think it’s safe to say I’m not in just one direction. I’m in a lot of different genres. It wasn’t completely intentional, but I had all these different influences, so everything is represented. I have soul and a rockier, funkier side. There’s a lot going on, but there’s continuity there.
HC: Why are you so excited to perform at Girls Who Rock?
HR: I’m very pleased to be a part of something that’s such a huge cause. Especially speaking from a women’s point of view, I’ve always been the empowering type. I’m always the first one to stick up for a women of any cause. Being able to help girls’ higher education really hits home in a sense of where I’m coming form. I’m glad the entertainment world can help.
HC: Who is a woman that inspires you?
HR: My mother. She’s such a strong willed woman. And my grandmother — she had six kids, so that’s a lot. They’re some tough chicks. They have a lot of layers on their skin and so do I after everything that’s happened the last two years. And other singers, as well — Christina Aguilera is the first one that pops into my head. There are songs like Fighter that just come out to me.
HC: What do you want your fans to be able to takeaway from your album?
HR: I wrote this music and wanted everyone to be able to feel good while they hear it. That’s very important to me. The material, lyrically, is very relatable. From what I’ve heard from people who have heard the album is they really feel they can connect to each [song].
HC: You’re super confident, but how do you get through days that you’re feeling less than confident?
HR: I’m out here in LA on my own and I definitely feel lonesome at times without my family because I’m so family oriented. So, for me, I just remind myself that this is my dream and this is what I’ve always aspired to do and this is what I’ve made happen for myself. I just have to sit and count my blessings and realize this is my fate.
HC: What would you say to someone who wants to be a singer and do what you’re doing?
HR: Well, I mean, I would say, more than anything, words of encouragement. If you know you were born to do this, then do it. I never imagined a plan B. I always felt this is what I was born to do. Luckily for me I have supportive parents a and sister and a family who has been right behind me, but I know that’s not the same for everyone. The most important thing is for you to believe in yourself.
HC: What’s your favorite song off the album?
HR: There are several and with each day that passes on my favorite song changes because there are a lot of different sounds going on Particularly there’s one called Walking on Heaven that talks about simply how we can all make this heaven on earth depending on our point of view because it really is a beautiful place and sometimes you just need to stop and smell the roses and breathe it all in.