Wyn Starks on the Success of ‘Who I Am,’ Support From Celine Dion and His Upcoming Album

The last couple of years have been a whirlwind for Minneapolis-born singer-songwriter Wyn Starks, and it all started with a captivating audition on the 17th season of America's Got Talent.

Wyn immediately earned the attention of audiences and judges alike with his original song, "Who I Am," and though he didn't win the competition, the song resonated so profoundly that even now, in 2024, it's as impactful as ever. The soulful track is an anthem about self-discovery and living with authenticity, and it has some famous fans, including Celine Dion. She's touted it as one of her favorite songs and even had Wyn perform it in a special appearance on her Prime Video documentary, I Am: Celine Dion. After first chatting with Wyn at the start of last year, we had the chance to catch up with the star to find out where he is now, and he shared his story with us in the interview below.

Sweety High: How have things changed for you since your time on American's Got Talent?

Wyn Starks: A lot has changed since AGT! It opened doors for me that I didn't even know were there. I've been able to connect with more people who resonate with my music and my story. I think the biggest change has been just the platform—it allowed me to share my message with a wider audience, and now I get to see firsthand how much people relate to my music, especially songs like "Who I Am." Plus, I'm a lot busier now, which is both amazing and a little overwhelming sometimes, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

(Photo credit: Anna Haas Creative)

 

SH: Did it surprise you when you were featured in the I Am: Celine Dion documentary? Has it been meaningful to you that such an esteemed songwriter and performer has found such comfort in your music?

WS: Surprised is an understatement! I remember getting the news and just sitting there like, "Wait… Celine Dion? The Celine Dion?" It was such an incredible honor. Her music has inspired me for so long, so to know that something I created could offer her comfort during everything she going through—it's beyond meaningful. It's one of those pinch-me moments where I realized my music is reaching people in ways I could have only dreamed, and that's a beautiful thing.

(Photo credit: Anna Haas Creative)

 

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SH: What does it mean to you that so many people have resonated with "Who I Am"? Have you seen an even bigger response since the release of the documentary?

WS: "Who I Am" was such a personal song for me, and to see how much it's connected with people is really humbling. It's one of those songs that came from a very raw, real place, so to have people tell me it's helped them through their own struggles—that's everything. Since the documentary came out, the response has definitely grown. I've had people from all over reach out and share their stories, and it just reminds me that music really does have the power to heal

 

SH: What have been some of the most significant moments for your career in the last two years?

WS: The last two years have been a whirlwind! Obviously, being on America's Got Talent was a huge moment, but getting my song featured in Celine Dion's documentary—that's next level. Another big moment has been releasing my singles like "Where Are the Giants?" and seeing the love they've gotten. I'd also say just getting to perform again after everything shut down with the pandemic has been significant. There's something so special about being able to connect with an audience in person again.

 

SH: What can we expect next?

WS: I've got a new album coming out, which I'm super excited about! I've been pouring my heart into this project, and I can't wait for people to hear it. You can expect more music, more performances and hopefully some surprises along the way. I'm always looking for new ways to push myself and my music, so stay tuned!

(Photo credit: Anna Haas Creative)

 

SH: What's one thing you're proudest of right now?

WS: I'm really proud of how far I've come in terms of embracing who I am, both as a person and an artist. It's taken me a while to fully step into my truth, but I'm here now, and I'm making music that feels real to me. That, and just the fact that I've been able to connect with so many people through my music—seeing how it's resonated with them is something I'm incredibly proud of.

 

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SH: Is there anything else we should know about you and your music?

WS: One thing to know is that my music is always going to come from an authentic place. I'm not afraid to be vulnerable and share my story because I believe that's how we connect as humans. Also, I'm constantly evolving, so expect my music to evolve with me. I want to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new sounds, all while staying true to who I am.

(Photo credit: Anna Haas Creative)

 

For even more from Wyn Starks, click HERE to read our initial interview with him on the power of "Who I Am."