Shontelle Says Opening For Beyonce “Changed My Life”

Shontelle and Beyonce - twitter.com/shontelle_layne

For many new artists, the first year after the release of their debut albums are filled with highlights. Getting into swanky parties, meeting some cool fellow artists, maybe flying first class for the first time.

One of the biggest highlights for Barbados-born beauty Shontelle, is getting to tour alongside one of music’s most adored superstars, and her idol, Beyonce. The 24-year-old singer, who found success with her irresistible single “T-Shirt,” opened for the Mighty B on her tour across Europe and the UK last spring.

“That changed my life,” Shontelle told Neon Limelight in a recent phone interview. “Just that feeling that you’ve been embraced by one of the biggest stars in the world, and not just her, but her entire team, that made me really feel like I’m [doing this] for a reason.

“Even when it feels like everything isn’t going the way you want, or it’s moving slow, or it’s come to a stop completely, you have an experience like touring with Beyonce and it reminds you of why you do this.”

Beyonce, who Shontelle describes as “an amazing human being,” made it a point to sit down and meet Shontelle to share some kind words. “She literally looked me in the eye and said ‘You are so beautiful. I see your videos on TV all the time… I hear your voice every night and [it's] incredible. I want you to work really hard because you’re gonna do so well.’ And I’m like ‘Beyonce is telling me this!? Are you serious right now?’”

She says touring with Beyonce was a once in a lifetime experience she made sure to pay close attention to in hopes of picking up some pointers. “I watched how she’s not afraid to experiment. She’s not afraid to try different types of music and different things, and I feel like that’s why her fanbase is so huge.

“I watched her perfectionism. She won’t even hide that. She’ll tell you ‘I am a perfectionist. You had better get this right or I will get mad.’ I watched her soundcheck, her rehearsals, hung out with all of the dancers, the stylists, and everybody has a story to tell about Beyonce.”

Being on the tour with Beyonce, she says, pushed her from just being a fan of the Grammy winning singer to “stan status.” “I can’t thank Beyonce enough. It really did change my life.”

Up next for Shontelle is a promo tour in support of her new single, “Licky,” which will lead her as-yet-untitled sophomore album, in stores spring of 2010.

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