'I've gone from school plays to my own show at the Grand' - Sophie Clayton talks growing up surrounded by music, performing with Gary Barlow and putting on a show in her home town
She's a Wolverhampton girl born and bred and has become a rising talent in the British music scene, performing with some of the biggest names in the industry.
Sophie Clayton has done a lot in her 28 years, from singing as a backing singer to the likes of Gary Barlow, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding and Marisha Wallace to making appearances on television programmes and performing in pantomimes at venues like her home town Grand Theatre.
It is a venue which she is set to return to on Saturday, March 7 as she prepares for her first ever solo concert FLAVA, a showcase of R&B Anthems, Soul and Club Classics from 80’s, 90’s and Noughties to the present day, under her stage name Sofie Anne.
Coming from a musical family and with influences such as her aunt Beverley Knight, the chance to perform as herself inside the evocative and historic theatre is one Sophie said she was excited and nervous about in equal measures, but was a show she was ready for.
She said: "FLAVA will bring genres such as R&B, Soul, Garage, Club and just party anthems that hopefully will get people up on their feet and having a good time dancing.
"It's not the first time I've performed her at the Grand Theatre as I did panto here nearly four years ago when I was Jasmine and was an amazing experience that I'd love to do again.
"For this show, I will admit I do feel I'm nervous, but also very excited and I know that those nerves are going to turn into adrenaline on the night, so I will power through and have a great time."
Sophie said that, growing up, she felt that music had always been in her life, from singing in church as a little girl to amateur theatre productions, and spoke about her journey and what she had learned along the way.
She said: "I've been to Birmingham Ormiston Academy and BIMM in Manchester and performing arts have always been there and singing has always been there and I knew that I wanted to sing in some capacity.
"I've done little venues and small shows, like the Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton and then I got to do backing vocals with Ellie Goulding on tour, which was amazing, and then did some with my auntie on her tour, then there was Gary Barlow, so I've been very lucky to work with such amazing people.
"I learned all about professionalism, so just the dedication to the craft and the amount of work you put in, as people don't see how much hard work you have to put in, plus also just enjoying seeing how much they're enjoying themselves, which you can see on their faces."
Sophie said it was amazing to have the support of people like her auntie Beverley, who she said had supported her all the way alongside the rest of her family, and spoke about her influences and inspires her.
She said: "There's so many people who inspire me, from Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson to Whitney Houston, then there's my auntie of course, who was a massive inspiration as I was seeing her on stage when I was growing up.
"I also love Luthor Vandross and I love a lot of the newer artists, like Raye, who has been crafting for years and now is getting recognised for all the talent she has, and I love Olivia Dean as well.
"There's so many that I love and I listen to all types of genres as it's important to listen to and appreciate all different types of music."
As well as her own performances, Sophie said she was thrilled to be able to showcase some top local talent as well, with grime artist and rapper Reepa and rapper Nate Ethan performing on the night.
She said: " I want to really shine a spotlight on the talent in Wolverhampton as it is an incredible city full of extremely talented people and I want to celebrate that, I’m so looking forward to doing my thing and sharing the stage with Reepa and Nate.
"With our different styles and the acoustics in this theatre, it's going to be absolutely booming, so I would say to be people to get your tickets and we will have songs for everyone and I expect you all to be on your feet as it will be a party."
Her rise to the big stage in Wolverhampton is one Sophie says she has not taken for granted and said that she was thankful every day for being able to do what she loved and said anyone from her home city prepared to put in the work and have belief could do the same.
She said: "I'm just a girl from Wolverhampton and I think that if you have a dream, you should follow it and focus on that goal, know your worth and believe in yourself.
"You don't have to be from London or the major places that people go to make their careers as I'm from Wolverhampton and I'm doing it.
"I would say to any young person from Wolverhampton that if you have a dream, go and follow it and do it as you've got nothing left to lose."
FLAVA takes place on Saturday, March 7 at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
