Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Olivia Sabates

Olivia Sabates is an artist whose vocals don’t just shine—her songs themselves do too. From ballads to show-stopping pop anthems, Olivia’s musical range makes her a star on the rise.

Working with Grammy-winning songwriters like Diane Warren, who has worked with Beyoncé and Celine Dion, and legendary producers like Jo Blaq, who has worked with Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, Olivia is one to watch. Her new single “Tengo” is a nod to her Cuban heritage—and a song you’ll be playing again and again.

We talked with Olivia about her career, “Tengo,” and what’s ahead.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Olivia: I grew up in Kansas City, and there wasn’t a lot of opportunity for pop music. I started where a lot of children started, which was musical theater. I did a lot of local theater. But even before that, I went to an Episcopalian school. I had a chaplain that I got really close with, and I started singing in preschool. “You Are My Sunshine” was my go-to song.

My teachers asked my parents, “Have you heard Olivia sing?” They said no. They said, “You need to hear her sing. She’s good.” So my chaplain ended up hearing me sing and she started having me perform in front of my whole school.

That’s when I first developed my passion. There was no stopping once my parents knew how much I loved to sing. They enrolled me in all the musical theater, and from there it kind of spiraled.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Olivia: That’s a really good question because every individual person has contributed something to my life and my career. It’s cliché to say, but my parents. They didn’t have any experience within the music industry. They knew that this was my passion. It’s what I love to do, and they believed in me and supported me all the way.

I also can attribute a lot of my music career to a lot of the people that I went to high school with. My choir director was a huge influence on me. He conveyed that music is like a love language. You could see it in his face and how he taught that he felt the same way that music makes me feel.

So there have been a lot of influential figures in my life, but my parents, my choir director, and I would say everybody who encouraged me so far has really been a big part of my career.

PC: You’ve had a lot of career highlights already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Olivia: There are two in particular. I was seven years old and my mom told me that she wasn’t sure when I got this part if it would be the right direction because I was seven years old. My mom knew she was going to have to read lines with me and this was going to be in front of thousands of people in front of a really big theater called Theater in the Park in Kansas City. She was like, “Can you do this?” That led me into my music career.

And then when I was ten years old, the Kansas City Symphony asked me to perform a duet with an opera singer from New York for the Christmas Pop Kansas City edition. I got to perform as a ten-year-old with this famous opera singer. That was an incredible event that made me step back and think that this could be real for me.

PC: Tell us about “Tengo” and the inspiration behind the song.
Olivia: “Tengo” is like a Spanglish very fun pop song. I’ve always loved those Spanish elements in music. It’s always a real treat for me. I’ve always paid more attention to that part of my heritage. But when “Tengo” was presented to me, I didn’t know what direction I wanted to take.

The two people that worked with me on “Tengo” were Trey and Celeste. We got into the studio and we wrote the second verse in Spanish and we added some harmonies, some ad-libs, and some Spanish guitar by this super-talented guitarist. It was a labor of love for the team.

PC: “Tengo” follows your last single, “Intoxicated,” which did incredibly well. Did that add any pressure moving forward?
Olivia: No, not necessarily. I think like everything else, you’re going to have your highs and you’re going to have your lows. That’s just how life works. I think it’s just making sure that you have to take those in strides, and be really happy, proud of the successes, and knowing that not everything is going to be as wonderful as the last single or the last video. Knowing that it’s always an upward stride. I think what’s amazing about my recent songs is that all of them have pieces of what I want to share.

“Intoxicated” was about moving out to LA. It was about my friends and family back home. That was a part of me that I wanted to express to those who are in that transition—maybe it’s going to a new school or getting a new job.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: First album you bought?
Olivia: Great question. It was definitely Kelly Clarkson. My cousin Jenna and I jammed out to Kelly Clarkson in the car when we were little. “Since U Been Gone” was an anthem.

PC: First concert you attended?
Olivia: The Hannah Montana concert. I went with my best friend, and we were so close to the stage. It’s such a good memory.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Olivia: My music taste varies. I really love Celine Dion, Selena, Ariana Grande, but honestly, I love the Dangerous Woman album. Ariana Grande has the most beautiful voice ever. Her songs are so sassy, and they’re definitely songs you can sing over and over again and never get tired of.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Olivia: That’s a really great question. Madison Square Garden. Because I grew up in Kansas City, I used to go to Ariana Grande concerts at Sprint Center. I would love to perform there.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Olivia: A hype woman!

To keep up with Olivia, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify.