Ashley Leitao
 Age: 18 "I'm just a fun, easy-going Portuguese girl who lives and breathes music!" Born in Winnipeg, Ashley Leitao moved to Portugal when she was five before settling in Burnaby at the age of six. Ashley began singing when she was four "and it wasn't long until I knew in my heart that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life," she says. "Music and singing is all around in my family and is part of our everyday lives," says the 18-year-old Sales Associate at Below the Belt. "Singing to me is like breathing – it just comes naturally." Ashley says her Canadian idol is Celine Dion. "I look up to the career she has and how far she's come. She has an incredible voice and talent that can reach people of all ages." The Canadian she admires most? Terry Fox, for "his strength and courage." Ashley's favourite movie is Armageddon ("I love movies with a bit of romance and action") and likes to read fantasy and sci-fi novels. She loves to eat, the Vancouver Canucks and Team Portugal and "loves, loves, loves" jeans. She likes to travel to Europe, camp and "bug" her brother. What song title best describes Ashley? Faith – "because I'm a spiritual person and faith is what I turn to in my life when things get really rough."
Ashley's fun facts: Which musical act would you most like to see in concert? Cirque du Soleil with Celine Dion
What has been the biggest accomplishment of your life? Getting this far in the Canadian Idol competition. What are you the most proud of? Being godmother to my cousin Ben. Which item could you not live without? My crystal rosary, it resembles a part of who I am. What's been the best day of your life? When I found out that I made it through to the Top 32. If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Jesus Christ,without a doubt! I'm a spiritual person, it's what helps me through the roughest and darkest times in my life and meeting him would be an absolute honour! What do you think has gotten you this far in the competition? Honestly, I have no clue...hah I mean I look around me and I am amazed at all the talent in here! I'm just being who I am, savouring each and every experience I have day-to-day here in Toronto. People here are amazing. What will it take for you to become the Canadian Idol? Being myself, having fun and I'm gonna need a whole lot of lovin' and support from Canada. What has been the most challenging part of the competition so far? Seeing the friends that I've grown with in this competition leave. It's literally heart- breaking. Whose career path would you like to follow and why? I'd like to try and follow my own career path. I try and live each and everyday with this quote, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail". What part of the Canadian Idol experience has surprised you the most? The part of this competition that's surprised me the most would have to be the elimination of the "TOP 100". I had no idea how drastic the cuts were each day of the week. What did you learn about yourself during the Top 100? My legs and knees have never shaken so hard in my life like they have in this competition. What was your reaction when you made the Top 32? Oh my gosh!!! I think I collapsed to the ground and just burst out in tears. Who has been the greatest inspiration of your life? My mom has been the greatest inspiration in my life. She's my best friend and she's taught me everything I know today. She's really my backbone in life. Without her I don't think I'd be standing where I am today. Who has helped to make you the singer you are today? My singing coach Holly Denney, I've been her student ever since I was nine and she's just an amazing person. What song touches you the most? Why does it affect you so much? "I will take care of you", by Amy Sky. It's a song dedicated to mothers. The song explains life circle and how our mom's take care of us when we are kids all fragile and that we too will take care of them on day when they become old and fragile. It's basically a song that explains the circle of life. This song affects me because I'm close to my mom and one day I hope that I'll be close with my children. What do you do to keep your nerves in check during the competition? I try centering myself with meditation...sometimes I close my eyes and just take deep breaths. I also try and remind myself where I am in this competition and no matter what happens next, it's all bonus from here on. How has this competition changed you? It's made me grow as a musician, to not be afraid of who I am as a singer.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? "Awesome!" and "Oh my god!" and "Really?" |
