Guest BIO

She would always put on shows as a child…dancing around, singing, and demanding an audience. When she was in the 4th grade, she  auditioned for the Voices of Praise Gospel Choir, after telling the world, "If I can't be a soprano, then I don't want to sing!" It all started there! 

 Fast forward, a few more years... Lo continued to pursue classical music theater, where she sang, mastered the art of a capella arrangements, and vocal music theory. Her sophomore year, she even represented her school in the IMEA music competition and got raving reviews. In 2008, she sang for Disney World's Epcot Christmas celebration, in various languages.

It wasn't until she graduated college that she began pursuing modeling and fashion. She landed a televised modeling opportunity on ABC News’s Windy City Live, her first year in the modeling world! She has since partnered with Shein and Cozy Earth (which made Oprah’s Favorite Things List), to name a few. 

She's also an Indie recording artist and released her first R&B single, Half Crazy in 2019.  She's sung with Layla Frankel, one of Chicago's Jazz and Bluegrass artists. She also opened up for Jagged Edge and Avery Sunshine, singing support vocal and second lead! 

​She now has a multifaceted empire: Sweet'nLo! She writes, sings, acts, promotes, and some sweet stuff as well!

Guest Social Media Links

IG: @sweetnlo_notes 

TicTok: @sweetnlo_notes 

Voisey: @thesweetnlo_notes 

Website: www.thelaurenlo.com

LIFE GOT IN THE WAY

IG: @lgitw_podcast | FB: @lgitwpodcast

Website: https://linktr.ee/lgitw_podcast

© Life Got in the Way, 2022. All rights reserved.

Nikki C and The Lauren Lo

[00:00:17] She would always put on a show as a child, dancing around singing and demanding an audience. When she was in the fourth grade, she auditioned for the voices of praise gospel. After telling the world, if I can't be a soprano, then I don't wanna sing fast forward. A few more years, low continued to pursue classical music theater, where she sang and also mastered the art of acapella arrangements and vocal music theory.

[00:01:05] She sung with Lela Frankel, one of Chicago's jazz and bluegrass artists. She's also open for jagged edge and Avery sunshine, singing support, vocal, and second lead. She now has a multifaceted empire. Sweet and. She writes, sings, acts, promote, and more sweet stuff as well. Y'all ready to learn more about Lauren.

[00:02:09] I hello?

[00:02:34] Welcome to the show. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for having me. I appreciate it so much. All right. Thank you for, for having us and being a part of the show. We greatly appreciate it. So let's begin. Okay. So you know, this podcast. All about how life got in the way, um, sometimes of achieving our goals or we take different routes.

[00:03:13] So this is a great opportunity for us to learn a little bit about you. So before we get too deep, we would love for you to tell us a little bit about your background and where you grew up.

[00:03:35] And, um, I've always been heavily involved in the arts. Um, Music started very early for me , but it actually was preceded by some other things. So I started out in dance. Um, and then I started to take the stage, um, with musical theater. Very very young. I'd have to say probably first or second grade. Um, as far as like the [00:04:00] theater oh, wow.

[00:04:26] I wanna be a soprano. Um, and from there I'm like, okay, they're like, they, you know, you can audition as early as fourth grade. Um, and I was like, okay, I have to go to this audition. And I was like, but if I'm not a sore. I'm not singing. Like I, I said that out. Wow. Out. like, I was just so determined. That's the, uh, Capricorn.

[00:04:53] ah, Capricorns house? Yes, uh, January 8th. Okay.

[00:05:00] The Lauren Lo: Oh, the 31st, my best friend. Mm-hmm she's the 26th. So we get that. All right. Yes. that's awesome. But yeah, that's pretty much where everything started. That's where. You know, the development or I should say further development of my very charismatic self, you know, began to say, wow, I belong here and I'm not just like a witty kid.

[00:05:44] Nikki C: Okay. That's a good start. Starting young. Um, so you mentioned you, uh, you like to sing all types of songs. What were, what were some of your musical inspirations, uh, that you had growing up? Oh,

[00:06:10] Sometimes people say certain things and like that is not old school. Old school is that was like 1985. Right. That's 19. I was like, that was the eighties old school. Yeah, a little bit before that. A little bit or

[00:06:25] The Lauren Lo: so, um, lady Marade date, lady mama. Oh, yes. Um, Shakka con um, Patty LaBelle, especially.

