Paula DeAnda made her mark in spring 2005 when she opened shows for hip-hop artists Nelly, Baby Bash and Frankie J.
Then the budding R&B/pop artist was a last-minute addition to Corpus Christi's Bayfest, performing for 20,000 screaming fans.
This year, the 16-year-old former San Angeloan's career skyrocketed after music industry legend Clive Davis signed her on the spot.
Next to follow: Her ''Doing Too Much'' video featuring Baby Bash on MTV's ''TRL'' and a booking on ''Live with Regis and Kelly.''
What a difference a year can make.
Her self-titled debut album on the Arista record label was released Tuesday. Paula, who moved from San Angelo in 2002, co-wrote six of the tracks.
Next month, she returns as a Bayfest headliner with a full band, disc jockey and dancers.
Although Paula thinks of herself as a typical teen who likes to shop, sing karaoke, spend time with family and friends, answer her myspace.com e-mails and watch comedy movies, she just might be the next Princess of Pop.
In March, Paula was called to audition in New York City for Steve Ferrera, senior vice president of artist and repertoire/staff producer for RCA Music Group, which oversees Arista and J Records, after he heard her single ''Doing Too Much.''
Ferrera has had Kelly Clarkson audition, and he has worked with Rod Stewart.
He said when he heard Paula sing a cappella, he knew he was in the presence of ''a long-term career artist.''
Paula ''was as cute as a button, and she was charming and smart and driven - all of the things that you look for in a new artist. I was completely blown away,'' said Ferrera, who arranged to have her return that afternoon for a second audition.
This time, her audition was before a packed room that included legendary music executive Clive Davis.
''I went into it,'' she said, ''thinking, 'This is my chance. I can't be nervous. He's just like anybody else - except more powerful.' ''
After the audition, executives rose and clapped, and Davis welcomed Paula with a hug. According to Paula, Davis said, '' 'I don't see any reason why we should wait.' ''
''As we were walking in the hallway, Paula still didn't
know what was going on,'' said her manager, Ed Ocanas. ''I said, 'You just got a record deal.' She said, 'I did?' I said, 'Don't scream until we get in the office.' ''
Paula began singing gospel, contemporary and country music at age 6 for ''any kind of parties or get-togethers'' in her hometown of San Angelo.
Besides holiday parties, quinceaneras, funerals and weddings, Paula admits to entertaining at bingo halls and on restaurant microphones, and to serenading her neighbors, pretending her hairbrush was a microphone.
''I've sang at so many different places. It's always been something that I've loved to do,'' Paula said.
The first time Z95 program director Ocanas heard Paula's voice, he says, he knew she had a music future.
''Paula's voice is powerful, and I think what's so impressive is you see her, and you see her build and her frame, and it's such a powerful voice coming from such a small girl,'' said the longtime disc jockey.
After Ocanas signed a management deal with Paula's parents - Steven, a restaurant manager, and Barbara DeAnda, a school nurse - they joined with Corpus Christi independent record label Evident Music Group to help finance her.
Ocanas, who helped propel the careers of Frankie J and the Kumbia Kings, and who also manages Baby Bash, played Paula's first single, ''What Would It Take?,'' in July 2005. Ten radio stations across the country soon followed.
In December, he set up a California/Texas tour for Paula and decided to switch out ''What Would It Take?'' with the single ''Doing Too Much,'' which hit No. 37 nationwide on Billboard charts.
After she signed with Arista/J Records, the song rose to No. 8 on the rhythm chart and was in the top 15 of the Top 40 chart.
By March, Paula had a seven-album, multimillion-dollar deal with Arista/J Records.
Inspiring fans through music is Paula's priority. She says her album delivers messages touching on self-esteem and failed relationships and will have feel-good songs.
Her songs bring 18-year-old Gabby Flores to tears.
''She sings and she gives me chills,'' said Flores, a Carroll High School senior who has seen Paula play at Bayfest and in Houston.
Flores met Paula in dance class at Carroll. The two became close gal pals.
Flores' favorite song is Paula's latest single ''Walk Away (Remember Me).''
''I can't believe I'm her friend!'' Flores said. ''We still hang out and talk about boys.''
Juggling school and shows has been tough on Paula, so the former Carroll student will have a tutor on the road.
''I want to continue my'' education, said Paula, who is interested in cosmetology and the restaurant and clothing businesses. ''I just don't want to drop out just because I'm doing music.''
Recently, fans have approached her for photos during shopping trips at Padre Staples Mall. She accepts.
''It's amazing how people think of me so differently now,'' she said. ''I still feel like, 'Why do you want my autograph?' I still feel like I haven't quite made it yet to that famous point.''
About Paula
She admires Baby Phat fashions and is talking to the company about appearing in one of its fall fashion shows.
She has two older sisters, Jessica Ramirez, 25, and Brandi DeAnda, 19; and a 7-year-old brother, Sterling.
She has been confused with Vanessa Anne Hudgens of Disney's ''High School Musical.''
She doesn't have a boyfriend but says, ''I tell everybody my boyfriend's name is 'music,' and he's always with me 24/7, so leave me alone!''
Paula also auditioned for Atlantic, TVT, Columbia and Universal Records.
Her self-titled debut album features production by Happy Perez, Stargate and Frankie J.
She worked with Baby Bash, Ne-Yo, Lil' Wayne, Timbaland and Diane Warren on the album.
Her favorite track on the debut album is ''So Cold.''
She has appeared on ''The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson'' and ''Extra'' and performed online for Rolling Stone.
She was a featured artist on Yahoo!'s ''The New Now'' promotion.
She clocks more than 96,000 friends at myspace.com. (By comparison, Madonna has 72,000 friends, and Paris Hilton has 81,000.)
Her musical influences are Selena, Jaci Velasquez, Alicia Keys, Keyshia Cole, Alliyah, Christina Aguilera, LeAnn Rimes, Jo Dee Messina and Shania Twain.
Her favorite foods: burritos from Diego's Burritos in San Angelo and horchatas from Taqueria Jalisco.
A Spanish version of ''Doing Too Much'' (''Lo Que Hago Por Tu Amor'') is available through iTunes.
Sources: Paula DeAnda,Ed Ocanas, Arista Records.
Timeline
2002
June - The DeAnda family moves from San Angelo to Corpus Christi.
2005
April - Paula opens concert for Frankie J and Baby Bash in front of 9,700 people at Concrete Street Amphitheater.
May/June - Ed Ocanas signs a contract with Paula's parents, Steven and Barbara DeAnda, to be Paula's manager.
June - Paula opens concert for Nelly at American Bank Center.
July - Paula's ballad ''What Would It Take?'' receives airplay on Z95 and across the country.
September - Paula performs at Corpus Christi's Bayfest.
November - ''Doing Too Much'' gets its first airplay locally and across the country.
2006
February - ''Doing Too Much'' hits No. 37 nationwide on Billboard charts.
March - Paula opens Z95's Sand Jamz concert. She performs ''Doing Too Much'' live with Baby Bash for the first time.
March - Paula gets a recording contract with Arista/J Records.
March - ''Doing Too Much'' moves to No. 8 on Billboard's rhythm chart and the top 15 of Billboard's Top 40 chart.
July - ''Doing Too Much'' receives airplay on about 100 stations across the country.
August - Second single ''Walk Away'' off Paula's debut album is released across the country.
September - Paula will perform at Bayfest for a second year.
Sources: Arista Records,
Ed Ocanas
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