Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Ariel Rose

Ariel Rose is an award-winning songwriter who knows how to connect with any listener. She’s combined her Latin influences with her classically trained technique to create a song that can best be described as magic. Earlier this year, she penned an uplifting new single titled “Somebody Loves You.” Pop Culturalist caught up with Ariel to learn more about “Somebody Loves You” and the inspiration behind the song.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Ariel: I’ve always had a passion for music! I come from a very musical family. Both of my grandfathers were musicians, and my dad, who’s featured in my new music video, is a classically trained pianist. I have so many memories growing up where I would sleep under the piano while my dad played. I’ve actually been singing in front of audiences since I was six years old. Around that age, I was watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and a female vocalist was singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” in a very stylized way and I remember thinking “I want to sing just like her.” And I did! My parents thought the radio was on and ran into the room and saw that it was actually me singing. After that, I would sing at all of their friends’ parties, and it just grew from there. I always knew I wanted to be a singer.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Ariel: My family has had a huge influence on my career. They’ve always been so supportive, and I am extremely grateful for that. Various teachers, coaches, and other artists have influenced me as well. I’ve always looked up to amazing vocalists like Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, and Audra McDonald. I’ve had the opportunity to see all three perform live and they are really incredible performers. I think it’s so important to watch as many live concerts and performances as possible because there is always something you can learn and take away.

My voice coach has taught me since I was twelve, and he has been such a positive influence. It’s actually pretty funny how we communicate because he only speaks Spanish and I don’t speak much Spanish! But somehow we have been able to understand each other, and he is an incredible coach! He has been instrumental in helping me with my confidence in singing in Spanish. And he is the reason I studied classical voice. When I was younger, he also showed me a book called The Secret that really changed my perspective on things and made me believe in the power of positive thinking and perseverance.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Ariel: When I released my first album, I was fifteen and it was the first time I had truly been surrounded by incredibly talented Grammy-nominated musicians. I cowrote my first album with the Latin Grammy-nominated producer Juan Vicente Zambrano in English and Spanish. Growing up in Miami, I have always been surrounded by the Latin culture, and I absolutely love Latin music. From the unique instrumentation to the fun rhythms to the way it makes you feel, there is so much color and beauty in it that I’ve always appreciated. I also happen to really enjoy the challenge of singing in other languages, and Spanish is such a beautiful language! Releasing my first album was super cool because I worked with incredibly talented people and had amazing opportunities like singing for the Latin Grammy Street Party in NYC and attending the Latin Grammys.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Somebody Loves You.” What inspired the song?
Ariel: “Somebody Loves You” is a pop ballad that I hope uplifts people and takes them back to a better place mentally. I hope it reminds people who listen that no matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’re going through, somebody loves you. It has been a difficult time for everyone, and I know people are going through a lot just being in quarantine and not interacting with as many people as usual. A lot of times, we overlook mental health issues, and right now many people are depressed and are having a hard time accepting this crazy new reality that we’re in.

I wrote “Somebody Loves You” when I was going through a tough time. I felt very overwhelmed and I thought to myself, “What is one thing someone could possibly say to me in this moment to help me feel better?” And it was that somebody loved me and somebody cared. Because at the end of the day, being there for people you love and knowing people are there for you is what matters. I hope when people listen to the song or watch the music video, they feel a little less alone and a little more loved. I also am really grateful to have partnered with the United Way of Miami-Dade to raise money for their Miami Pandemic Response Fund. I’ve always loved giving my time to worthy causes, and now is a time that I believe we all need to come together and make a difference in the lives of others.

PC: The music video finds you going down memory lane and features clips of you as a little girl. If you could tell your younger self one thing now, what would it be and why?
Ariel: Wow! Great question! If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would probably be to stop being so afraid of what others will think. Be who you are and stay true to yourself. In this industry, it’s really easy to let other people’s judgments and criticisms cloud your head, and it’s important to know who you are and stick with what you believe in.

PC: Of all the music that you’ve released, if you had to pick one song that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Ariel: Definitely my newest song! I put my all into it and I felt really vulnerable writing it. I know that other people have gone through the same feelings and I wanted to help others, especially now with this pandemic where people are dealing with a lot of uncertainty. I thought that maybe my song could remind people of the good that they have and the people in their lives who they love and who love them.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the year hold for you? Can we expect some more music?
Ariel: Yes! Absolutely! I’ll be releasing more music in the fall.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Ariel: Buena Vista Social Club! They’re an incredible group of Cuban musicians, and I absolutely love their music.

PC: First album you bought?
Ariel: I can’t remember the first album, but there were a few I regularly listened to when I was younger by the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, and Ricky Martin!

PC: First concert you attended?
Ariel: When I was six years old, for my kindergarten graduation, my parents bought me tickets to my first concert to see Ricky Martin. I was so excited because he was one of my favorite artists growing up. And now it’s really cool because I get to work with a lot of the musicians who have toured with him!

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Ariel: The Ricky Martin album titled Ricky Martin! [laughs] I was a huge fan—and still am! It is the album that featured “The Cup of Life,” which was the official song of the 1998 World Cup in France. I would listen to that album on repeat, and it was the first time I really realized that I loved Latin music.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform?
Ariel: I’ve always wanted to perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on my own float! I’ve performed there before but with Camp Broadway in the opening number when I was twelve. It was an incredible experience, and since I was so influenced by watching that parade growing up, I would love the opportunity to sing on my own float one day!

To keep up with Ariel, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream “Somebody Loves You” today.