The Star Scoop: A lot of people know you from YouTube! What was your thought process when you first decided to start posting?
Alyssa Bernal: I discovered how people were doing singing covers on YouTube and thought it was weird at first! But then, I saw all the good comments, and I wanted to see the feedback I would get. So I started doing the same thing. Over a period of time, I started gaining this small fan base so I kept doing it and they started requesting songs.
TSS: A lot of people have put up covers. Obviously Pharrell saw something really special in you. What do you think he saw in you?
AB: I wish we could just get inside his head and ask him! It’s hard to explain. The relationship I had with my fan base – I already had their support and the way I looked at the camera, I made it personal. It was one on one. [He] didn’t even discover I played guitar until a few videos later and I think that’s what really captured attention.
TSS: The first single that you have out is “Cali, Cali, Cali.” Tell us about the song.
AB: “Cali, Cali, Cali” is just about escaping…relaxing, kicking back. I’m from San Antonio and I’ve been in triple digit degree weather lately and Cali is just a great place to be right now.
TSS:What should people expect from your upcoming music?
AB: They can’t expect one genre. They listen to “Cali, Cali, Cali” and think it’s going to be this funky pop record. It’s very easy going. A mixture between Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. They should expect a naive, personal album. It’s about first love, it’s about being homesick and distance. Stuff like that. It’s definitely an album they can relate to.
TSS: You spent a lot of time covering songs. Is there anybody that you want to work with on a song?
AB: The person that pops into my mind every time someone asks me that is Jason Mraz. He was my influence. I think it’ be really cool to work with some of the other people from YouTube that have been discovered also, like Esmee [Denters]. I love watching her on YouTube. Especially because I’m kind of following in her footsteps, I think it’d be really cool to collaborate with her.
TSS: Do you have any advice for people who are interested in doing a video on YouTube and following in your footsteps?
AB: Yeah. They should definitely go for it! If they have a talent, don’t waste it. Don’t hold back. I did for a long time and I wish I did [it] a lot sooner than I actually did. Don’t pay attention to the negative stuff. I’m an emotional girl, so the negative stuff got me down for a little bit. I almost deleted my YouTube but then my mom was like, No, you have so many more positives and so much more fans and you shouldn’t go off what the haters say.
TSS: What do you want to say to everyone who has watched you?
AB: Just thank you and I really do love the songs, and I promise you’ll still have a lot in common with the lyrics. I’m a normal girl but this is all really new to me. I didn’t really start singing seriously until I was a junior in high school. Anyone can do this if you really put your mind to it!