Samantha LaPorta just had her song “Own The Night “debut in the top 30 Chart of Radio Disney and we were lucky enough to be able to talk to her about her career. Not only that, but she put together a special video just for us that you can find at the end of the piece giving us a behind the scenes look at a day in the life. Samantha LaPorta has a great voice and a fun outlook on her career and we enjoyed speaking with her.
BSCKids: Samantha, tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into music?
I’ve always loved music and they way it makes people feel good. When I was 10, I started singing and playing my guitar at the Ronald McDonald House and Children’s hospitals at Christmas time and it grew from there.
BSCKids: How do you find inspiration to write your songs? Do you have a special place you like to write?
Samantha LaPorta: Inspiration can happen anywhere, I record my ideas on my phone. The ones I like best are recorded in my home studio and then the finished product is recorded in LA.
BSCKids: How did you decide to write a holiday song? How did it feel when your song got picked up to be played on Radio Disney?
Samantha LaPorta: Christmas songs are my favorite, I was writing with Maria Christensen. She wrote a JLo song “Waiting For Tonight”
and Maria wrote “Santa’s Back In Business.” I loved it so much she let me record it and Radio Disney has played it for the last 2 years, which is pretty cool.
BSCKids: What has been your favorite event you have gotten to attend and tell us about who you have met that you were super excited about?
Samantha LaPorta: Being invited to walk the Red Carpet at The Radio Disney Music Awards is definitely my favorite. I met so many singers and actors, but the best was meeting Raven Simone. I loved watching “That’s So Raven” when I was a kid, while we took pictures together I kept hearing the theme song in my head. That entire day was so magical.
BSCKids: What has been your favorite venue to perform at and where is your dream venue that you really want to perform at that you haven’t yet?
Samantha LaPorta: Vinyl Music Hall is our local venue where bands and artist on tour, stop by and play. When they asked me to be the featured artist for the Paul Mitchell Event I was so thrilled, it’s was a huge event for Anti-Bullying. The Mayor of Pensacola attended and I debuted “It’s a Girl Thing”, which is an empowering song with a positive message.
Dream Venue to perform at Madison Square Garden
BSCKids: What other hobbies do you have outside of music?
Samantha LaPorta: When I’m not performing or traveling, I love going to the beach with my friends.
BSCKids: What other artists do you like to listen to?
Samantha LaPorta: Funny, I did an interview on Radio Disney recently and kept taking about Shawn Mendes who was there just days after me and Taylor Swift who I’m seeing this summer. I also love Camila Cabello, I would really like to do a Latin Pop song.
BSCKids: How supportive has your family been about your career?
Samantha LaPorta: Super supportive, my parents travel with me and sometimes carry and set up my equipment for shows. It’s important to have your family with you and you can always count on them to tell you the truth.
BSCKids: What has been your favorite interaction with a fan?
Samantha LaPorta: I sang for some kids this past Christmas. One little girl was so excited because she was leaving the hospital and going home for Christmas, we sang lots of songs together and at the end Ronald McDonald House surprised her with a bike, that was awesome.
I like to pick a few Charities each year in my community Ronald McDonald House is my favorite because I like to meet the families and make the kids laugh. The Paul Mitchell – Vibe event was amazing as well, such a great cause supporting Anti-Bullying. I’ve been auctioned off at an Autism Gala, performed for Hospice and American Cancer society, anywhere where I can entertain people, I love seeing them sing along and being happy, it’s all good.
BSCKids: If you had to pick your favorite social media post that you have posted which one would it be and why?
Samantha LaPorta: I was just leaving a TV interview and in the car with my mom when the intro to my song came on the radio, we both started screaming it was the first time I had ever heard my song on the radio. It was so emotional I started crying and Radio Disney saw the post and shared it .
BSCKids: Tell us one thing we would be surprised to find out about you?
Samantha LaPorta: I guess I have a gift for memorizing lyrics, I do a two hour show every couple of weeks and have the lyrics and chords on an iPad just in case, but I don’t look at it.
BSCKids: If you could do a song with anyone (that you haven’t already worked with) who would it be and why?
Samantha LaPorta: I do have a wish list, but if I had to pick one, Shawn Mendes I think our voices would blend well and we both play guitar .
BSCKids: Where can we find you on social media?
Samantha LaPorta: my website Samanthalaporta.com has links to all my socials
BSCKids: What do you have coming soon that you can tell us about?
Samantha LaPorta: Right now I’m out promoting “Own The Night” which is playing on Radio Disney. I’ve been invited to perform at some other radio stations and then this summer I’m back in the studio working on my next song.
Special thanks to Samantha for making this all happen…take a look at the video below to get an inside look at her performance!