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Who Is Sara Bareilles?
Sara Bareilles is a distinguished singer-songwriter and pianist celebrated for her chart-topping hit “Love Song” from the 2007 album Little Voice. This single achieved remarkable success, selling over 3 million copies and earning Bareilles two Grammy Award nominations. In 2010, she released Kaleidoscope Heart, which included the acclaimed single “King of Anything,” earning her a third Grammy nomination. In 2011, Bareilles served as a celebrity judge on the third season of The Sing-Off, although she departed before the fourth season. She subsequently released the albums Once Upon Another Time (2012) and The Blessed Unrest (2013).
Early Life
Sara Beth Bareilles, the acclaimed singer-songwriter, was born on December 7, 1979, in Eureka, California, to Paul Bareilles, an insurance adjuster and logger, and his wife, Bonnie. As the youngest of three sisters, Bareilles faced significant challenges during her childhood. Reflecting on her early years, she remarked, “I grew up a fat girl. I had to change schools at one point because the kids were so mean to me. I still often feel I just don’t want anyone to notice anything about me.” Despite her preference for being unnoticed, Bareilles harbored a profound passion for music and theater. She was actively involved in school choirs and took on the role of Audrey in her high school’s production of Little Shop of Horrors.
After completing high school, Bareilles attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where she majored in communications. More significantly, it was during her time at UCLA that she discovered her singing voice, becoming a member of an a cappella group.
Upon graduating in 2001, Bareilles chose to remain in Southern California to pursue her musical aspirations. Over the next three years, she immersed herself in the local music scene, performing at open-mic nights, securing paid gigs, and eventually taking the stage at various festivals.
“Love Song” by Sara Bareilles
In 2003, Sara Bareilles recorded her first demo, Careful Confessions, which captured the attention of Epic Records. The label signed her and began working on revamping the tracks from her debut demo while also integrating new material for her first album, Little Voice (2007).
A notable highlight of the album was the hit single “Love Song,” which was inspired by Bareilles’ frustrations with Epic and the record-making process. Reflecting on the experience, Bareilles shared, “I was just turning in material and having people not like it. It’s the first time I’d really collaborated with people and gotten their feedback on my material. I think I became quite stubborn and disenchanted with the whole idea.”
Despite these challenges, “Love Song” became a major success, contributing to the album’s rapid popularity. The soulful resonance of Bareilles’ voice and her candid lyrics about love and life resonated strongly with audiences. Supported by prominent promotion from iTunes and Rhapsody, “Love Song” sold over 3 million copies, while Little Voice ascended to the Top 10 on the charts. Bareilles’ achievements were further recognized with two Grammy Award nominations for Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance that year.
For Bareilles, the sudden surge in success and the effort involved in achieving it was at times overwhelming. She admitted, “I was so precious about every choice. I was so guarded, and I don’t know that I enjoyed it as much as I could have. There were times when I was consumed with fear and anxiety about the process: ‘Am I doing too much? Am I selling out? Do I look all right?’ All those doubts swirled in my mind. What I’m here to do is play my music, and I want to be able to enjoy the process this time.”
“King of Anything”
Following an intense two-year touring period and the release of her concert album Between the Lines: Sara Bareilles Live at the Fillmore (2008), Sara Bareilles delighted her fans with her second major label album, Kaleidoscope Heart, in 2010. The album, featuring the lead single “King of Anything,” was met with critical acclaim, mirroring the success of her debut release. “King of Anything” earned Bareilles her third Grammy nomination, this time for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
An L.A. Times reviewer noted, “The singer-songwriter’s background in university show choirs serves her well here, as she finds strength in complex vocal arrangements and dramatic set-ups, highlighting the liberating power of vocal expression.”
In 2011, Bareilles joined the third season of NBC’s popular singing competition series, The Sing-Off, as a celebrity judge. Replacing Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, Bareilles served alongside fellow judges Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men, and was hosted by Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees. She departed from the show before its fourth season.
‘Stay,’ ‘Brave’
In the spring of 2012, Sara Bareilles released her EP Once Upon Another Time, which featured the lead single “Stay.” She subsequently launched her album The Blessed Unrest in 2013, with “Brave” serving as the album’s debut single.
Broadway’s ‘Waitress’ and Tony Nod
In the spring of 2016, Sara Bareilles achieved a significant milestone in her career as she ventured into Broadway, composing the music and lyrics for the musical Waitress. This production, inspired by the 2007 film of the same name, featured a screenplay by Adrienne Shelly and starred Keri Russell. Just over a week after Waitress debuted on Broadway in late April, Bareilles received her first Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score. Additionally, she released a companion album in 2015 titled What’s Inside: Songs From Waitress.
In 2018, Bareilles expanded her repertoire by portraying Mary Magdalene in the television adaptation of Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.
Personal Life
Sara Bareilles is currently in a relationship with actor Joe Tippett, known for his role in the Broadway production of Waitress.