That old familiar song... on TikTok
Discover the timeless magic of Stella Cole as she brings classic American standards to a new generation. From TikTok sensation to Cabaret Series debut, her music offers comfort, nostalgia, and unforgettable performances.
Is Stella Cole living in the past? Considering the songs she loves to sing, we might all want to join her. We can certainly be grateful for the reminder of how great these songs are. Hear for yourself when she makes her Cabaret Series debut next month.
Cole came to fame posting her songs on TikTok, but the songs harken back to her grandparents’ generation. “Over the Rainbow,” “The Boy Next Door,” “Moon River,” “My Foolish Heart,” and American standards by artists like Judy Garland and Nat “King” Cole come from an earlier time—from artists who never knew they would go “viral.”
Growing up, Cole loved watching and singing along to classic movies like Meet Me in St. Louis and Singin’ in the Rain, but by the time she grew up and left for Northwestern University, she had stopped. At school, she double majored in international studies and theater—although she was now terrified of singing in front of people. But in one theater class, the professor suggested she turn to the wall to sing and ignore the class. She did and blew everyone away. Her classmates were astonished, and Cole’s fear was broken.
When the pandemic hit, she returned home, where her father encouraged her to keep singing. He suggested she try the very modern creation of YouTube where she was a hit. Cole also went viral on a new app called TikTok, and everything took off. She says it made sense, since many of the songs she loves were popular in the 1930s and ’40s during the Great Depression and World War II, another time of uncertainty and unpredictability.
“During the pandemic lockdown, thousands of people were sending me messages saying, ‘You don’t know how much you’ve helped me,’ and ‘your music is the one thing cheering me on right now,’” Cole said. “I hadn’t realized that music had that kind of power to help people.
“It’s amazing to think that my music can be a bit of a salve or balm for people’s stress and anxiety,” Cole said. “That’s the most gratifying thing of all, experiencing how this music can actually help people.”
Obviously, there are many people who sing the same kind of music, but Cole takes it to a new level. She has produced three albums as well as numerous singles and is getting rave reviews. Her social media following of 1.7 million (and growing) certainly helps.
“So many people of my generation aren’t familiar with these songs, and I’m excited about the opportunity to introduce this timeless music to a new audience,” she told BroadwayWorld. “These songs were written decades before I was born, yet they feel like they are about my life.”
Social media is all very well, but a singer of Cole’s caliber needs more than that. She moved to New York City and started working as a dog walker while she tried to launch her career. She eventually got a job singing with a band at a restaurant, and then another, and another, until she had a full-fledged schedule. Then she graduated to stages. The dogs had to find new friends.
After a European tour and an appearance at the renowned 54 Below in New York City, it’s safe to say that Cole has a very bright future ahead of her. And she will no doubt keep growing those social media views. What does she ultimately want?
“I’ve seen the way music, and specifically this music, can touch people’s souls,” Cole said. “That sounds [silly], but as an artist, that’s the goal.” There is no doubt she’s already there.
Get tickets to Stella Cole here.
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