With 2015 almost over, it's no surprise to see new artists coming out of the woodworks. It's been no different in the case of 17 year old Anaísz, who after auditioning for Nevaeh Martinez, broke out into the music world out of nowhere. Her current single, "Better Days" has already successfully reached number one on the digital charts and topped airplay lists respectively. This would send most new artists into a frenzy but the singer has managed to keep her cool as well as stay humble about what she's achieved so far.

Currently, the singer is working on her debut EP but she also finds time to be the teenager she is, without all the glitz and glam. She reflects on how she got where she is today by perseverance and talks about what she likes to do during her free time away from music. Seventeen sat down with Anaísz for her first ever interview.




17: How does it feel to have a number one single already?

A: I feel incredibly blessed! honestly, I know a lot people say this, but I didn't think it would do so well. It was literally discussed as a promo single to get everyone warmed up to the actual single and then it just took off like I never expected. I didn't even know I had fans, to be honest. (Laughs).

17: Do you think this will put even more pressure for your upcoming music?

A: Honestly, I don't care. I'm releasing music to please myself and my fans. Not exactly to please critics or negative people. I won't lie, I take the criticism into consideration and if I feel like I could've done better then I will, but I put myself first always. I'm sure people will expect me to top every chart now and if I don't, I'm a failure but I don't see it like that.

17: You said "Better Days" wasn't originally planned as the first single, and was also considered a promo single until the actual single. What was the actual single like and when will we hear it?

A: Yeah, "Better Days" was never meant to be released first but then we decided to test the waters and see if there was like a demand for that type of pop music. The original single, which we've decided to release as the next single, is actually more upbeat and combines my love of Pop and Hip Hop. BUT, I'm going to focus on my current single now. I'm just so excited to share everything I've been working on so far.

17: What can listeners expect from your EP?

A: It's got a variety but focuses mainly on Pop. I, like I intend on doing with all my music, like to infuse my roots into whatever I make so I like to add maybe a little rapping, a little latin flavor, a little bit of me so it's MY song and not just a song you hear. If I don't rap then I'll ad something that makes the song affiliated with me. You can expect some good music (Laughs).

17: For your currently single, you got to work with NOVA. How was that?

A: We didn't actually meet, we just sort of emailed back and forth for the song. She seems awesome and cool. I'm a fan of her music too and she did a great job with helping me so she's a friend if she wants to be.

17: You said last week that you were going to the Fall Festival. Who are you looking forward to see the most?

A: Definitely Synco! I love them. I also can't wait to see Kato and The Stat Nerds, Kim from Star Factory, like I can't wait to just go see everyone. I love music concerts and festivals.

17: Do you see yourself performing on that stage one day?

A: I do! Hopefully next year. Maybe I'll be huge by then and can get a time slot. Who knows?

17: You said before that you like to incorporate your own style into your music, do you feel as if there aren't enough latin artists representing in the mainstream music scene?

A: I think there's a lack of them but most of them are doing their own thing and killing it elsewhere. I definitely want to be one of them that can breakout here. I think Latin music is so underrated and under appreciated. It's my favorite type of music to listen to. So I definitely want to make sure people know that I'm proud of my Latin roots and I'm not going to turn away from them. I'm not saying every Latin American person needs to shout they are "Latin and Proud!" every day but I'd like to see it being represented more, especially by people who are very influential. It's definitely not something to be ashamed of.

17: So when you're not in the studio (which seems rare), what do you like to do for fun?

A: I love sports, soccer, basketball, football, I'm a sportsy girl. I love eating, like I LOVE eating so I'm always in the kitchen with my mama or siblings. Without music, I'm pretty much I guess "lazy" like I love chilling. I love parties too but I'm always down for a "netflix and chill" type of night. I actually just finished binge watching "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and "Orange Is the New Black" so I'm pretty serious about my chill time. And I'm secretly addicted to online shopping.

17: The "Better Days" video is being released on Halloween, what can we expect?

A: It's going to be almost like an introduction to who I am so it was shot in my hometown and I included all my friends in it. I guess it's the life before my dreams of making it. You'll see me in my natural habitat (Laughs). Just having fun and stuff. I will admit, it's not all fancy or whatever but it's real.

17: Your friend and label mate, Carmen Vilo, has also had a pretty successful year and she's been very supportive of you on social media. Do you think you two are the next generation of stars?

A: That sounds amazing, I hope so. (Laughs). Carmen and I have known each other growing up so there's a lot of love there. She's one of my best friends and probably my only friend in the industry right now besides Lexi, who I know is also interested in doing music. She's been a great friend and supportive for sure just like I've been with her. We know that it can be cutthroat and people are always pitted against each other or trying to shade everyone but we'd rather just be friends through it all. You need a good support system and we just have no interest in the drama. You don't have a lot of women supporting each other out there, which is a shame, and then when you do, people try to turn it into a bad thing. It's like, "We're trying to support each other, why is suddenly 'Such and such is kissing ass!' No it's called support. People have lost sight of what it means to support someone without making it a bad thing. I just don't deal with the drama. I'm too focused right now, you know? But I feel like...there's a new generation of stars that's coming so the world should prepare. I'm not saying the other legends are out but we're definitely going to make names for ourselves.