We were lucky to catch up with Nia Renee Kelley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nia Renee , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I am apart of a legacy of strength, endurance, intelligence and hard workers. I would like to extend my legacy and build generational wealth, businesses and positive growth that will last a lifetime. One thing I have learned in my life span is that you can give, share and love and there will always be something said about you that is not true and it still won’t be enough. I hope to be remembered for the good things that I have given back to my family, community and the world. When my name is spoken that it will be of positivity in helping someone to excel in whatever they are wanting out of life. What comes from the heart reaches the heart and I’m so glad that God knows my heart!

Nia Renee , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started singing at a very early age in church. From there I sung at school (every level), community choirs, theatre(musicals), literally anywhere I could sing I would participate. Singing had become my personal therapy. In middle school it helped me deal with bullying. I had finally found something I could do on my own and it allowed me to connected to new people. My 9th grade year I asked my parent if I could attend the historical Little Rock
Central Hight School known for the Little Rock 9. This move was never in the plan but they agreed and my life started to change for the greater of me. I wanted to be great like the 9 students that walk the same halls in which I was now walking in. I was so inspired, there is a feeling there that is hard to explain but I felt it each time I accomplished something new. I was attending Central when I was on American Idol in 2021 and made it to the top 40 at 17years old.
When you’re doing something you feel you can do well then it doesn’t seem like hard work. People would ask my parents if they we’re making me practice and pushing me extra hard to be successful. That was never the case. I enjoyed singing, I love learning
new styles of music, I loved listening to Whitney Houston and trying to hit her amazing notes or Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples telling their stories with so much soul and grace. As a little girl I was trying to figure out how that music made me feel some type of way.
Anything great take discipline. I would get singing gigs back to back and having to learn several songs for a weekend performance, it would be a lot but I worked hard to be ready. Never wanted to disappoint.| My mother would tell me I was already walking in my calling because it brought me so much joy to be asked to travel in and out of the country to sing. From singing the National Anthem at the Washington Nationals game, to American Idol to singing opera in Bolivia. I sing Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Pop and Classical, but my brand is built around R&B for now. I’m most proud of the fact that I have a gift that I love to share. I want to learn as much as I can, so that my music can travel around the world and return to me so I can see how I made a positive affect on the universe while I’m still alive.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I initially started building my social media audience by making singing videos and sending them to every singing social media page that I could find. After that I began to make YouTube videos and perform different covers songs. Once I made it to the American Idols-platform my numbers really blew up. Since then I have written a couple of my own songs and performed videos to stay visible to my audiences. I also post about my upcoming gigs, interviews and still doing covers here and there. Maintaining and growing your social media is a job in itself, so I’m always busy.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I graduated from high school I didn’t not want to attend college, I wanted to go straight into music. I had been on national television with American Idol and had success within my state and other states so I thought I was ready to start my musical journey. The pivot came when I received a full scholarship to attend the University of Central Arkansas. Instead of having idol time in between gigs and studio time, I decided to go to college to further my knowledge in vocal performance. Many opportunities have come from this decision that has enhanced my journey even more. I am still able to work on my music but also learn new methods of improving my craft and how to protect my voice, my instrument., my gift.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: Officialniarenee
• Facebook: Officialniarenee
• Youtube: Nia Renee
• Other: TikTok Nia Renee

Image Credits
Kortomomolu.. stylist/designer Hair by Ashley Anderson Amari B Studios/ make up artist