By Sahar Milani

With a voice of an angel and talent that cannot be overlooked, Krystal is the first artist signed onto the Backstreet Boys new label, Street Records. Krystal is unlike your everyday artist- at 19 she plays not only the piano, but also the drums, guitar, and flute just to name a few.

Hooking up with her manager, a little over two years ago, not only started her career, but also an extraordinary friendship with him. Krystal has a love and passion for music that can only be explained as a destiny. Singing since she was 18 months old and playing the piano from 3 years old, it was only a matter of time that Krystal’s name would be known to the world.

With her single “Supergirl” hitting airwaves and her album hitting store shelves soon, Krystal is a music sensation in the making and she is ready for the responsibility. And, she doesn’t start small; her first world tour is with none other than the kings of pop themselves, the Backstreet Boys. It is a chance of a lifetime and she is ready and willing to take advantage of it, especially when it happens to coincide with their new album release.

If Krystal’s album is anything like her two songs “Supergirl” and “My Religion”, we are in for a pleasant surprise. It is unique and heartfelt and totally something that you usually don’t see in the music industry. This album is about to fill a void that the music business has had for way too long. She is ready to bring a different song and her message to her fans, or as she calls them, her friends. I was lucky enough to spend sometime in Krystal’s world to see what her music, her message and so much more is all about, so check it out!

 

N-Zone: Krystal, explain to me how you started out and ended up on Street Records?

Krystal: Well, I have been singing and playing the piano forever. About two years ago, I hooked up with my manager. We were shopping for a label, when Kevin from the Backstreet Boys heard me. My manager had known them from the beginning and Kevin told him that the Boys were starting a label and they decided to have me as their first artist.

N-Zone: How is your relationship with the Backstreet Boys?

Krystal: They are great. They are like my older brothers.

N-Zone: You are in a position that almost every 19-year-old girl wants to be in, to work with the Backstreet Boys. Can you explain each of the guys in three words?

Krystal: Nick is a real cool guy. He is exactly what you would expect a normal 21 year old to be. AJ is like my twin. He is a real daredevil. Brian is just sweet. Howie is just Howie. He is just so sweet. Kevin rules. He is my guardian angel.

N-Zone: Are there any plans to do a duet with the Boys?

Krystal: Yes, actually we are doing a duet on my album Me & My Piano. The song is called “You’re the Reason”. It’s about god and how without him I couldn’t do anything.

N-Zone: I know that your piano is a big part of your life, so besides that, what is one thing you can’t give up?

Krystal: My voice. My manager. He is my best friend.

N-Zone: Where is one of the coolest places you have been?

Krystal: Right now, definitely Ft. Lauderdale/Miami. There was just so much love there. They were just great to me. I went to a radio station down there, Y-100, and they were just great to me. I was able to play two songs and the fans down there were great. I also just want to mention, that I absolutely love Jade from Y-100. She is too cool.

N-Zone: You are on the Backstreet Boys world tour, where is one place you are looking forward to go and visit?

Krystal: Brazil. I have some family now there I want to see and I have one fan, especially that I want to meet there.

          N-Zone: Talking about family, how have they been about your dream to be a singer?

Krystal: My family has been real supportive, especially my mom.

N-Zone: Do you have any siblings?

Krystal: No, I am an only child. But, my manager has a huge family and they have taken me in, so I feel so blessed.

N-Zone: I see your friendship with your manager. It isn’t something that happens too often, that a manager and an artist are best friends.

Krystal: He is a blessing. He is my best friend. Although there is an age difference, it really doesn’t seem like it.

N-Zone: You mentioned that AJ is your twin and he is a daredevil, so I am guessing that makes you one also, so what is the most daring thing you’ve done?

Krystal: Well, King Islands has one of those drop rides. The ones that take you all the way to the top and just falls. That is probably the most daring. I want to sky dive at some point.

N-Zone: Are you afraid of losing your identity?

Krystal: No, because I am always changing. I just got a tattoo and I always like to change my look, my hair, the color.

N-Zone: I know this is probably hard to imagine, but if you were in the business right now, what would you be doing?

Krystal: I had a back up plan. You always need a backup plan. I have training in music so I would probably be at a school like Julliard.

N-Zone: I heard that you meant Enrique Iglesias, how was that?

Krystal: It was great. He just reeks with sweetness.

N-Zone: OK, time to talk about the album, explain the album to me in about three words.

Krystal: Meaningful. About Soul. It’s about Love also. I have a background in black gospel; it is definitely something you can hear in my music.

N-Zone: What are some of your musically influences?

Krystal:  Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Al Green, Bon Jovi, just to name a few.

N-Zone: Do you write your own songs?

Krystal: Yes, with my writing partner, J. Morant.

N-Zone: ­ What are your songs about?

Krystal: It has to do with fulfilling your dreams.

N-Zone: I heard “My Religion” on the Backstreet Boys Burger King album. What is that song about?

Krystal: It is just about love. It is just about love, you know.

N-Zone: Describe yourself.

Krystal: I am a regular girl trying to fulfill a dream from birth.

N-Zone: I know that you collect Superman things, why?

Krystal: He is the all around good guy. He helps people. And, that is what I want to do with my music.

N-Zone: You have some great fans. What do they mean to you?

Krystal: My fans are truly my friends, that is how I see them. Every single one of my fans, I consider them as my friends.

N-Zone: It is nice to see this realness that you have in. It is really great. So, when does your single and album come out?

Krystal: The single is coming about in about a week and a half and the album soon after that.

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