Exclusive Interview: AleXa Chats About Winning American Song Contest, AAPI Representation, and More

The winner of American Song Contest has been announced and it’s Oklahoma’s AleXa. Based on the worldwide phenomenon Eurovision Song Contest, the competition featured artists from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, and our nation’s capital competing to win the country’s vote for the Best Original Song.

AleXa brought audiences to Wonderland, representing her home state and the K-pop community. For weeks, AleXa captivated viewers with her showstopping performances.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to catch up with AleXa following her historic win!

PC: Congratulations on winning American Song Contest. This has been a year-long process for you. When you look back at this experience, what will you remember most?
AleXa: There have been so many memorable moments from this experience. It’s really hard to pinpoint one. But honestly, it was the day that we all met each other for the first episode. I got to meet all these wonderful artists—the same for the semis and finals. Some of us didn’t get to see each other until the semifinals and finals happened. I walked in to meet these incredible artists, and I came out of this show with so many incredible friends.

PC: Not only were you one of the top songs voted by the jury but your fans really pushed you over the edge. If you could share a message with them, what would it be?
AleXa: First and foremost, I would love to say thank you all for the unwavering support that you have shown me, whether you are a new fan that found me through American Song Contest or you’ve been with me since my debut or before as an A.I. Trooper. Thank you so much for all the positivity, the love, and the overall sense of community that you guys share together. It really lifts my spirits.

PC: What I really appreciate about you is that every time that you stepped onto that stage, you brought new dynamics and built on the previous performance. What was that creative process like for you heading into each round? Was it a challenge to find new ways to elevate the creative?
AleXa: The creative team that we’re working with are performance and stage geniuses. Even before the show began they were like, “What can we do to bring this to the next level to give you that wow factor?” Of course, we incorporated the really cool rope work and everything. Then we graciously moved on to the semifinals and we had to up the ante. It was like, “What if we did some aerial work?” They always recommended these incredible challenges that I love to take on. I’m really grateful that they had faith in me to do so. Then for the finals they were like, “She’s the Red Queen now. What if we incorporate a throne and suspend it in midair?” I’m so grateful to be working with all these creative people that were so open to our ideas and that we could bounce ideas back and forth with. It was a really fun process to create every performance.

PC: You shared this moment with your family and your team. What was it like getting to celebrate last night? How did they keep you calm while they were revealing the jury’s and America’s votes?
AleXa: If I’m going to be frank, I think my mother and father were a bit more nervous than I was. My mother was on my left and my dad was on my right. As the jury votes began to be revealed, we were all holding hands together. I felt my mom anxiously shaking against me. She was like, “Come on. Come on. Come on.” Everything was such an emotional process leading up to all the jury votes being revealed and America’s vote. It was just a lot of crying—but a lot of happiness. My heart is full of gratitude and joy.

PC: What I’ve loved about this show is that it’s shown the diversity in each state. When you think of Oklahoma, you don’t necessarily think of K-pop, but we will now because of you. What has it meant to you to show a different side of your home state?
AleXa: First and foremost, being able to represent my home state of Oklahoma where I was born and raised for twenty-one years of my life and where I experienced some of the most formative years of my life, I’m so grateful. Even getting the chance to go back to film my little pre-show opening before the qualifying round, to see all my old high school teachers, friends and family, and everybody from Oklahoma, was such a heartwarming opportunity. Being able to win this for them and show that the state is multifaceted and not just one genre or one music style makes me so happy. I’m so happy to show that this is what we have to offer and that Asian Americans also come from Oklahoma and this is what we’re capable of.

PC: Speaking of Asian Americans, it’s AAPI month. Who are some of the people in your community who have shaped the artist and person that you are today?
AleXa: As a K-pop artist, I look up to so many of my respected seniors. But if I had to name two, I really look up to soloist Kim Ah. She’s incredible. I adore everything she does. Then I really look up to Taemin from SHINee. He’s an incredible performer and dancer. Those are two of my role models in the industry.

PC: You were talking about the artists that you met on the show. I know you’d like to collaborate with them all, but who’s on the top of your list?
AleXa: There are honestly way too many to count. We’ve been joking like, “What if we wrote a song together? When’s our collab coming out?” It’s so hard to choose, but it’s so heartwarming because after everything that happened last night, everyone was like, “Hey, if you’re ever in our state, hit us up.” I was like, “Hey, if you’re ever in Korea hit me up.” [laughs]

PC: You’ve said in other interviews that you’ve learned a lot from this experience. What would you say is the biggest lesson that you’ve learned that you’re now going to apply to your career moving forward?
AleXa: This is a heavy question. I’m not going to get emotional with this one. But throughout this journey, I’ve been able to become more comfortable in my skin and in presenting myself as not only AleXa the artist on stage but AleXa the person as well. I’m trying to show and represent what I believe in and what I feel truly drives people like us, Asian Americans, moving forward. I hope to be that source of strength and encouragement for us to move forward and up.

PC: Eight weeks ago you kicked off this competition, and you closed out the show as well. When you look back at AleXa eight weeks ago, did anything surprise you about this journey?
AleXa: There were very many surprises. You can never be too sure about how the results are going to turn out. There are fan votes but also the jury. I was so nervous every single time that there was a vote reveal. I said my prayers. I was just hoping and wishing so hard. Every time I had the opportunity to pass on to the next round, it was a huge surprise. Last night was the biggest surprise in my life and a very unforgettable experience overall.

PC: What’s next for the AleXa-verse?
AleXa: I have some fan signings planned for LA and Las Vegas, I believe. But further out, I really hope to tour eventually and just do everything that I can to see the fans in person and show the gratitude that I have for everybody that’s been supporting me throughout my career and on this show.

To keep up with AleXa, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music.