Alessia Cara ready to host MMVAs
POP STAR PUTS ASIDE NERVES
Alessia Cara is trying to shake off her jitters over co-hosting today’s iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards. The pintsized pop star from Brampton, Ont., often gets nervous about singing, but presiding over a live TV awards show is entirely new territory.
“I’m preparing myself for misreading something at some point,” the “Scars to Your Beautiful” performer admits.
“It’s a whole other thing to entertain an entire crowd for the whole show and just be vibrant and not mess up.”
Luckily she’ll be backed up by co-host Joe Jonas, formerly of the Jonas Brothers and now the lead singer of DNCE. He’s well experienced with the vibrant MMVA street party after hosting with his brothers eight years ago.
Cara turned to him for advice at a recent photo shoot, hoping the seasoned veteran might calm her fears.
“I was like, ‘Look, I’m probably (going to) be messin’ up, too,’” Jonas said.
“As cliche and cheesy as it sounds, just have fun. Let go, enjoy the experience and know that it’s not the end of the world. This is a really cool opportunity to get up there on stage and if things go wrong then so be it — we’ll go with the punches.”
“Alessia Cara is a sweetheart and so talented,” he added. “I have no doubt she’ll do an amazing job.”
Cara will also be amongst friends and fellow artists throughout the night, who will help lighten the mood.
Presenters for this year’s MMVAs include pop songstress Carly Rae Jepsen, Serena Ryder, YouTuber Tyler Oakley, “13 Reasons Why’’ star Brandon Flynn and “Orphan Black” actress Tatiana Maslany.
While Cara isn’t slated to perform, Jonas will play with DNCE, known for their inescapable song “Cake By the Ocean.”
Other international superstars booked to perform their latest hits include Lorde, Imagine Dragons and former One Direction member Niall Horan.
Leading the MMVA nominations are Shawn Mendes, Grimes and A Tribe Called Red, who are contending in four categories each.
Even the co-hosts have a few nods with DNCE in the running for international duo or group, while Cara is vying for most buzzworthy Canadian artist and Canadian single of the year.
It’s been a stunning run for Cara, who rose from hopeful young singer to global superstar in under two years.
Her 2015 debut album “Know-It-All” was certified platinum in the U.S. last month, selling more than one million album equivalent units, which include digital streams. It has racked up another 146,000 copies in Canada.
Cara also currently holds a spot on the Billboard charts with “Stay,” a collaboration with German electronic producer Zedd.
Over the past few months Cara has been focusing on what her second album will sound like.
Inside a Los Angeles studio she’s laid out 14 tracks so far, with various producers including duo Pop & Oak, who helped craft her breakout single “Here.” Other songs have been overseen by Ricky Reed, who worked with Meghan Trainor and Twenty One Pilots.
“I’ve had these pent up emotions and songs that weren’t even really songs yet,” Cara said.
“It’s really awesome to feel what they sound like now .... It’s definitely not a full album yet, but the way it’s coming together is really exciting.”
During her downtime, Cara says she’s been binging through the latest season of “Orange is the New Black” — and any crime documentary she can get her hands on.
“I’m a weird freak who likes serial killer stories,” she said.
She’s still undecided whether the MMVA hosting duties could lead to more television work in the future. Cara is determined not to be “one of those singers turned actress.”