Vanessa Olivarez
Encyclopedia
Vanessa Denae Olivarez (born April 7, 1981, in Sugar Land, Texas
) is an American
singer and songwriter who is the vocalist/songwriter/autoharpist for the alt country band Granville Automatic, who has written songs for country superstars Sugarland, and appeared on the second season
of the television series American Idol
. She also had a Top 10 pop single in Canada.
and he brought Vanessa to Toronto, Canada, to write and record some new music. Her first single, the song "The One", (written by Olivarez, James Collins and Dave Pickell), with "I'm In Love With My Best Friend's Ex" as a B-Side, reached #9 on Canada's single charts & Top 30 on the Canadian BDS airplay chart. Although another of her songs, entitled "As Vain As You"(also co-written with Collins & Pickell), ended up on a "Girls Night Out 3" compilation, Olivarez did not release any albums in Canada. She did, however, star in the 7 month 2004 Toronto production of Hairspray
, in the lead role of Tracy Turnblad. It was for this role that Vanessa was nominated for a Dora Award in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role-Musical.
Olivarez co-wrote a song for Sugarland called "Sugarland", which appeared on their Enjoy the Ride
album. She also co-wrote two other Sugarland songs: "50 Cent Lovin'" and "I Won't Cry For You".
Olivarez is also a former lead singer of country act South 70.
In 2010, she co-founded the alt-country band Granville Automatic, in which she is the vocalist and a primary songwriter.
's second season with a rendition of Queen
's "Bohemian Rhapsody
" in 2002. Paula Abdul
was not present for Olivarez's audition, but both Simon Cowell
and Randy Jackson
were impressed by Olivarez and put her through to Hollywood. Olivarez impressed the judges once again during a round where contestants had to write their own songs. Olivarez wrote the song "The Only Thing Special About You Is Me". She was then placed in the top 32 contestants of the season.
Olivarez performed for the first time in front of America on February 18, 2003. She sang Irene Cara
's "Out Here on My Own". The judges were impressed, but Cowell told Olivarez that she needed to lose weight. She received encouragement from Abdul and Jackson, and was voted into the top 12 by America. Olivarez performed once again on March 11, singing The Supremes
' "You Keep Me Hangin' On
". The comments from the judges were mixed. Controversy began here when host Ryan Seacrest
interviewed Olivarez after the performance and she made a comment that many viewers thought to be somewhat rude. Seacrest later reminded viewers that Olivarez's comment was previously scripted, but many believe that this still hurt Olivarez's chances in the competition. Olivarez landed in the show's bottom three and was eliminated on March 12, 2003.
Sugar Land, Texas
Sugar Land is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area and Fort Bend County. Sugar Land is one of the most affluent and fastest-growing cities in Texas, having grown more than 158 percent in the last decade. In the time period of 2000–2007, Sugar Land also enjoyed a...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and songwriter who is the vocalist/songwriter/autoharpist for the alt country band Granville Automatic, who has written songs for country superstars Sugarland, and appeared on the second season
American Idol (Season 2)
The second season of American Idol premiered on January 21, 2003 and continued until May 21, 2003. The title of show was shortened from American Idol: The Search for a Superstar of Season 1 to just American Idol. Brian Dunkleman quit after the first season, and Seacrest therefore became the lone...
of the television series American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. She also had a Top 10 pop single in Canada.
Songwriting career
After Idol, Olivarez was contacted by Canadian songwriter/actor James CollinsJames Collins (songwriter)
James Collins is a Canadian songwriter, actor and singer.- Life and career :As a songwriter, James has co-written, with Vancouver-based songwriter Dave Pickell over 20 Top 40 hits in Canada....
and he brought Vanessa to Toronto, Canada, to write and record some new music. Her first single, the song "The One", (written by Olivarez, James Collins and Dave Pickell), with "I'm In Love With My Best Friend's Ex" as a B-Side, reached #9 on Canada's single charts & Top 30 on the Canadian BDS airplay chart. Although another of her songs, entitled "As Vain As You"(also co-written with Collins & Pickell), ended up on a "Girls Night Out 3" compilation, Olivarez did not release any albums in Canada. She did, however, star in the 7 month 2004 Toronto production of Hairspray
Hairspray (musical)
Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues...
, in the lead role of Tracy Turnblad. It was for this role that Vanessa was nominated for a Dora Award in the category of Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role-Musical.
Olivarez co-wrote a song for Sugarland called "Sugarland", which appeared on their Enjoy the Ride
Enjoy the Ride (Sugarland album)
Enjoy the Ride is the second album by the country duo Sugarland, released on November 7, 2006 on Mercury Nashville Records. The album is the first one released with Sugarland as a duo , as former member Kristen Hall had departed earlier in 2006.The album debuted at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 and...
album. She also co-wrote two other Sugarland songs: "50 Cent Lovin'" and "I Won't Cry For You".
Olivarez is also a former lead singer of country act South 70.
In 2010, she co-founded the alt-country band Granville Automatic, in which she is the vocalist and a primary songwriter.
American Idol
Olivarez auditioned for American IdolAmerican Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
's second season with a rendition of Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
's "Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1975 album A Night at the Opera...
" in 2002. Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
was not present for Olivarez's audition, but both Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
and Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
were impressed by Olivarez and put her through to Hollywood. Olivarez impressed the judges once again during a round where contestants had to write their own songs. Olivarez wrote the song "The Only Thing Special About You Is Me". She was then placed in the top 32 contestants of the season.
Olivarez performed for the first time in front of America on February 18, 2003. She sang Irene Cara
Irene Cara
Irene Cara is an American singer and actress. Cara won an Academy Award in 1984 in the category of Best Original Song for co-writing "Flashdance... What a Feeling." She is also known for her recording of the song "Fame", and she also starred in the 1980 film Fame.She married Hollywood stuntman...
's "Out Here on My Own". The judges were impressed, but Cowell told Olivarez that she needed to lose weight. She received encouragement from Abdul and Jackson, and was voted into the top 12 by America. Olivarez performed once again on March 11, singing The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
' "You Keep Me Hangin' On
You Keep Me Hangin' On
Vanilla Fudge's 1967 psychedelic/hard rock remake of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" reached #6 on the Hot 100 chart two years after the release of the Supremes' recording. While the version released on 45 RPM single was under three minutes long, the album version was extended to six minutes and...
". The comments from the judges were mixed. Controversy began here when host Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest
Ryan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
interviewed Olivarez after the performance and she made a comment that many viewers thought to be somewhat rude. Seacrest later reminded viewers that Olivarez's comment was previously scripted, but many believe that this still hurt Olivarez's chances in the competition. Olivarez landed in the show's bottom three and was eliminated on March 12, 2003.
Singles
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The One
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| Music Information |
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The One (The Remixes)
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