Brianna Taylor

Youth, beauty, confidence and talent… Brianna Taylor is blessed with many gifts that move people to react to her in many different ways. She recently opted to share these gifts with the world in two ways – appearing on THE REAL WORLD (HOLLYWOOD) on which she is a sought after housemate and releasing her self-titled EP, which promises even greater notoriety , on Chamberlain Records.

Controversy seems to follow the 20- year-old Philadelphia native wherever she goes. This seems to be part and parcel of being honest, outspoken and unwilling to be mistreated…living on her own terms. Brianna’s adventurous nature has led her to make mistakes in her life “We are all sinners in this world,” she says. “We all make mistakes and have skeletons in our closets. If the lives of the people who judge me were broadcasted to the world, they’d be less likely to criticize.” She moves on from these mistakes without regret – they have made her into the woman she has become.

Music has always been in Brianna’s life. Her early favorites - Natalie Cole, Anita Baker, Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, Judy Garland, Lena Horne – laid the groundwork for her singing style. Christina Aguilera and Hayley Williams of Paramore are more recent faves along with another influence, one as controversial as Brianna herself. “Amy Winehouse is amazing. She delved into musical history and brought it into the modern music scene. The flair she brought into indie music is so strongly felt.”

What was most strongly felt in Brianna’s creative history was the influence of her family. Until her Grandmother married, she sang on the radio with her sisters. Her love for music never lessened and she passed it on to her granddaughter. Brianna’s mother was an actress and model, her uncle plays the drums and her sister is “an amazing dancer” according to the songstress.

For everyone in her family, the creative experience has been a cathartic, emotionally laden one. “I can forget everything and just rock out,” she says of what singing does for her. She expects that from others as well “If someone isn’t really feeling the words they are singing there is no point in listening. So few singers really make me feel the emotion of the song. I think about that and strive to do that for the listener.”

The right songs are making it possible for Brianna to reach out to fans. “Tomas Costanza and Matthew Bair’s songs really reflect what I’ve been going through. When I recorded “Summertime” I had just broken up with my ex. I missed him a lot – getting over him and moving on was really hard for me.

The relationship, however poisonous, was comfortable for me. I knew nothing else,” Brianna explains. “The song was like saying ‘oh no, now I am by myself and I really cared about you.’ ” “Tragic,” the rocker of the EP, is Brianna’s opportunity to rail against bad ex-boyfriends. “This is for the men that cheat and expect too much of their girlfriends. It’s tragic that sometimes others don’t know he is as horrible a person as he is.” Brianna’s personal favorite track on the EP is “Story of My Life.” “The song is so genuine and amazingly written. The words describe everything I have been through.”

The story of Brianna’s life has certainly some twists and turns. In her earlier years, encouragement from family was rare. As the years went by, it was equally scarce from ex-boyfriends. One of said ex-boyfriends abused Brianna and taught her an unfortunate lesson in human nature.

When a subsequent boyfriend (the one she spoke about on THE REAL WORLD) laid his hands on her, Brianna (literally) fought back. “Men seem to think its ok to restrain your girlfriend. I had every right in the world to fight back,” she explains. A result of this altercation was charges being pressed on her (which Brianna heard about once she got to the REAL WORLD house) and her being sentenced to anger management classes and probation.

Brianna’s newfound celebrity is something that is taking a bit of getting used to for her. “This is so different than the life I was used to. I am recognized on the street a lot lately,” she notes. “I am loving every minute of it though. People are nice when they approach me, saying ‘You’re so real / so honest. How is your singing career going?’ They are supportive and I love that!” This fan appreciation has bred closeness with the fans. Brianna gives her fan email lots of attention, answering as much of it as possible, personally.

Brianna has been through a considerable amount in her mere 20 years of life. She has opened up her everyday life to public scrutiny via THE REAL WORLD. Her self titled EP goes even deeper and lays her emotions bare as well. Consequences be damned – you WILL know Brianna Taylor, one way or another. Buckle up and enjoy the bumpy ride. She wouldn’t have it any other way!