Houston’s Madeline the Person turns a huge social-media following into a music career.
Madeline the Person pinpoints what seem like very disparate voices that have influenced her as a singer.
“I was a big Disney Channel kid, and honestly, I think Demi Lovato was the reason that I started taking voice lessons,” says the Houston native, who just turned 20 and has a new EP, “Chapter 2: The Shedding,” out Sept. 17. “And my mom showed me Aretha Franklin. I remember singing in the car with her.”
What do a former tween idol and a bona fide legend have in common? They’re both, Madeline says, “women with huge voices.” It’s a fair point. Lovato has evolved into a potent performer, and Aretha is, well, Aretha.
“I know those are very different, but I was just so into soulful sound,” Madeline says. “I think I had a feeling that I had that ability, so I just nurtured it. I literally wanted that more than anything.”
Both influences — seriously — are apparent in Madeline the Person’s music. Lovato in the melodic quality of her recordings and fiercely personal lyrics; Franklin in the raw, powerful vocals showcased in many of her stage persona.
Madeline the Person grew up in Bellaire as Madeline Holste. She attended Hebrew school and graduated from Xavier Educational Academy, a small private institution. Music was an integral part of her upbringing. Her father was an audiophile and CD collector. Her mother is a classically trained pianist. Her brother plays flamenco guitar and jazz piano.
Madeline started vocal lessons
at 7 years old and still keeps up with them today. She began playing piano when she was even younger. She wrote her first song at 11 years old but refuses to say much about it.
“I honestly cannot disclose. It’s really embarrassing. It was a very angsty little 11-year-old song,” she says with a laugh. “It was more like, ‘This is something I love so much that I have to do it my whole life.’ Honestly, only recently did I find out that I am able to do this as a job.”
Getting signed
That moment of realization was in December, when she signed with Warner Records. The label was one of many who discovered Madeline last year through TikTok, where her covers of popular songs have attracted more than half a million followers and millions of views. After months of calls and messages and meetings, she signed on the dotted line. Virtually, of course. In the COVID-19 era, the entire thing happened over Zoom.
“It was everything coming together in my whole being. Everything that I’ve ever wanted and what I’m gonna do in my plans — everything, ever — was solidified. I still can’t believe it. It’s hard to wrap my head around every day,” she says.
Her first EP, “Chapter 1: The Longing,” was released earlier this year. On the surface and in person, Madeline exudes joy. Her hair is a shock of blue. Before that, it was pink and purple. She loves bright colors, quirky jewelry and coloring pages and has an effervescent aura that beams through her videos.
The songs Madeline writes, however, are intensely personal, like pages out of her diary. It’s no surprise that she cites Joni Mitchell, John Mayer and Alanis Morissette as prime influences. Her style also fits in with other current female singer-songwriters who are closer to her age, such as Girl in Red and Arlo Parks. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the likes of Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Lizzo and Ed Sheeran are all fans.
Beauty and heartache
There’s a gentle, sad beauty to every song on “Chapter 1.” Standout “As a Child” is an ode to her father, who died when Madeline was 15. (“All that I wanted is to talk to someone who is dead/ But unfortunately I can’t call him so I sing instead”). “Gladly” addresses the grieving process that follows in aching detail. (“Far too many a time I have seen my mom cry/ More than you I presume ’cause your dad didn’t die”).
“Chapter 2” continues Madeline’s examination of identity and acceptance. New single “Unrecognizable” finds her reconciling past and present selves. The gorgeous “Haunted” recalls a pivotal middle school relationship.
“You didn't have to go back in the closet/ Your mom’s uptight, but she’ll accept it,” Madeline sings. In a cleverly literal twist, the video was filmed inside her actual closet.
“It was just everything I felt about my first love and how hard it was to be hidden at that time. I had no idea who I was, but I did know that I really loved this girl,” she says. “I wish I had someone that made music and talked about hard things and identity. I wanna be that for others. I wanna talk about the hard things and represent the things I am.”
Madeline the Person plans to kick off her first tour in November, capping what has proven to be a landmark year for the young singer and songwriter. But no matter where she goes, Houston, including its food, is never far from her thoughts.
“I love it here. I don’t wanna leave. When I leave, I feel so sad. I think it’s such a good place. I can’t imagine another home, she says. “I’m really obsessed with Fadi’s. I’ve tried many a Mediterranean restaurant elsewhere. Nothing comes
close to Fadi’s. I cannot find the zest anywhere else. It’s so important to me.”