[00:06:57] Nikki C: one of those things I wish I could have seen was [00:07:00] Luther.

[00:07:04] The Lauren Lo: been my bucket list. My thing with Luther was when Beyonce. And did the duet with him, the closer I get to that one. Oh God. I just wished that was me completely um, so I lived vicariously through her because she was there and the spotlight already, and I love her as well.

[00:07:36] Nikki C: Yes. Just that voice, that voice alone. And I was like, it's, it's like a hypnotic, like I've seen women just, I don't know who that was. Uh, I forget the name of the artist, but she was singing along with him Uhhuh it wasn't even her son, but she was just really feeling it and.

[00:08:18] Background is just amazing.

[00:08:39] Nikki C: it's common. That was so unique for, for artists of that time.

[00:09:00] The Lauren Lo: can sing like Malia Jackson. Absolutely. Absolutely.

[00:09:30] The Lauren Lo: Hmm. There are so many who have come and gone. Um, but Michael Jackson was the one where, when he left, I cried. Yes. Like I balled girl my eyes out because I just felt like he was so much more than just an artist. He was. He was just a, he [00:10:00] was a piece of art. Let's start there. Um, and the way that he would lose himself and his music and in his performance, I admired that.

[00:10:27] Nikki C: yes. Favorite. I love when he heard that song, uh, that, uh, that, uh, Flory had wrote.

[00:10:54] It was weird. I think I was riding a train one day and they, you know, they show your card and he was like, you [00:11:00] know, Michael. And I was like, what? Don Mike? No, don't know Michael, but yeah, he's from a hometown. He's a little, a little bit older than me. Just a little bit. Um, I know I, I'm not that old, but, uh but it was just, he's such an amazing talent.

[00:11:36] And he went in and he laid his track and she is just looking like she was looked like she was in awe of how he could just go in there and do it. Like it was effort effortless and then come out and it was just a hit . Yes. She was like, he was like, okay, we gonna write this, we gonna write this. And then he go in there and just kill it.

[00:12:03] The Lauren Lo: I was like,

[00:12:16] The Lauren Lo: Yeah, I was gonna say, Michael was. He was into the creative side of things, just as much as the logistics of it. Like he had high expectations. And I think as Capricorns, we can relate to that very, you know, yes. Simply definitely, but also very directly. And I'm like, yes, I love how like, critical. He was like, no, I gotta get it.

[00:13:05] Different like entrances with Michael. It just would've been. Yeah.

[00:13:27] And so they were like, come on, just be positive, just, just do it. He was like, okay, I'll do it. All right. You rolling? All right, here we go. I love to tour and everybody starts cracking. He was get into it. yes, yes. You know, you just said that and he said it with a straight face. It was so funny. And you have to have, get a chance to see that clip.

[00:14:20] What was the most challenging thing that you had to face in your journey? To becoming like a musical artist.

[00:14:48] So, um, at my youngest age, um, I was involved in all the plays and I sang and, you know, I was in all the choir performances was getting [00:15:00] solos and getting, you know, parts, but it came down to, um, this one play, we were doing grease and I think I was in seventh grade. My favorite. Yes, absolutely love grease.

[00:15:37] Mm-hmm your voice is changing your, your, your facial structure, even your vocal pitch is changing. Um, and at this point in time, I was greeted by the industry's comparison, um, features I'll call it that a comparison feature mm-hmm um, where they're looking. [00:16:00] The level of talent, but they may typecast you based on a body type.

[00:16:38] I don't remember the vernacular used, but for lack of better terms, like, I wasn't, like, I wasn't sassy enough. So, you know, And in my culture,

[00:16:56] The Lauren Lo: that's what I said. I was like, Olivia Newton, John in [00:17:00] like before she became the, but they said she

[00:17:04] Cause the way her background in singing, like what. And

[00:17:28] So,

[00:17:33] The Lauren Lo: seventh grade? What do you want me to do? So long story short. Someone else ended up, um, getting that position, um, in the play. And she was mind you seventh grade. I wasn't as curation as I am now, but I was definitely starting to, to develop curves in what they call all the right places.

