SHE may only be 16 years old, but Thailand-born YouTube star Chaleeda Gilbert has dreams of becoming a huge singing sensation someday.
Having received recording contract offers from music labels in Thailand where she is based, the artiste of Thai-British parentage however, has decided to sign under Malaysian recording company Rocketfuel Entertainment.
“I’ve noticed that many companies in Thailand don’t manage their artistes well.
“They may be eager to take you in as their artiste, but after that you will realise that you’ve been taken for a ride.
“They don’t encourage you to work harder or provide you with opportunities to grow,” she said at the Hatsune Miku Expo 2017’s concert press conference, at TGV 1Utama, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, recently.
On the other hand, Chaleeda said Rocketfuel had allowed her to decide the kind of music and image that she wanted.
At the same time, she hopes to be able to have her music be known outside of Thailand; and Rocketfuel has so far assisted her with her goals.
Rocketfuel first discovered Chaleeda via her YouTube channel where she uploaded her videos performing cover songs.
Her cover of Justin Bieber’s Love Yourself, for example, garnered over 1.2 million views within five days.
“I knew that a singing career is what I had wanted ever since I was 7,” said home -schooled Chaleeda, who is Rocketfuel’s first regional talent.
She started to enter many singing contests when she turned 11, and was presented with plenty of opportunities as a result. They included starring roles in three Thai drama series, and television commercials.
It did not take long for Chaleeda to enjoy the fame, but she felt like she needed to soar higher.
So, when the offer from Rocketfuel came in last June, she knew that this was her ticket to be known regionally.
Under the label, Chaleeda recently released her Thai single, Ready For Love, where its music video has amassed some 1.5 million YouTube views in a few of days.
Up next is her English single, Mind Over Matter, which will see a regional release on Oct 6.
The song is produced by Malaysia’s award-winning rapper SonaOne.
“I’m a fan of SonaOne and his music. Working with him in the studio was a blast! It’s great to be associated with someone as talented, kind and funny as him.
Next year, Chaleeda is set to embark on her first regional promotional tour.
“I have fans and followers from countries like Indonesia and the Philippines. I can’t wait to meet them!”
Meanwhile on Dec 16, Chaleeda will performing the opening act for the Hatsune Miku Expo 2017’s concert, at Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur at 8pm.
Besides Chaleeda, television host, actor, comedian and singer Zizan Razak will also open the show.