1.Talk about your new music?
Liahona: My new music portrays who I am and how far I’ve come in my music abilities. My album shares a lot of messages that are close to my heart. It required a lot of vulnerability and hard work but in the end it’s a product that I’m proud of and an album that really feels like me. I hope listeners have fun on this journey while they listen to my album. They will see many sides of me, and they get to be up close and personal and see what’s in my heart.
2.Some of the songs on your new album you’ve written and produced yourself. Most songwriters don’t know the production side of things, how were you able to develop that skill and how important is that in your career?
Liahona: Knowing the production side of things is critical in my music career! I would get frustrated with different producers who couldn’t capture the sound I wanted, and I felt helpless not being able to show them or explain it to them because I didn’t know how to use their equipment. So, I bought the software myself and started to teach myself using YouTube videos and tutorials. Now I can produce my own music, and I can speak the “same language” as the producers when we’re in a writing session to get exactly what I envision my music to be. This has made a huge difference in the
way I write music.
3.Where did you do most of your recording?
Liahona: I do most of my recording in my bedroom. After I am done with the first draft, then I usually record the final vocals in studios in Utah, California, or Florida.
4.What’s your biggest inspiration in your music?
Liahona: Music explains how I feel better than words ever could. So, whatever I go through in life, my fans will know through my music. Everyone knows who I am through my music. Music is where I don’t need to hide who I am.
5.Who is your mentor?
Liahona: I look to my family for a lot of inspiration and direction. So, I would say they are my biggest mentors and supporters.
6.What’s on your playlist right now?
Liahona: Songs that make me wanna dance and have fun! The 90’s are on my playlist. I’m a huge 80’s and 90’s fan!
7.How has your music changed since you were on American Idol.
Liahona: My sound has improved, and I know exactly what I want, and I know how to do it.
8.What major tips do you take away from that experience?
Liahona: To have fun in the process and to know it’s ok to say no. Get a good attorney, have your family always by your side, remember your worth and don’t settle for less!
9.What would you tell a young person starting out in the music business?
Liahona: You have to understand that this is a business, and you need to think that way. Don’t let emotions take over you. Learn from others in the industry who have been successful and be humble and teachable.
10.What would you tell your fans about yourself that they might not know?
Liahona: I lived in Mexico for 18 months and I now speak fluent Spanish! While living there, I almost died from a 2-foot parasite that the doctors found in my body.
11.Talk about your most recent photo shoot and the fashion choices.
Liahona: My recent photo shoot was super fun and exciting! My creative director is unmatched and helped it all come together. I have an amazing stylist that really helped to elevate my look and choose wardrobes that reflect my character. My photographer was phenomenal, and masterful in creating
photos that told the story about each of my songs. My hair and makeup artist were also so good at making sure I looked young and fresh. It made me so excited for this new album and to share it all with you!
12.Where do you see your music going in the next 5 years?
Liahona: Worldwide, Grammys, world tour!
13.If you could change one person’s life through your music - what song would that be and why?
Liahona: “These Lips,” I can’t wait for the release of this song. It talks about how a woman doesn’t know her worth until she learns about it. And once she knows who she is, she won’t settle for less or lower her standards. It’s also such a fun song!
14.When did you know you wanted to be a singer as a career?
Liahona: When I was 12 years old after I wrote my first song. I wanted to write and sing for the rest of my life.
15.Which family member has been the most influential in your singing career?
Liahona: My mom. She always believed in me and supported me 100% in my music.
16.What was the first song you ever heard?
Liahona: My mom sang to me when she was pregnant with me. But I don’t know what song that was!
17.If you were not a recording artist what would be doing?
Liahona: There’s no other option. This is it!
18.How has your faith guided you in music?
Liahona: My faith has helped me to stay grounded and to know who I am. My faith guides me to create music that is inspiring and uplifting, and to write songs that are true to who I am.
19.What made you decide to go to Mexico as a missionary?
Liahona: My love for God inspired me to serve an 18-month mission in Mexico. When I submitted my papers to serve a mission, I didn’t get to choose where in the world I would be serving. I am given an assignment, and I was so excited to accept my call to serve in Mexico.
