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After stints on 'America’s Got Talent' and 'Celebrity Apprentice,' singer-songwriter bares her heart in debut album.

 Emily West first realized she wanted to be a singer after hearing Patsy Cline for the first time. “I started to impersonate her and entered a little pageant in Muscatine, Iowa at the Holiday Inn. I sang “Walking After Midnight” and won Little Miss Talent; I was bit by the bug.” She was 8 years old then; voice lessons, vocal academy and many, many performances later (“From car washes, to the chamber of commerce — I was IN!”), she’s still enamored with the stage and making people happy through her singing. Being a 2014 finalist on America’s Got Talent gave West national exposure; today, she premieres her album All For You as a Myspace exclusive. (Check out her duet with Cyndi Lauper, "True Colors,"  and West’s beloved cover of Sia's “Chandelier.")

Hometown: Waterloo, Iowa

Homebase: Nashville, Tennessee

Why is your album called All For You?

In the midst of making the record, I had just come off a show where I received so much support from the fans. Then I reached my goal for my Pledge Campaign in less than 24 hours. The outpour of support I received was so mind blowing and I just thought it was fitting. I guess it was a way of giving everyone a gift. So I named it All For You.

Do you remember the first song you ever wrote?

The first song I ever wrote was a song called “Recycle Your Heart.” It was about a guy who keeps breaking my heart. “My heart's not made of plastic or tin — but just like glass you went and broke it again.” My school was really into recycling and I remember thinking, “What a great twist!” So funny!

Who are your musical heroes and why do they inspire you?

I have so many. I'm mostly inspired by emotional singers like Barbra Streisand, Patsy Cline, Cyndi Lauper and Judy Garland. Anybody that can sing the song and tell the story with blood, sweat, tears, guts and truth. I have always believed these women.

How would you describe your songwriting style?

My songwriting style is always changing. Sometimes I get in the mood to write a full-blown pop song, and then there are days where I crave to write an old-fashioned Cole Porter song. I've always loved and have always chased great melodies. My philosophy has always been, “If it's ear candy, then you can pretty much say anything.” But lately, maybe because I'm growing up, I'm attracted to lyrics that tell the truth and say something real. A story that I can believe in.



You've been on numerous TV shows.  Which one was your favorite?

America’s Got Talent for sure. I've never experienced anything like that. It truly changed my life in so many ways and made me look like a true artist. One I've always tried to be — but just didn't have the fabric.

Why did you join AGT? What did you learn from the show?

I felt that it would be such a great opportunity to put myself out there nationally. It was the best decision I've ever made. AGT did such a great job at telling my story and where I was in my life. Through that, I embraced honesty and to always tell the story for how it really is. By doing that, so many people embraced me because I didn't give up. I had an open heart on that show and it's a way to continue to live.

And you were also a part of Celebrity Apprentice, right?

Celebrity Apprentice is where I met Cyndi Lauper. She took me in under her wing — even after the cameras turned off.  

Any memorable run-ins with Donald Trump?

Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet Donald Trump. But I met his son whom I called 'Jr'.

Do you like working in TV better than in music?

I love acting but my heart will always pick music first.

What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

My fans are awesome. They call themselves Westies, which is sweet. They've done so many wonderful things for me like bring me gifts after the show after driving for hours to see me.

But one of my favorites was being proposed to on stage by a fan named George. He had two boxes of rings and he proclaimed his love for me in front of an audience in New York. It was the first time I was ever proposed to. I declined, but it still felt nice to be asked.

How do you describe your music to people who haven't heard it before?

It's emotional, unboxable, honest, smart, dramatic and...true.

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