PureVolume

In this age of instant, fleeting stardom, it is all too easy to get jaded when one hears about a 21-year-old pop singer. Fortunately, for Jessica Ferguson, her love for song is matched only by her talent, “[Music] was the only thing that could get me going anywhere,” Jessica explained. “My mom would put in the cassette tapes and I’d be good to go! Music became an escape for me”

Inspired by legendary artists like Barbara Streisand, Gene Kelly, Michael Jackson, and hometown stars Destiny’s Child, Jessica knew at a young age that she wanted to be a professional performer and began her formal dance and musical training when she was five years old, “School was very hard for me growing up,” Jessica said. “My heart wasn’t into formal studies, so it became frustrating. I could not wait to get out of class and go to my dance, theatre, and voice classes. Performing became my outlet.” By the eighth grade, Jessica was being home schooled, which permitted her to channel all of her energies into the arts. By the age of 13, Jessica landed leading roles at the Masquerade Theatre and Theatre Under the Stars, and began to make a name for herself in Houston’s local theatre scene.

In 2009, Jessica began to work on her debut LP with High School Musical producer Andrew Lane. The single “Rockstar,” released via digitally, became a smash hit. “Rockstar is one of the records that I’ve been told speaks to a lot of different people,” Jessica said. “No matter where or who you are, if you want to, you can be a rock star!?” She later recorded “Entertainment” on an indie label, and the track was included on the soundtrack to the 2009 hit Paul Blart: Mall Cop.

Jessica recently embarked on a high school tour, during which she is set to performed and speak with students about achieving their dreams. “It’s always been my hope to inspire, through music the way that music has inspired me,” Jessica said. “I have been inspired by entertainers such as Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, and Jennifer Lopez, to name a few, because of their music and the show they put on. I hope to bring that kind of [element] to the stage and be an inspiration through my music, message and entertainment.”