A superstar in the making

> YouTube sensation Jasmine Thompson has been performing since she was 10 to over 2.8 million subscribers on her channel

YOU MAY have heard her cover versions of Lukas Graham’s 7 Years, Tears For Fears’ Mad World, and Adele’s Send My Love, on her YouTube channel.

Sixteen-year-old Jasmine Thompson ( right) is a fast-rising YouTube star currently touring around the world to promote her latest EP, Wonderland, which features the single, Old Friends, that she co-wrote with US pop star Meghan Trainor.

The British teen of English and Chinese heritage grew up in Central London.

When her parents split up several years ago, it was music that got her through difficult times, as well as the encouragement of her older brother, Jed, himself an avid singer and musician.

Jasmine learnt to play piano and bass, and attended a performing arts high school.

An ardent fan of British indie rock bands such as Florence and the Machine as well as Noah and the Whale, Jasmine’s passion in music developed over the years.

She established her own YouTube channel at the age of 10, posting up covers of popular songs and garnering over 2.8 million subscribers.

Wonderland is her second EP, after Adore (2015).

In a phone interview from Los Angeles, Jasmine explained how she picked which songs to cover.

“I really like singing songs that I like the melodies to, or the lyrics,” she shared. “Usually, they are songs that mean a lot to me. Sometimes, my fans will suggest songs for me to sing.”

Jasmine said she has a rule about singing songs by her idols.

“I have have done a few Florence and the Machine songs [but] I tend not to do covers of artistes who inspire me, because they are so amazing to me.

“I don’t want to sing their songs! I would rather listen to the originals.”

Jasmine stands out from other YouTube musicians because she had formal training in both music and singing when she was younger.

She explained: “I would like to [have been] self-taught, but when I was younger, my mum noticed that I liked to be creative, and that I liked singing.

“So she thought it would be a good thing for me to have a creative education then.”

She is currently being homeschooled by a tutor, to allow her the flexibility to pursue her music career.

Going from singing covers to her own original compositions is a natural progression, she said.

“It is finally [my chance] to show my songs. I loved the covers, but original songs are more personal, and I love to give that to my fans.”

Her EP’s title track, Wonderland, is one such personal song, referring to her relationship with her estranged father.

“I feel [that] when an artiste shares something personal, it is an interesting kind of feeling. When people hear the song, they can relate to it in their own way.”

Currently, Jasmine has finished touring around Asia, and will next be heading to perform in Italy, Canada and the US, before returning to London for a final show in October.

“When I first started touring, I was so happy to hear people singing to my songs or dancing when they hear my songs. I feel grateful because it took me ages to get to where I am today.

“I have been doing this since I was 10, and it feels like all the work I have been doing for the past few years is all worth it. I just feel so happy.”

Jasmine’s singing voice is huskier than her speaking voice. Asked about this, she laughed and said it happens “naturally”.

Aside from performing at her own solo shows, she is also playing at festivals and other music events around the world.

Jasmine said she will be putting out a couple of singles over the next few months, before working on a full album.

Looks like this songbird is going places in the music world. At her age, the sky is the limit for this YouTube sensation.