[00:18:17] Um, so that was seventh grade, um, high school. I got some classical training. Um, I studied, I, I took an AP music theory class because I was destined to succeed with no, um, lack of skill. Um, I had played the piano previously, so I was familiar, but I wanted to make sure that I could compete because at that point I was like, well, if I've got the talent and I know how to be sassy now, and all these other things, there shouldn't be any, I can

[00:18:53] I can dance, you

[00:19:14] Um, so I had a different type of competition that I ran into there. Um, so when I sang it was very soulful, very enticing, engaging people always told me, oh, I get chills when you sing. And I was just like, oh my gosh, like, that's so nice of you to say like, right. I'm glad that makes you feel that way. but then.

[00:19:56] Um, so I was denied a [00:20:00] position as an assistant director, um, at my high school. And I asked why this time, I said, well, if I know how to play. I know how to site read. I sing, I'm a soprano on one as well, and I can also sing harmonies very well. Like I've been in all the plays, I've done all this stuff. Why am I not the assistant director?

[00:20:48] So grammar school, and then now high school it's like something is like pushing back, like saying like, oh, you're not good enough. Um, in college, um, [00:21:00] is where I gained my. um, I found a group in college that was awesome. And long story short. Um, I was asked to sing, um, a song by ed. And it was to welcome the new, I forget what his title was at the university.

[00:21:24] Nikki C: there. Oh my God. I did go to a big 10 too. I went to Purdue. Okay. We were your rivals, but you know,

[00:21:36] Nikki C: yeah. It's everybody's worse. So no nothing's worse. Ever. Everybody hates me.

[00:21:43] The Lauren Lo: me. I'm just playing. No, seriously. You guys are still probably weeping. Um, but yeah, so this new, um, like I said, I don't remember. He was a, if he was the president or what, but it was like one of the top executives [00:22:00] for the university and we were welcoming him.

[00:22:35] When I feel down, I sing that song. When I feel up, I sing that song. I even did an edit James, um, um, like show I collaborated with, uh, two other young ladies who are singers here in Chicago. And, uh, we did a big, you know, huge day, uh, debut live concert, um, honoring her. And it was just. [00:23:00] Um, yeah. So can we, can we hear a little just

[00:23:04] Sure. Yeah. Just a little bit, just a little bit.

[00:23:29] I heard church bells ringing.

[00:23:47] and that I love and all I could do was cry.

[00:24:19] You wanna feel good by love?

[00:24:43] Her, because I'm always feeling a lot of emotion and I'm feeling like I'm a start writing about it soon. I'm

[00:25:07] She singing and she'll sing, you know, you request the song, she'll sing it. I was like, okay, I'll got it. Yeah. So we were both in the room just going back and forth and you playing different songs. And so I thought it was really cool how you were utilizing like your social media presence, right? Mm-hmm just, you're taking something that you are really good at, which is singing.

[00:25:46] Right. So I love how you. If branded yourself, you call yourself on, um, social media. You call yourself a digital creator. What are some of the ways that you have used social media to kind of brand yourself?

[00:26:03] Nikki C: It's hard. I, I applaud you. I looked at your numbers. I was like, she's doing something right?

[00:26:15] there.

[00:26:30] Um, and we have MySpace. So if your MySpace is not popping, you were nothing.

[00:26:41] The Lauren Lo: we actually gave you HTML, AKA user friendly TikTok right now. So mm-hmm, be happy basically. Watch you. You're welcome. One shot. Right? You're welcome.

[00:27:15] I was just like, I don't wanna put all my information out there, but like a lot of people were like, Hey, if you're gonna get into this modeling industry, Like you need to start putting out stuff. And I, I was like, okay. Um, and like, that was actually how I ended up getting in, getting into mod yeah. Into modeling.

[00:28:01] And I was just like, oh, this is a joke. And I was like, this is probably a scam. I was like, people don't just reach out to you for modeling like this, how this works.

[00:28:13] The Lauren Lo: right. And I'm like, again, oh, let me look at this page. I was like, what was that?

[00:28:36] Like, I wanna use you, can you come for a shoot this day? Again, very nervous. Um, but I went and it was actually a legit, um, young, black entrepreneur. Um, she had a vintage clothing. Oh, that's cool clothing line. Um, and I ended up modeling with her for, uh, quite a few years actually. And I started to post pictures with.

