SA’s Micaela Kleinsmith beams from billboards in 3 major cities across the USA
When Micaela Kleinsmith from South Africa was a child she put her picture on fake billboards, but never did she actually dream that her face would one day be emblazoned on not one, but THREE billboards in the USA! Micaela, a former SA Idols contestant, recently won a major global country music competition… and it’s […]
When Micaela Kleinsmith from South Africa was a child she put her picture on fake billboards, but never did she actually dream that her face would one day be emblazoned on not one, but THREE billboards in the USA! Micaela, a former SA Idols contestant, recently won a major global country music competition… and it’s changed her life forever!
Taking to Instagram, where she posted photos of the billboards in New York City, Los Angeles and Nashville, Micaela wrote:
“I can’t begin to describe the emotions I feel looking at these BILLBOARDS with my face on them! What is my life!?! I went from editing my picture on fake billboards for fun as a kid to actually being on THREE! In major music cities! #MyKindOfCountry, you guys really changed my life and I’m just so so grateful!”
Micaela, who began writing songs at 14, added: “I am living dreams I didn’t even know I had until now… Thank you! ❤❤?”
Micaela recently won US actress Reese Witherspoon’s new music competition, “My Kind of Country”, which has been streaming on Apple TV+. The competition featured a dozen talented singers from all over the world, including five contestants from South Africa, one from Mexico, two from India and four from the United States.
Micaela said despite there being so many SA artists in the competition “all of us were so different – the languages we speak, the cultures we come from… and we all come from one small little country on a huge continent. So, it’s very diverse in culture, and I don’t think people quite understand how diverse (South Africa) actually is.”
‘My Kind of Country’ features three well known mentors, including South African country singer Orville Peck who has lived in Canada for years. Peck, who has collaborated with Shania Twain, said when he first watched Micaela’s audition tape:
“I was almost crying… Not that it was a sad audition, but I was so touched and moved because being from South Africa, it was like, ‘Oh, I know this girl. I know exactly where she’s from.'”
SA fans of Kleinsmith were elated with the win and that now her talent can be appreciated by the whole world. Comments included: “You are everything the music industry ever needed. I don’t think there’s a single time that I haven’t cried hearing you sing ??? so glad the world is hearing you”, “Wow! Just watched the finale and could not be more excited to see what your future holds! Such a great performance and journey!” and “You are the heartbeat of the show. Everyone is moved by your openness, appreciation and that laugh!”
Peck told Billboard magazine: “Coming into the competition, (Micaela) was insecure about many things and had imposter syndrome. She is so incredibly talented and just getting to watch someone find themselves and their confidence in such a short amount of time that we did this show was really special for me to watch.”
The show began streaming in March, and is available to binge now for all proud South Africans!
Micaela said she was “honoured and excited” to have won the competition, and also urged fans to check out her new EP, Butterfly, which is now on Apple Music. Watch here:
WATCH Micaela Kleinsmith – Butterfly (on My Kind of Country)
In an Instagram post since winning the competition, Micaela said her heart is “extremely full” and “what a time to be alive!!!”.
She thanked Reese Witherspoon for “wanting to create more space for artists like me”, and Orville Peck and the others who chose her. “I’m still in shock!! I’m just so so grateful! THANK YOU ?❤”
Micaela also thanked her fellow talented artists, and her family – “You guys have been there through every single moment and I appreciate you with my whole heart! ❤❤❤?”
WATCH My Kind of Country — Official Trailer | Apple TV+
Micaela Kleinsmith on THREE billboards in the USA:
View this post on Instagram