Hello Kelly,

My name is Christina Turner and I'm 21 years old. I live in Santa Cruz, California but I was born in Russia. I immigrated here when I was 6 years old and have lived in the United States ever since. I'm writing to you because I feel that you and I aren't so different from each other. Ever since I was a little girl I've dreamed of changing the world and inspiring people with my voice. The problem with this is I have never known where to start until I recently read about the "Open Mic" nights at your concerts.
With that being said, I want to tell you a little more about myself and what I stand for. For many years, I have been criticized and beaten down for expressing who I am. Not only by my peers at school but especially by my parents.
It's hard knowing that when you come home from school, you don't actually have a "home" to go to. After all the tormenting at school, it continues when I am home. My parents never gave me the chance to pursue music because they had other "plans" for me. I felt like I was almost their puppet. They always told me that music wasn't a real career and you have to be special to get through. They also made me feel very uncomfortable about my body because I'm not the skinniest person in the world. My mother and grandmother always told me that I have to lose weight because I absolutely have to look a certain way. I was forced to go on these crazy diets and starve myself which led to some serious health issues. I battled depression for years. There were times where I just had enough and didn't know if I would live on to see college or turn 21; but my love and passion for music is the only thing that kept me going because I knew that in my heart I wasn't a "loser" or that I wasn't "good" or "pretty enough." I knew that I wasn't this picture everyone had painted of me because I knew deep down that I was unique but too scared to embrace it. But that didn't stop me from trying.
I feel in my heart that I was meant to do this. I feel I was meant to reach out to people with a similar situation with regards to family problems and bullying. That was something that effected me deeply throughout my life and I don't want anyone to endure what I went through. No one should ever feel the pain that I felt. No one should ever have to feel ashamed for who they are and express who they want to be. And so this is why I came to you. You've really inspired me in a unique way because you were the first American Idol and you used your voice to make your way to the top and have inspired so many people like me to further pursue their dreams and aspirations. My dream is to one day do the same. Music saved my life and now I want to reach out and save others.

I've sang the national anthem at football games and a stadium full of thousands of people at my high school graduation. The feeling of being on stage is where I feel most at peace. So would you please consider me for your open mic night? It would mean the world to me. I'll be at your show on Sunday, August 23rd at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. I can't wait to see you! Thank you for reading my letter and thank you for being my inspiration.

Instagram : @athena_ceetee

свернуть