Dream In Color
Interview with dreamer, song bird,
and inspirational soul, Paige Rion
Meet Rion Paige. Her bubbly smile can light up both a room and a stage.
Last year the brave girl stood in front of Simon Cowell, one of the toughest critics in the music industry, and sang her heart out. Her heartfelt audition gave Rion three “yes”s from the judges, which put her well on her way to competing as a hopeful contestant on the mega-star-making T.V. show,
X-Factor.
A year later, and Rion's world has become a whirlwind of her midnight dreams turning into daylight reality.
I asked Rion, "When the opportunity to audition for the X-Factor came along, did you ever dream, even in your CRAZIEST dreams, that you would make it to the top 5 [on the show] and gain such an amazing following of fans? Or was it all a big surprise?"
Rion's response was, "The whole thing was a big surprise! I remember I was sitting on the couch at my house watching the season finale of season two (before mine), and I just remember thinking, 'Oh wow. I could do that, maybe.' And at least try.
Because I had heard of a lot of friends who tried out for different singing shows and things, and sadly they didn't make it, I was like, 'I'm crazy to think about this, it probably won't happen, but we might as well try!' So I mean, even the first callbacks I got, that was just crazy to even think about or fathom. But I definitely did not think I'd get in the top five. Like, not at all!"
Singing In The Rain
Rion's life hasn't always looked like this. The glitz and glam, the glittery stage lights, and rubbing elbows with superstars in Nashville...it all has taken a little getting used to! Especially for a girl who is used to getting attention for another reason. A reason that has nothing to do with her killer country voice. As a little girl, Rion was diagnosed with Arthrogryposis Multiplex, which has caused permanent damage to her arms. Therefore her hands are always in a bent position. She's also blind in her right eye.
Rion knows what it's like to have people judge a book by it's cover. Rion talked about the situation in a joyful, carefree manner.
"It's kinda rough, because honestly you don't know what people are going to think of you, because they've never seen what I have, and so some people will be like, 'WHAT is up?' Hahaha. “I've never seen this before! What is up with the girl?”"
In spite of anything different about Rion's outward appearance, she wasn't going to let that stop her. Her passion to sing over-ruled any objections of fear concerned about what others would think. I asked what the biggest road block has been in pursuing her dreams.
"Well definitely because I do have a different look, with my hands and my eye...I wouldn't say it's hard, but it's challenging. Because it's something you have to keep in mind while you're doing this. Some people might doubt me because of having this, or they might look at me differently, or they might underestimate what I can do. It was definitely something I prayed about before I went on the X-Factor, and before I really started getting out there and doing shows like I am now. And now I'm able to let people see what I have to offer, and not what my hands have to offer, to not judge a book by it's cover, 'cause there's so much more inside once you just read on."