Melanie Adele Martinez (born April 28, 1995) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and director. Born in Astoria, Queens, and raised in Baldwin, New York, Martinez rose to fame in 2012 after appearing on season 3 of the American television talent show The Voice. Following the show, she[a] was signed to Atlantic Records and released her debut single "Dollhouse", followed by her debut extended play of the same name (2014). [ 2] Martinez later released her debut studio album, Cry Baby (2015), which went on to be certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). [3] The album amassed numerous commercially successful singles including "Pity Party", "Soap" and "Mrs. Potato Head. [4][5][6] Martinez released two …show more content…
[11][12] Her family moved to Baldwin, New York, on Long Island, when Martinez was four. [9] Martinez attended Plaza Elementary School, crediting her teacher Mr. Nadien with teaching her how to sing,[9] and in kindergarten, Martinez began writing poetry. Martinez says she had few friends growing up and was a homebody, as she was "very emotional" and found it difficult to explain her feelings, crying when overwhelmed. She practiced photography and painting. [15] Due to her emotionality as a child,[14] she says that others referred to her as a "cry baby", which sparked the creation of the titular character of her debut album, Cry Baby. [16][17][18] Martinez grew up in a "traditional Latin household" where she was made to feel shameful about talking about her sexuality and felt as if she would not be accepted if she came out as bisexual. She says her family is now fully accepting of her sexuality. …show more content…
Martinez then auditioned for the third season of The Voice. She had not watched the show herself prior to the audition. The initial, untelevised audition was an open call, held at Javits Center. She recalls that while she and her mother were driving to the audition, her mother's car broke down before they reached the Queens–Midtown Tunnel, and the two were forced to "hitchhike" a taxicab in order to get there. Several months after the initial audition, while at Roosevelt Field Mall, Martinez received word that she had advanced to the "second round". She then received multiple callbacks until she was finally selected to audition on the show itself. Martinez auditioned singing Britney Spears's "Toxic" with three of the four judges (Adam Levine, CeeLo Green and Blake Shelton) hitting their "I Want You" button. Martinez ultimately chose Adam Levine to be her coach.