Jackie Evancho would sing for Trump again despite backlash
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jackie Evancho is ready to be known as her own artist and not as "that girl who sang at Trump's inauguration" or that "young girl on 'America's Got Talent.'"
The 16-year-old recently released "Two Hearts," an album of the classical tunes she is known for and also pop songs which is new territory for Evancho.
"My whole life, I've kind of been known as the 10-year-old girl from 'America's Got Talent,' who's short and blonde and sings pretty little opera songs, but as I'm getting older I'm learning more about myself," she told Fox News. "I'm stepping off of the pedestal they've always kept me on."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}While Evancho wants to shed her inauguration reputation, she would gladly perform for Trump again.
"I would definitely do it again. It was a great honor," she said.
As for the artists who turned down the inauguration gig?
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I don't really think much about [them]," she said. "It is what it is. They made their decision like I made mine [and] it's not my place to judge."
The "Attesa" singer acknowledged she received a lot of criticism for performing for Trump and had to rely on her faith and family to get through the backlash.
"My faith kind of just inspires me to be a good person," she told us. "And so as I continue through this path, I want to remain a good person and just stay and not [become a] diva."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Her faith also guides her through her career as she faces situations that challenge her values -- like wardrobe choices.
"I am a very modest person and so I would probably not walk around in a bra," she said.
Evancho, who is gearing up for her Cafe Carlyle residency, hopes the way she handled the haters will inspire other young aspiring singers to shoot for their dreams.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"You're always get to get haters [and]...people saying terrible things and the really hard part is to ignore it and not let it get to you," she advised those aiming for a career in the entertainment industry. "That's where the challenge and the lesson comes. Just ignore that and continue on that path that you want to be on."