Beauty queen turns dancehall diva - AnnaleaX sets sights on Billboard, Grammys and more

Once gracing stages in glittering gowns and tiaras, Kadejah Anderson--now known to fans as AnnaleaX--has traded the pageant runway for pounding basslines and spotlighted stages.

The former beauty queen, once celebrated for her elegance and poise, took a bold leap in 2019, shedding the sash and embracing music.

Now 28, the soulful siren is on a mission to prove she's more than just a pretty face. With the release of her debut album Alter Ego last year, AnnaleaX fully stepped into her artistry, delivering a body of work that's both powerful and personal. The album's release marked a key moment in a journey she had long envisioned.

"Since I was a little girl, I've been singing. My mom is also a really great singer and when I was about 15, that's when it clicked to me that 'you know what? You could really really be good at this.' So, I think at that age I decided that that's something I'd like to pursue in the future," the 28-year-old told THE STAR.

Though she is no longer a part of the world of pageantry, she admits that the experience she has gained throughout that journey has helped to shape her current pursual of music.

"The experiences throughout my pageant life have really helped me especially with my presentation and having like stage presence. Being a model and being in pageants has a lot to do with how you look and being confident, and always being present, which allows me to showcase myself in the [best way when performing]," she explained. AnnaleaX added that having stage presence helped her bridge the gap between the two passions, complementing it with her talent.

While the Rainy Days artiste describes her sound as more soulful, she is currently in the dancehall space vocally and, in the future, wants to explore and embrace more pop and R&B music. Over the years, she has looked up to international stars like Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, and P!nk. On the local side, "I like Stalk Ashley a lot - That girl is so spicy and she has such a beautiful voice." She added that she wants to collaborate with Stalk Ashley, as well as Masicka, Govana and Joby Jay.

The end goal of a true artiste, regardless of genre, is to leave a legacy. For AnnaleaX, that legacy includes establishing a studio space where women can fully embrace who they are in music.

"I really want to establish my own studio space for women specifically in Jamaica. One of the hardest things I think I had to experience was not having a space that I felt completely comfortable in. Most of our spaces here in Jamaica are taken over by men, like it's very saturated in the male field.

So I'd love to have more spaces where women can embrace who they are in the music industry and feel comfortable to just like, you know, be there and not have to feel weird," she said.

So where does this rising star see herself next? Well, for now she's working to release new music with accompanying visuals which she hopes will be released during the summer.

"In the next five years, I want to hold my Grammy award up high in the air and say 'Yes I did that!' But overall, by that time I hope I have some

number-one songs, topping charts, and I hope the world knows my name," AnnaleaX said.