Roxroy McLean, Star Intern

K'Alee - Nathaniel Stewart

Digicel Rising Stars fourth-place finisher K'Alee said the exposure she got from the talent show has brought her from being a mere karaoke host to a singing star and she is ready to capitalise on it.

"Okay, the exposure was a pretty good one, seeing that a lot more people know me and, most importantly, I was just a karaoke host, now I'm K'Alee, fourth-place finalist of the Digicel Rising Stars, and a winner to some," said the 23-year-old, whose real name is Kaydene Anderson.

Anderson, who grew up in Waltham Park, St Andrew, moved to Portmore, St Catherine, and now resides in Woodford Park, St Andrew, was controversially eliminated. Many felt that the group SLR should have been eliminated instead.

Changed focus

However, the former Alpha Academy student said she has risen above the situation and is now focussed on building a strong music career.

"I do remember it. I didn't feel anyway because I entered with a frame of mind that a competition is only an investment and you only loose when you think like that," Anderson said.

"I like what took place, I mean everything. I got the opportunity to perform for Jamaica, every week, and I really enjoyed the Mas Camp concert. It felt good to know I was doing something I really loved," said Anderson.

Now finalising her Rising Stars album at Ballaz Productions, Dumbarton Avenue, Anderson, who belted out Alaine's Sacrifice during the competition, admits that she has received a few calls from popular artistes since her elimination, but refuses to say who.

"Well, right now I'm working on keeping my name fresh in the minds of the public. Everything is going just fine. I don't want to say it, but I promise it will be something special," she said.

No limit

Anderson, who also gave a version of R&B singer Rihana's Take A Bow, said: "I'm really not going to limit myself (musically), just going to show Jamaica how flexible K'Alee can be."

She recently performed on two school shows, organised by NCB and KLAS, last Friday and Saturday.

Anderson says she hopes next year will find her in college, studying to be a linguist and majoring in french. She has also been writing a book since last July, and says the book will be a compilation of her life experiences and her poetic skills in writing.

"I wanted to share my experiences and views on life, as far as maturity, friendship, God, and love is concerned," said Anderson, who is yet to name her book.

So, where will K'Alee be in five years?

"Oh! In five years, I'm hoping that I would have broken the boundaries that I want to break in music, especially in Jamaica, but as to how big I'll be, only God knows," she said.