20.What do you think most needy people should do to make them happier?
Liahona: Happiness is found by knowing who you are and knowing God’s plan for you. Discovering your meaning and purpose in life through God will bring true and lasting happiness.
21.What was different about the culture in Mexico?
Liahona: They are very festive people who love to sing and dance. They are a lot kinder, humbler, and always willing to give what they have. Even living in poor conditions with dirt floors and no electricity, they are grateful for what they have.
22.Was it difficult to blend in?
Liahona: Yes, I didn’t know the language. I looked Asian and I was a lot fairer skinned than the people there. They called me “Guerra”!
23.How hard was it to learn a new language?
Liahona: It was difficult and at the beginning it was discouraging because I couldn’t understand or communicate with the people. But in time, I was able to understand and eventually communicate like a native.
24.What kind of hardships did you encounter?
Liahona: Sickness, living in conditions with dirt floors and a tin roof, walking 10-15 miles per day, lots of rejection, food I couldn’t eat. I missed my family terribly and I dreamed of the day I would be on stage singing again.
25.Did you see any political unrest?
Liahona: Due to the cartels, drug dealers, traffickers, and poor conditions it was dangerous in some areas. I had to be vigilant of my surroundings and make sure I got home before it was too late.
26.What’s the difference between a third world country for you and America?
Liahona: Third world countries don’t have modern things like America. Their industry includes hard manual labor and jobs like sewing, making dresses, selling fruit on the street, doing a lot of things with their hands.
27.What did you like about the country?
Liahona: I loved the pan dulce! Best thing I ever ate. I loved the people; they were so humble. I loved the language, the music, and the dancing!
28.What did you like about the food?
Liahona: I liked how every state had its own cuisine. It was very flavorful and fun to taste different foods from different places.
29.How has your missionary work changed your music?
Liahona: It allowed me to trust in God more, and He has been able to elevate my music beyond my capabilities. God can make more of your life than you can make of it by yourself. His spirit inspires me and lays out the vision of what I will write and sing about.
30.What kinds of people did you encounter?
Liahona: I encountered people from all walks of life. Druggies, rich people, poor people, humble people, arrogant people, mean people, nice people, and friendly people.
31.How do the people there treat each other?
Liahona: Everyone said, “good morning, good afternoon and good night,” no matter who you were. I thought that was cool! Overall, they treated each other with kindness because they didn’t have much.
32.Was there any time when you felt alone and scared?
Liahona: Absolutely. When I first moved to Mexico, I didn’t know anyone, and my living conditions were not like America. I also didn’t know the language and I had to learn how to adapt to a new country. I felt alone without my family. Especially when Christmas comes around and the holidays. That was the hardest time for me remembering all the love and joy I used to have with my family during those times. However, I was able to write some of my best songs during these times in Mexico, and I can’t wait to share those with the world.
33.How did your faith help you?
Liahona: It was the only thing that helped me. I had to hold onto my faith to endure my circumstances. I was on my knees more than ever praying to God for help, strength, and answers. He always comforted me and gave me the strength to press forward.
34.What’s the next mission you would like to be part of?
Liahona: I would like to help orphanages and single moms. My ALO Foundation will focus on those efforts.
35.What was the best part of this experience?
Liahona: The best part was getting closer to God and helping others get closer to Him too.
36.What was the hardest part of this experience?
Liahona: Being away from my family, putting my music career on hold, and having to adapt to a new country.
37.Did you make forever friends on your journey?
Liahona: Absolutely! I met people that I will keep close forever. I met amazing families that cared for me like I was their daughter, and it helped me feel like I had a part of my family with me.
38.Was there something sentimental that you brought with you?
Liahona: I kept a journal for 18 months there. I also brought my ukulele, and I was able to sing and share a lot of my music with the people there.
39.Was there something sentimental that you brought home with you?
Liahona: I bought “flores eternas” for all the girls in my family to represent that their beauty is eternal.
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