[00:29:03] Nikki C: she's beautiful. Like what

[00:29:11] And that was when I was like 12. Um, and I was like, and then I was like, no, this is not her. This is the Sandy version of me. Like, Ew, no, I don't now

[00:29:22] The Lauren Lo: I'm sassy. Look now

[00:29:29] The Lauren Lo: Um, so yeah, anyway, uh, social media has pretty much just kind of like blossomed from there.

[00:29:56] And at that time I was like less than 10 K followers [00:30:00] on Instagram. This was just a few years ago. And I'm like, well, I still want people to be able to get me into doors that I don't even know exist. Um, and I kind of had to like barter my way in because they're like, well, you look like you're doing just fine on your own.

[00:30:36] And so in the midst of this, I started modeling with some other brands and boutiques, and I did start to get more of what now the popularized social media talks about with this like influencer stuff. And so this was like 20. I don't know, 20 15, 20 16, when all this is starting to happen. Um, and people are like, re-sharing my photos and stuff.

[00:31:20] Like I'm actually a model. Like that's not. Okay. Um, so social media has been. Light and dark because that's happened quite a few times and probably more times gift curses. Cause you don't see anything. Yeah. Mm-hmm um, as far as TikTok though, TikTok got me out of my shell. I mean, granted I've taken all kinds of like, you know, uh, Vogue, like pictures, I've done a bridal shoots and I've done.

[00:32:15] but I was like, then there's TikTok. What the heck am I about to do with this? So

[00:32:28] The Lauren Lo: it's a music. It's crazy though, because some people have thousands and thousands of followers with quotes, with music behind it, which is like, right.

[00:32:41] The Lauren Lo: I was gonna say algorithm or a cat that you fight with, apparently that goes

[00:32:53] The Lauren Lo: I'm telling you all with any of those videos or if you just like start doing like body roles or dances, or like weird dances that [00:33:00] works

[00:33:00] So that's what we, that's what the internet, we would break the internet, trying to do some body roles on. And I was like, what is wrong with that poor child? What she doing? Yes.

[00:33:20] On one of those days where I was just like, Hey, you know, I don't care how many people are logged into my TikTok. Um, like I just really want you all to know that I'm not here for clout. I'm not here for mm-hmm. just the, the bragging rights. Like I actually. Want to be able to talk to and get to know people make genuine connections.

[00:34:03] And I have, I think like 74. Hundred TikTok followers. Now I started out like everybody else at zero. And then it just started to like, you know, be kind of this random pickup then I wasn't sure if I was going the right route with, with TikTok. Cause I started doing like silly videos and then it was like a couple dance videos and I was like, can TikTok be this eclectic for me?

[00:34:36] Nikki C: Like, yeah, it has, it has, you got Instagram lives. You it's just so many things that you can do now. I that's. One of the things that drew us into your, um, TikTok is that you had such a genuine presence because there are some people they'll get on TikTok and they won't really interact with you.

[00:35:15] What is happening here? Yeah. But you had interactions and to take some time and to play someone's favorite song and sing it along with it. I thought that was dope. And I thought that you. Gave an authenticity that is needed, especially when we were going through like the pandemic and, and, and times where we were all in the house and being able, just to connect with people around the world was so helpful and beneficial.

[00:36:05] yes. I need to get off this rock way too deep. About a lot overs. Overs share. Yes. Oh, oh my goodness. I don't know. Sometimes that's some weird thing, but there's, there's something for everyone on TikTok. I, this is, I don't even know how to explain this, but I, I got caught up in a TikTok video where this guy, he gets a roll of quarters and he looks at the date and based on the date is how much that quarter could be worth if you return it in.

[00:36:54] The Lauren Lo: craziest part about this Nicky is that I actually have a quarter collection.[00:37:00]

[00:37:24] And then my mom had one of those different dates and stuff. Mm-hmm too like, yeah. I have to admit I'm a very much a nerd at heart and quarters are a. Yes,

[00:37:46] And I was like, I just need to find out what can I do? Mm-hmm mm-hmm if I figure that out, I just need to take that to figure it out. because people will watch cause they will watch they're into it too. They will they're [00:38:00] into it too. So, and you don't have to re ratchet. You don't have to, I mean, you can have a little ratchet.

