If you’ve been wondering whatever happened to American Idol runner up JAX, wonder no more. She has officially returned to the music scene with her lead single off her Funny EP “Stars”.
For many, JAX was the underdog in the American Idol competition but she finished strong. After the American Idol season ended and she performed at her sold out NYC headlining show, JAX was ready to launch her career when life had other plans for her. Soon after the show, JAX discovered that she had been diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. “It was very unexpected,” JAX explains. “When you’re 20 years old, you have this Superman entitlement mentality, like you’re indestructible. And sometimes all it takes is God telling you it’s time to take a break for you to understand that you are most certainly not.” Since then, JAX has had her thyroid removed, completed radiation and is now back to great health ready to kickstart her career.
Her lead single “Stars” was co-written with Nash Overstreet (Britney Spears, Meghan Trainor), and it’s the perfect representation of what her year has been like. “I was in a dark place and it was really cathartic for me to be writing. I feel like “Stars” was a turning point in the writing process for everyone. It represents me getting through one of the hardest obstacles in my life.”
The single is everything she states. It’s empowering, uplifting and allows us into who JAX is. “Stars” is by far one of the best debut’s we’ve heard this fall with JAX’s unique voice and incredible lyric throughout. She may have not won American Idol but she’s won our hearts. JAX is about to blow up in a big way, and we can’t wait to watch it happen.
In honor of her health and all that she’s been through, JAX will be competing in the NYC Marathon on November 6, representing the charity Tuesday’s Children, a response and recovery program that supports youth, families and communities impacted by terrorism and traumatic loss. Fans can donate to her Crowdrise page.
After the marathon, JAX will host an after party from 5 to 8pm at Bar 9 in Manhattan, with additional proceeds going to the charity.
JAX will release her debut EP on January 27, 2017. You can preorder Funny here
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