Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiaundra Antoine.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tiaundra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My name is Tiaundra. I am an up & coming R&B singer in Houston Tx, originally from Lafayette Louisiana. Since the age of 6, I always knew that I was destined to be a star. Dressing up in my mother’s clothes and heals performing in the mirror, putting together my own performances as she would prepare dinner was my daily routines. At a very young age I joined our local community church, which is where I began to learn how to project power in my voice. School played a huge role in my craft as well. I have always been that star singer at my schools since Elementary. School is actually what broke my stage fright and build my confidence as a performer. I am so grateful for all of the teachers and principals who encouraged me, believed in me, and forced me on those stages although of my stage fright. That’s what made me the artist I am today. As I grew older, my mother started to take my vocals further then school and church. I became very active in my community and started to take my craft to another level competing in scholarship talent pageants in my state. At 15 years old I was crowned the 2007, “Miss Hal Jackson Talented Teen of Louisiana.” My tittle blessed me with the opportunity to travel the world encouraging my youth to never give up on their dreams despite how hard it may get. Being crowned Miss Hal Jackson Talented Teen of Louisiana gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent in New York City competing for the international title. It was such a beautiful experience to be a part of. Mr. Hal Jackson was a living legend with such close friends such as, Michael Jackson, Jada Pinkett, Vanessa Williams, etc. I became well known in my community and started to make more appearances at our local pageants leading contestants who are trying to make their dream a reality. Our city mayor at the time took note of my talent and invited me to sing for city events. I started to move on towards TV shows fighting for my big break. I’ve had great experiences with American Idol and The Voice Auditions. Front cover newspaper write ups and radio interviews on my audition stories. Unfortunately, I never made it to TV, but that never stopped me from continuing to turn my dreams into a reality. Sadly, my mother passed away in 2010. Leaving me empty and heartbroken. I felt helpless for a long time but understood that it’s a must I continue on making her that proud mother she always was. I have a twin brother who battled kidney failure and is now currently on dialysis who I had to be sure to be strong for when my mother passed away. It took a toll on us, but we found our way through. In 2012 I decided to focus more on my craft and moved on from my hometown to Houston Texas. I had no idea where life was taking me once I moved here to Houston Texas. I knew no one but my 1st cousin Crystal who sadly passed away in 2016 and my best friend Erica Ledet. I was clueless to where my career was taking me but I followed Gods lead and never looked back. I then started to work with Kirko Bangz and their LMG team. One of the greatest experiences that opened me up to more knowledge in the music industry. I traveled lots of places with them, recorded in top studios which started to make me a familiar face to the city. I then started to work with Houston legend, LIL Keke after being contacted to be a part of his album, “Money Don’t Sleep.” We had the pleasure of creating a classic record entitled, “Come Here Daddy” off the album available on all platforms. Lil Keke was a great industry big brother. He made it known to the city without a doubt that I am on fire and will kill the game. Right before my eyes my dreams were turning into reality. I became real focus and started to create bodies of work, music videos, singles, performing, and making my name more known across the South. I’ve had the pleasure to be featured on here in Houston, 97,9 The Box, 93.7 The Beat, 90.1 KPFT, GMT Radio, Core 94, Houston Chronicles, etc. Such great and exciting experiences with Houston medias here. Since then I have been perfecting my craft, forever creating new music, videos, covers etc. I’ve recently just been featured on Hollywood Unlocked blog with my, “No Guidance” cover music video receiving over 100,000 views. I am forever growing as an artist, building with my audience, empowering and motivating my world to never give up on themselves or their dreams. I am so grateful that as a kid I dreamed this, now as an adult I am living it! The power of never giving up can take you beyond the stars.
Has it been a smooth road?
Life itself is not a smooth road, therefore I knew that my career wouldn’t be any different. I always prepare myself for the worse, which is the only reason why I am still standing. Along the way of my journey I’ve had a ton of ups and downs, failure, immediate family deaths, personal health problems, financial scares etc. It’s a must that you have God by your side first, faith, and trust in your process. With that being said, as long as you understand that God has full control and he will never leave or forsake you, then you will be unstoppable.
I was so young and naïve when I first got into the game, I was so easily taken advantaged of and lied to which can drain your energy for your passion. I didn’t have that fierce boss lady demeanor that I have now. It all comes with growth. Entrepreneurship is never the easiest job trying to pursue, however it’s the most valuable which explains why just not any and every one can pursue it. Along the way of my journey, I have lost my mother, cousin, and grandmother due to illness. My twin brother battles kidney failure which causes me to forever worry about him taking so much time from focusing on self. He is my heartbeat. The losses took a toll on me which I became seriously lost once upon a time stuck at a standstill not knowing which way to go. Financially you can be at a high and then a low, it’s something that all must understand will past. I myself was also diagnosed with an eye disease in 2016 called Keratoconus. My life took a complete turn. I was no longer able to just to get up and go, doing the things I used to with no worries. My eye disease became a process to manage and being sure it is forever under control. However, I turn all of my obstacles in to a way that I can inspire and empower my audience. Its therapeutic for me. I never allow myself to feel sorry for myself because as bad as life kicked me in the but, somebody else out there always has it worse than me. I try to focus more on how blessed I am than never moving on from my dark past. I now help educate my community on this disease and is getting ready for my 2nd Annual Keratoconus Awareness Event/Concert taking place in Louisiana this year. I remain a light to people and strive to help those who was once in the dark like myself, see the light again. Its ok to cry, it ok to fall, its ok to fail but it’s a must we find the strength to pick ourselves back up!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a powerful R&B singer. I am more so known for my paining voice that will bring you to tears. I am so proud of how humble I remain regardless of what celebrities I have ran across and worked with along my journey. I am more so proud of how true I stayed to myself and brand throughout my process. What sets me apart from others is that I’m not easily influenced by the fake wave that makes you want to be something you’re not. Our generation has drove social media to a reckless platform that I am afraid of for my future kids to be a part of. I am a R&B singer/Entertainer, not an IG model, not a stripper etc. I’m too special to get caught up in to something that will not be here for long jeopardy taking the value away from my actual talent. I have a unique original powerful voice that is unmatched and that’s what makes me different.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I do think that Texas is a great start for business. Most definitely, the market is huge here. However, with my type of business as an entertainer, I do believe that it’s a great start to get your feet wet but it’s a must you move forward and move on! I learned a lot here; however, I am moving to Atlanta 2021 to be closer to Tyler Perry in hopes to also be a part of his films. I want to expand my art and brand in a bigger entertainment area. Atlanta is definitely the black Hollywood so I’m super excited. I can never take away what I have learned here in Houston Tx though so it is definitely a great city for business.
What were you like growing up?
FUNNN!!! Growing up I was always so bubbly, loud, outgoing and very talkative. Honestly all I do is laugh lol! I am and has always been the life of the party that everyone wants to be around. I’ve always been known as that strong friend that everyone comes to for advice which can also mean that I keep it real and can be very tough at times with my advices. I am also that one friend that will cook up some good Cajun gumbo, crawfish etouffee, etc for all my friends. They already know I can be like a mother figure. It’s crazy how my music can give this conservative womanly feel but I’m really childish in real life! hahaha
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/user/letrevia
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Tiaundra_1105
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tiaundraa
- Twitter: @tiaundra_1105
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
