Today Apple TV+ unveils Micaela Kleinsmith as the winner of “My Kind of Country,” the new music competition series from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, and executive producer and multi-Grammy Award-winning star, Kacey Musgraves. As the winner, Kleinsmith will receive a life-changing experience from Apple, including global exposure across the Apple TV+ and Apple Music platforms.
Kleinsmith, originally championed by Orville Peck, won over the scouts' hearts with her incredible vocals and visible growth as an artist throughout the journey on “My Kind of Country.” In the final episodes premiering today on Apple TV+, Kleinsmith sings both an original song “Stupid Love,” as well as a unique cover of The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young.”
Kleinsmith’s EP “Butterfly” will be released through Platoon on Apple Music today, which includes her three original songs, “Butterfly,” “Eternity” and “Raise A Cup,” that she had the opportunity to record with renowned music producer Tommy Sims. She is also releasing the addition to her cover of The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young,” which are all streaming now.
“This competition has been such a blessing and I'm just so grateful to have been able to learn from so many other talented artists on a global platform like Apple TV+.”
Series winner, Micaela Kleinsmith
“I was so honored and excited to have been selected as the winner of ‘My Kind of Country,’ said series winner, Micaela Kleinsmith. “This competition has been such a blessing and I'm just so grateful to have been able to learn from so many other talented artists on a global platform like Apple TV+. ‘My Kind of Country’ gave me an opportunity that wouldn't normally have been available to me in the industry, and highlights the need for country music to open its doors to new talent and new ideas. Thank you to Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton, Orville Peck, Reese Witherspoon and Kacey Musgraves for giving me this chance. I can’t wait for fans to check out my new EP ‘Butterfly’ on Apple Music.”
A fresh take on a music competition series, “My Kind of Country” breaks down barriers in country music by providing an extraordinary opportunity to diverse artists from around the world to be given a platform to be heard. Scouts Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton and Orville Peck each handpicked a roster of talented and diverse artists and invited them to the home of country music in Nashville, Tennessee, to showcase their unique sound.
“We were all moved by Micaela’s final performances and to be able to witnesses her growth throughout the competition has made me so proud of my fellow South African!” said scout, Orville Peck. “Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton and I all believe she is ready to be our next country music star. We are so thrilled to announce her as the winner of 'My Kind of Country' and have the world listen to her new EP ‘Butterfly’ on Apple Music.”
“We are so thrilled to announce her as the winner of 'My Kind of Country' and have the world listen to her new EP ‘Butterfly’ on Apple Music.”
Scout, Orville Peck
Witherspoon and Musgraves executive produce alongside Hello Sunshine’s Sara Rea and Lauren Neustadter; Sandbox Entertainment's Jason Owen; the illustrious Emmy-nominated showrunner Izzie Pick Ibarra (“The Masked Singer,” “Savage x Fenty Vol 3,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Ladies of London”); and Done + Dusted’s Katy Mullan (“Beauty & The Beast: A 30th Celebration,” “The Voice UK,” “Dancing With The Stars,” London Olympics Opening Ceremony). Emmy Award-winning Adam Blackstone serves as music director (musical director to Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Faith Hill, Rihanna and for Super Bowl Halftime Show, the Academy Awards, the Grammy Awards, “The Masked Singer”).
Sensitive South African songbird Micaela Kleinsmith grew up watching singing competition shows and dreaming of being on stage; by watching these shows and immersing herself in the sounds of the performers, she taught herself about vocal attack and range. Bullied heavily as a child, music became Kleinsmith’s escape and her coping mechanism. When she discovered that she could sing and that people were taking notice, Kleinsmith began using her newfound talent as a way to make friends. She started writing songs at the age of fourteen and continued to rise as an artist, eventually landing a spot on South Africa’s “Idols” in 2016. When Kleinsmith is singing, the emotion, passion and raw talent is immediately apparent to anyone who listens.
Listen to “My Kind Of Country” winner Micaela Kleinsmith’s EP “Butterfly” on Apple Music HERE and listen to music from all of the artists from the show in spatial audio on the “My Kind of Country” companion playlist, available on Apple Music. Tune in and listen to Today’s Country Radio with Kelleigh Bannen this Friday, April 7 at 7 a.m. PST / 9 a.m. CST / 10 a.m. EST or anytime on-demand at apple.co/_TodaysCountry. This week, “My Kind Of Country” winner and South Africa native Kleinsmith joins Bannen to talk about her victory. The softly-spoken singer songwriter with powerhouse vocals is taking it all in as she celebrates being crowned the Apple TV+ singing competition’s winner. Check out “My Kind of Country” in its dedicated space on Apple Music HERE.
“My Kind of Country” premiered March 24 with the first three episodes introducing the 12 talented artists from around the world in this groundbreaking music competition series. Three additional episodes debuted March 31 as the artists displayed their musical versatility via a series of scout-led workshops focusing on authenticity, collaboration and visual storytelling in their bid to secure a spot in the finale. This week, the stakes have never been higher for the extraordinarily talented finalists who have made it to the highly anticipated two-part finale on Friday, April 7.
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