When pop music starlet Kristinia DeBarge heads out on tour this week to open for Britney Spears, she’ll be toting her stuff (a lot of stuff) in a new off-brand, five-piece set of luggage she bought Friday at Macy’s Mall of America. She spent three hours at the mall (and still didn’t have time to ride the roller coaster) before performing her current hit “Goodbye” at Glamorama. Following the show, the 19-year-old daughter of ’80s singer James DeBarge, celebrated with fellow Glamorama performer Ne-Yo in the VIP lounge at the after party and chatted with us.

Q You were on Twitter five minutes before your Glamorama performance.

Continue Reading This Post…

Most teenagers daydream about several career paths in life, but 19-year-old Kristinia of the R&B clan the DeBarges says there’s only one thing she ever considered doing.

“I don’t really know anything else besides singing,” said the daughter of James DeBarge, the keyboardist of the 1980s Motown group DeBarge and ex-husband of Janet Jackson.

“I had a pretty normal life, except that my family just sang a lot. So I was always in the house and I was always hearing them on the piano or the drums or the guitar, or they were writing a song. My father always took me in the studio, with him or on tour … and after a while it just became like second nature to me,” said DeBarge (whose first name is pronounced kris-teh-NEE’-ah).

Continue Reading This Post…

She hit the scene with the single “Goodbye” and has since become the latest act to join Britney Spears for an anticipated North American tour this fall. Luckily for us, Kristinia DeBarge had a chance to sit down with Singersroom and talk about everything from summer essentials to fashion and dating just before shooting the video for her next single “Sabotage”.

Singersroom: Things are heating up this summer. What is essential for you when it comes down to staying fresh over these next few months ?

Kristinia DeBarge: I have to say deodorant, mascara and shorts.

Singersroom: In the video for “Goodbye” you sort of mixed things up style wise. Are there any designers that you keep your eye on in particular ?

Kristinia DeBarge: I’m a fan of Ellie shoes. I really love their shoes. I also like Marc Jacobs and I like a lot of simple stuff. Gucci, Prada those are just a couple names. There’s lots more that I have in my closet but, I just don’t know the names off hand.

Singersroom: When it comes to apparel, does comfort outweigh an exceptional dress or swimsuit ?

Kristinia DeBarge: I definitely would rather be comfortable but if it’s a really, really cute dress or really cute shoes I’ll just risk being comfortable and go with being cute because I love the outfit or the shoes that much.

Later on I’ll soak my feet in water or Epsom salt and that takes care of that. It’s like… “it may hurt but those shoes are hot”.

Singersroom: Let’s say you’re at a beach or pool party, what is the best way for a guy to introduce himself ?

Kristinia DeBarge: I would say you have to be casual. I’m one of those people who doesn’t really get excited right away even if I’m at a party, dinner, family gathering or barbecue. I definitely have to see you again… I wouldn’t just see you right away. If I did see you again then it’s like okay, then maybe you’d get my number.

Singersroom: On the flip side, what is an absolute turn off ?

Kristinia DeBarge: A big turn off for me is when a person has your number and is constantly texting and calling you and they’re just kind of coming on too strong. That’s a turn off for me.

US pop sensation Kristinia DeBarge has dismissed suggestions that she used her family connections to secure a record deal.

The singer’s father was a member of 1980s R&B group DeBarge, who scored a top five hit in 1985 with ‘Rhythm Of The Night’.

However, the 19-year-old singer, whose debut single ‘Goodbye’ recently cracked the US top 20, insisted that she has made her own way in the music industry.

“I always make it clear to people that I’ve gotten to where I am because of myself,” she told DS. “I’ve been working on my project for seven years now. I sacrificed not going to a normal high school - I was home-schooled for four years - because I wanted to dedicate myself completely to music.”

She also revealed that she met Babyface, the producer of her upcoming album, without an introduction from her father.

“I didn’t meet Babyface through my father. I met him on my own. I did whatever I could to meet the people I needed to meet and to get to where I am now,” she said.

“I emphasise this so much because it’s important to me that people know I worked just as hard as any other artist that’s come out and been successful.”

Kristinia DeBarge releases debut single ‘Goodbye’ on August 10.

Read DigitalSpy’s interview with Kristinia here.

Growing up as the daughter of R&B crooner James DeBarge has its advantages. Songstress Kristinia DeBarge (pronounced Kris-ti-nee-a), 19, was thrust into the entertainment world by her father while still in diapers. Now she’s making a splash with her debut single, “Goodbye,” a new-age rendition of a classic.

Running around L.A. and preparing for her upcoming East Coast tour, Kristinia chats with Rap-Up.com about snagging a meeting with Babyface on her own, collaborating with a top-tier singer-songwriter, and waving “goodbye” to romance, at least for now.

1. Had you heard the original song, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye,” before you recorded your single?
Yes, I was familiar with the original 1969 Steam version before we recorded it. I researched the song on the Internet with Babyface. He has been great to work with.

2. What has it been like growing up in a family with a musical past?
It has been a great thing for me, very positive. I have been around [music] my whole life. My father helps me to make better decisions and I know what I’m doing when I go out and do it. I produce a lot of my own vocals. It’s been a great pleasure having my dad in my life.

Continue Reading This Post…

Kristinia DeBarge stopped by Seventeen’s office to give us a sneak peek of her new single, “Goodbye.” She also talked about her five diaries, her love for archeology, and the options for her second hit!

17: What’s the concept for your “Goodbye” video?
Kristinia DeBarge: It’s young, fun, and sexy. It starts off with me and my girlfriends just being mischievous. We’re checking out whether my ex-boyfriend is home, because we’re about to steal his car. The car in the video is a 1996 convertible Mustang, and it’s red! I had to get a classic in there, since a new car is just what you’d expect. I worked out really hard to be in good shape for the video, too. My best friend is in the passenger seat with me, and everyone at the house are my friends. It gives the video more energy. And the whole thing is choreographed by Jamaica — she’s worked with Keri Hilson, Ciara, and Usher.

17: When does the album come out?
KD: It’s now coming out in the second week of July. We’re in the process of figuring out a second single. It has to be such a monster so it has a good follow-up. There’s a song called “Powerless” that I just recorded, I’m really crazy about it. There’s another song I’m absolutely crazy about called “Sabotage.” Then I haven’t recorded this song yet, but it’s called “Anti-Love,” and I’m really excited about recording that.

Continue Reading This Post…

As her uncle Chico Debarge gears up for his comeback album, 19-year-old Kristinia Debarge is preparing to introduce the world to the next generation of the Debarge family legacy with her Def Jam debut. Check out my interview with the California songbird below.

With a lineage like hers, you’d think Kristinia would be feeling some pressure as she prepares for her currently untitled album to hit stores this Summer. Instead the young singer knows how to count her blessings.

“I look at it as a bonus,” Kristinia tells SOHH Soulful. “A lot of people ask if it feels like there?s pressure there because it?s a lot to live up to. They were very successful people and they are really respected in the game to this day for songwriting and talent so I am just happy to be part of the family and looking forward to all the great things coming my way.”

Continue Reading This Post…