Veronica Jean Ballestrini (born October 29, 1991) known as simply Veronica, is an American country pop singer-songwriter, musician and actress. Her self-made success story has caught national attention as Jon Caramanica wrote in the New York Times, "...When someone like Ms. Ballestrini arrives essentially unannounced and begins to attract attention, it's significant." Veronica is endorsed by World Famous Microphone manufacturer Sennheiser after winning the 2011 songwriting contest with the company. Veronica was named one of six "Artists to Watch For" by Marie Claire Magazine. As part of her ministry, Ballestrini visits Women's Correctional Facilities around the United States sharing her music with inmates. Biography: Ballestrini was born in New London, CT and raised in Waterford, CT. She comes from a large family of four brothers and one sister. Her father Rosario Ballestrini and mother Carol Marandino Ballestrini are both Italian-American Her parents took her to a Dolly Parton concert when she was eleven and this started her interest in country music. Ballestrini began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of thirteen the same year she started her MySpace music page. With only cover songs up at the time, she still managed to pick up many fans. Veronica's popularity increased after writing and composing her song "Daddy" and posting it to her MySpace playlist. At age fourteen Veronica began performing around her homestate of Connecticut at local talent contests and fairs. In November 2006 Veronica won 1st place at the USA World Showcase in Las Vegas, performing her song "Daddy". Her internet status caught the attention of many Nashville record producers, who then contacted her about recording in Music City. On her fifteenth birthday, her family surprised her with a round trip ticket to Nashville to pursue her dream. While still in high school, Ballestrini made her professional singing debut. Ballestrini created an independent label in 2009 and worked with producer Cliff Downs, with whom she has written many songs. Downs produced her debut album "What I'm All About". Music career: 2009-2010: What I'm All About: Ballestrini went on to record her debut album What I'm All About which was released on August 21, 2009 on her own independent label. Her first single "Amazing" charted on the Music Row Country chart and the music video debuted at No. 3 on CMT Pure. "Don't Say" and "Out There Somewhere" were two other singles released off this album. In the Summer of 2010 Veronica was part of the "Mead Five Star" Music Insider nationwide sweepstake along with 9 other bands. In October 2010 it was announced Veronica was the winner of the fan voted contest, scoring $25,000. Veronica's song "Destiny" is featured in the Diary of an Ex-Child Star (former Leaving Hollywood) movie and on the soundtrack. "Destiny" was also on her "What I'm All About" cd released in 2009. 2010: If I Can Dream: In April 2010, Veronica was chosen as the "Editors Pick" in the If I Can Dream MySpace contest, created by Simon Fuller. She visited the Dream House in Beverly Hills from June 4-7, 2010. Veronica returned to the Dream House on June 23, 2010. During her stay she recorded a demo for her song "Fascinated" and developed a romantic relationship with Alex Lambert. 2010-2012: Gotta Make A Change: In 2010, Veronica began working on her sophomore album, Gotta Make A Change, a process that set in motion her inspirational "Gotta Make A Change" tour. Throughout the summer 2011, Veronica performed shows at various camps, festivals, Girl Scout events and women's correctional facilities across the U.S. to help spread the project's motivational message. "Life is full of struggles. We stumble, we fall down, and in those moments we feel we will never get up again," Veronica says on the project's website. "Sometimes all it takes is one person to say or do something to help you to see life in a new perspective and inspire you to get up and make a change. Life will never be pain free, we just have to learn to embrace the pain and find strength. Ballestrini used the money she won from the MEAD Five Star contest to produce her second album which is set for release in 2012. The first single off the album is titled "Temporary Fix". The music video for this single was shot in Malibu, California. "Temporary Fix" was released on iTunes on August 11, 2011 and the music video, released on September 24, 2011, accumulated over 350,000 views within the first month of being online. In November 2011 Veronica charted on the Billboard Social 50 chart at No. 50 and No. 2 for Country artists. 2013: The Flip Side: Veronica is currently in the studio working on her sophomore album The Flip Side with producer/engineer Brandon Metcalf. On January 23, 2013, Veronica performed a live show on stageit, and sang new songs off the album, and told her fans the title. The Flip Side will be released mid-2013. While working on her album, Ballestrini spent a month on tour with Secondhand Serenade. The kick off show was in Lexington, KY on March 8 and ended in Hollywood, CA on April 9. Late April 2013, Veronica was chosen by Ford to be an agent for the Ford Fiesta movement. She received a blue 2014 Ford Fiesta for a year free all expenses covered.

Source: Wikipedia

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