[00:38:18] The Lauren Lo: D. The pranks get serious when people start to swing at you mm-hmm like you should probably stop

[00:38:53] I love that you are not just a singer. You're a dancer. You are, you have. Body positive [00:39:00] influencer because of the, the type of modeling that you do, body positive. And it just, so all of these really cool things, you love theater and I love theater, so I am always connected to anybody. Who's a theater. Yes, I'm a writer.

[00:39:32] And it was an all black cast when I was in high. When I was in elementary school was a high school kids and I fell in love with theater, uh, at an early age. But yeah, so you're like this, uh, Jack of all trades. So what type of art form or craft, since you've done all these different things, content creation, modeling, singing, what would you want to, as an art form, learn more about and tap into a little bit more.

[00:40:24] Yes. Um, so I always tell my student. Um, because they always yell at me once they get to know me, like for mm-hmm, the different pieces that I am. They're like, why are you here? Why are you teaching? Like, you should be outting. You should be out modeling. You should be out dancing. Like they literally, like, they read me my rights every year that they get to know me.

[00:41:23] Reconnection I've had in a while. And it just like put the fire under my butt to like, get back to what I truly love, because I'm like, she's still kicking and she's someone who started this ball. Rolling. 20 something years ago for me by giving me what she knew and what she loved. And she played all the, the songs for the musicals I was in.

[00:42:08] And I would, I auditioned and I got a role for that because of those two women in my life. And of course my parents for allowing me to do it. Um, and I always felt like, no matter what I do, I can always learn because I'm open to. And so I was like, huh, I've got some space to brush up on piano. I want to, uh, take vocal lessons again to make sure that I haven't forgotten technique, even though I've been classically trained.

[00:43:00] And I have seen it become damaged and lost. Um,

[00:43:09] The Lauren Lo: God. Uh, the strain, like you can see when people are straining to, to speak and sing and you know, that they've had like a monumental voice and I'm just like, oh my God, it break. It's literally like breaking my heart to see people like that.

[00:43:55] Um, okay. I'll give a teaser. I already started writing a book [00:44:00] and I want to again, make sure. All of the things that I have for that are going to equate to what I want to be my published work, my second published work. So you're, I'm excited

[00:44:21] Oh, I love that you're in education. Cause I'm an educa education too. I feel like we have like this, this parallel line. yes. It's like half record minus. Yeah. Minus the singing part. I mean, I can carry a tune, but I can't sing, but you know, that's okay.

[00:44:39] They still allow it. So thank you. Thank you. You're

[00:45:03] The Lauren Lo: Hmm. the biggest personality trait someone needs for the world of entertainment. I believe that they need to

[00:45:21] Nikki C: Mm.

[00:45:46] And so I chose the word grounded because in order to be grounded, you have to understand why. you're doing what it is you're doing. And I [00:46:00] sing because it brings me joy. It brings me completeness. It brings me peace on the roughest day. I'll have, I might be balling my eyes out and I will sing, throw my tears to make myself feel better.

[00:46:42] Yeah. If you're doing it because you want people to see your talent and you want people to love and like what it is you're doing. also know that those same people can be the people who tear you down in the same breath that they put your record on a top 10 or no board at [00:47:00] all. Right. And remembering just who you are.

[00:47:24] Absolutely. You know, like, you know, like I think when I think of Lizzo, I think. Confident cuz she knows who she is. She loves to do her thing. You can agree with her. You can disagree. Yeah. Maybe she goes too far. Sometimes maybe she, but it's, it's, you know, I feel like there's a genuine her and she's just doing her and she's loving what she does.

[00:48:03] But if you're not in it for the passion, why are you doing it? And it reminded me of, um, I just watched. Uh, I forget the name of the show, but, uh, Samuel it's where the, a, the actors kind of interview each other and Samuel Jackson was interviewing Viola Davis. Oh. And he talked about, you know, cuz for years he was, he had addiction mm-hmm and he was saying that he acted.

[00:48:43] And I mean, he's done a lot of cool things, but, uh, when he was. To fight his addiction to keep sober, stay sober. Mm-hmm he was doing acting. And he's talking about the theater and how important it was. He was like, it's different from when you're just doing a scene. Absolutely. Here [00:49:00] and there. When you have to act throughout the entire play or the entire perform, it's really stretching you in your craft.

