Today, the Capital Pride Allliance and HOT 99.5 announced Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter, Alessia Cara will headline the 2018 Capital Pride Concert in Washington, D.C.
It’s been a fast ride in a short time for Alessia Cara, from her first smash single “Here” in 2015 to her Grammy win for Best New Artist this year. The 21-year-old from Ontario, Canada, released her studio debut album, Know- It-All in 2015, with its single, “Scars to Your Beautiful,” a powerful take on female identity and body image, reaching number 8 on the Canadian Albums Chart and number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. Cara has partnered with the nonprofit organization, I AM THAT GIRL, a national initiative to empower young women that aims to bring women together in a community of self-love; “Scars to Your Beautiful” serves as IATG’s anthem.
“As an unknown, I didn’t know what to expect. All I had to go on was A) my gut instinct and B) how I wanted to be represented,” she explains. “‘Here’ showed my perspective and personality and I was comfortable with the song speaking for me. I would rather completely fail and be myself than succeed and be someone I hate. The album title was tongue-in-cheek. Just my stubborn self speaking on what I presume to know about the world; that doesn’t necessarily make it true. So I never thought so many different people, of all ages and backgrounds and situations, would relate to my music.”
Relate they have. Cara recounts that a listener approached her at a radio station meet-and-greet and confided in her that she, the listener, would be coming out of the closet. Further, it was Cara’s music that had given her the courage to embrace her true self. This girl had yet to share the news even with her family.
In addition to Cara’s Best New Artist Award, Cara was also a 2018 Grammy nominee for Song of the Year and Best Music video for “1-800-273-8255” with Logic and Khalid. Her down-to-earth style of R&B, pop, and soul, coupled with tremendous vocal abilities, enabled her rapid rise and ensures her a vast, loyal fan base.
Other Capital Pride Concert headliners will also include Troye Sivan and MAX. Troye Sivan began his career as a YouTube personality, gaining fame singing and appearing in talent competitions in his native country, Australia. MAX is the New York City born pop and soul singer, actor, model, and dancer whose debut album, NWL, was introduced in 2015 following success in film and on television, notably Nickelodeon’s TV series, How to Rock.
“The Capital Pride Alliance is very excited to announce over forty performances, on three stages, including our headliners for the 2018 Pride Concert. Each performer brings their unique elements and attributes to the kaleidoscope of our community, embracing race, sexuality, gender, spirituality, beliefs, goals, music styles and exceptional talents among many others,” said Ryan Bos, Capital Pride Alliance Executive Director. “The 2018 Pride theme, ’Elements of Us,’ celebrates the diversity of what makes up our strong community. The Concert and Festival performers embody these many elements.”
The Capital Pride Concert will be held on Sunday, June 10 on America’s Main Street, Pennsylvania Ave. at 3rd St., simultaneously with the Capital Pride Festival presented by Live! Casino & Hotel. For more information, visit www.capitalpride.org.