[00:49:27] That's fine. But just know if that's all you're trying to get out of it, then that may be all you get out of it, you know, literally. Um, yeah. So, but it is just so amazing how. People can just have such an impact on us, like your, like the women that you mentioned, uh, they had such a pivoting role and I'm so glad you got to, it's always good when you get to see them again.

[00:50:16] Now she's showing the fourth graders like, Hey, look, this was one of my students. And now they're a writer. One day you could grow up and be a writer. And I was like, you

[00:50:47] The Lauren Lo: So, um, the art of giving back, um, I have this joke.

[00:51:09] Nikki C: You, we just know, we know,

[00:51:23] Nikki C: Um, go watch Abbi elementary. This a taste. I

[00:51:44] I, I teach 11th right now. Chris. Chris? Yes,

[00:51:53] The Lauren Lo: Yes. I've done pretty much every level, but I think I'm like gonna coast it on [00:52:00] out the final wave here because yeah. Whew. Um, . But I think that my dedication in that field has been a way that I give back, um, four years ago at my same school that I mentioned to you.

[00:52:52] And I was really hard on them, but I remembered what it was like being that fourth grader who wanted to be a soprano and how my [00:53:00] directors and. You know everyone, how they were so strict and they were like, this is a privilege for you to be able to sing and be heard. People can walk away. They don't have to listen to you, but when people come to hear you, they wanna hear something that is like, well, thought out, well put together.

[00:53:45] You need to be able to grow it, watch it grow, take from it, feed people can feed from that. Eventually I'm planting a legacy of knowledge for you so that you understand why it's important for us not to keep [00:54:00] everything for ourselves, but to. um, all right. And that's more of my conversation with them about why I've been doing what I've been doing on top of just paychecks, because you know, all teachers most

[00:54:16] Yeah. Lemme tell you if I was in it for the money, I would not be here. I was, the

[00:54:24] Nikki C: equally. It's not, it's not adding up. It's

[00:54:34] Nikki C: Genre. We may have to have another episode.

[00:54:39] The Lauren Lo: that. I would love that because I'm telling you we could, we could have a good time with, with a lot of stuff with that. Um, mm-hmm I can guarantee

[00:54:56] Thank you. I have a little lightning round of, uh, questions [00:55:00] that I use ask like two or three and, um, All right. So let me see what is my first one. All right, so drum roll please. Okay. That's not a drum roll. Okay. Now I'm I'm gonna give it . What three? What, what are three of your favorite songs? Ooh.

[00:55:24] Signs by Beyonce. Okay. Okay. Um, flame Bob label.

[00:55:37] The Lauren Lo: actually let me see. No, I'll take that back. I think it's called talk about love, but I think in parenthesis, it is called flame. Don't quote me mm-hmm um, third one. Ooh, Ooh, Ooh. Ooh, this one's hard. Um,

[00:55:57] Nikki C: Okay. Okay. Love it. Love it. Love it. Yes. [00:56:00] All right. Okay. If you could tell your younger self something important about the future,

[00:56:21] Nikki C: Right. And sometimes that's like, I tell my future

[00:56:34] Um, but again, that's something I tell my students as well. So it's like just trust the process. Life is literally a process with no end date. No return to sender. It's just literally a go with, go with the flow, um, and see where it lands. So just trust it.

[00:56:57] The Lauren Lo: Ooh, my biggest pet [00:57:00] peeve.

[00:57:27] Like why is there a wet towel on the floor? Like just sitting there waiting for me to find it. Not like you ever came back to get it. Yeah, I'll just say Wes house. Okay. Being less randomly short . Now we have to have a pet peeve

[00:57:48] especially the Capricorn edition.

[00:57:55] Nikki C: All right. Well, thank you so much for, um, joining [00:58:00] us. It's been a pleasure. And if listeners want to get more information about you, where can they go?

[00:58:14] you can always connect me on the socials. Um, Sweet the letter in low, just to know. Okay. Um, notes and don't forget the underscore. So sweet and low underscore notes, um, on all of the socials. Um, you can also connect with me directly@thelaurenlow.com. That is the, um, the brand's website. And you can also shop with me there too.

[00:58:46] Nikki C: awesome. You guys, you, you have a great time, especially on TikTok. She's so much fun. so you've heard it from Lowe herself. Um, just thanks again. Thank you. Thanks everyone for joining us.[00:59:00]