Rising Star Cara Paige On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry

An Interview With Eden Gold

Take risks. You won’t get anywhere by being scared and stepping back. I love performing live, but I always get nervous that I’m going to mess up. I just have to tell myself that no one cares. As long as I’m having a good time and giving it my all, it’s okay to make mistakes. No one is perfect as cheesy as it sounds.

As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Cara Paige.

Cara Paige, a 24-year-old singer/songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia, found a love for music early on and a voice through songwriting and a guitar. She started singing at 8, but it was when she got her hands on a guitar at 14 that everything clicked. She’s entirely self-taught, which has made her journey with music uniquely hers.

“Red Flags,” her first song, was written at just 14 years old. By 17, she had the chance to record it professionally, marking the start of her journey into the music industry. Ten years into songwriting, her process is still evolving, fueled by a love for the craft that grows stronger every day.

Music has been Cara’s emotional outlet, her way of understanding the world, and through her songs, she offers the same refuge to her listeners. Her goal is simple: to connect, to comfort, and to resonate with people who find pieces of their own stories in her lyrics.

As Cara continues to write and release new music, reaching a broader audience remains a priority — not for the sake of numbers, but for the opportunity to share experiences, emotions, and moments that matter.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?

I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve lived here my whole life. My whole family lives here so I’ve always been very family oriented. I have always loved to sing and perform, and I grew up as a dancer. I took dance class four days a week for 15 years of my life and in middle school I was involved in theater. I got my first lead role in the 8th grade musical, playing ‘Veruca Salt’ in “Willy Wonka”. I wasn’t very active in theater during my highschool years because I didn’t have time to do that and dance; however, my dance studio performed musical theater shows in Disney World every other summer and I was lucky enough to land lead singing roles in those performances.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?

I was inspired by Taylor Swift. When I was 15, I attended the 1989 Concert and I had this moment of realization that music was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I came home from the concert and the next day I wrote my first song, “Red Flags”. I fell in love with songwriting and have continued writing ever since.

Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

The most interesting story that has happened to me since I began my career is probably the “Toyota Tacoma” series I did. I wrote a song called “Toyota Tacoma” and went around to 25 different Toyota dealerships to sing it for them in hopes of getting the song in a commercial. The original video went viral on TikTok, garnering 2 million + views. I started getting recognized in public and people now call me the “Toyota Girl”. I did an open mic night and had a ton of people show up and that was the first time I had the whole crowd screaming my lyrics back at me which was such an awesome experience.

It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I think one example of making a mistake would be tending to take other people’s opinions too seriously. I am trying to teach myself that if I really like something then my opinion is the only one that matters. I’m trying to tell myself that I don’t need to ask people for their approval so I’m trying to be better about just going with my gut.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I would say I’m grateful to my family for all the support they’ve given. I love when I get a new song back and I’m able to play it for them. I’m also grateful for all the mentors I’ve had in life and for the people who have helped me get better at my craft.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

I am working on a really fun project right now that is still somewhat of a secret. I can’t wait to announce it. I’ve been working on it for almost a year now and it’s been such a hard secret for me to keep. I’ve definitely told more people than I should have but I’m just so excited about it.

We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?

I think it’s important to have diversity represented in the entertainment industry because it makes it more unique and not boring. If we had no diversity then everything would be and sound the same. We need diversity to brighten up the world so it’s not so lifeless. Imagine if every single song on the radio sounded the exact same. I’m glad there are so many people from different backgrounds sharing their talents with the world.

As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?

I would say the biggest challenge I’ve faced is dealing with negativity and hate on the internet. It’s really hard to open my phone and see a bunch of horrible comments about something that I worked so hard on and care so much about. I’ve learned to ignore it and honestly the hate makes me want to succeed even more.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?

1 . The entertainment industry is one of the hardest industries to break into. I had a bunch of people tell me this industry was hard, but I guess I never realized how hard it is. It can be daunting at first but I just keep pushing through.

2 . Being an independent artist means you do literally EVERYTHING yourself. There is so much more that goes on behind the scenes than you think. When I first started out, I would write a song and get it produced and record it and then release it. I didn’t realize there was so much more on the backend that I really have to do to get my music out there. I think the dreamer in me thought it was as easy as becoming an overnight sensation and it is not like that at all. There’s marketing, running social media, photoshoots, album art, voice lessons, band rehearsal, and so so so much more. These are all things that you have to be in charge of and figure out and it’s a lot more work than anyone thinks. Sometimes I get overwhelmed because I just want to be writing new songs but I know that the business side is also a really important aspect to succeeding.

3 . People will try to tear you down and tell you you can’t do this. There’s a lot of people out there that will try and be “practical” with you. Yeah, this is a hard industry and the chances of making it are slim, but if you really want it then you can do it, you just have to be dedicated and really put the work in to get where you want to be.

4 . Teach yourself everything and anything you can. The internet is so powerful now, especially with AI, there’s really no excuse for not being able to learn something new. I’ve been writing music for years and I wasn’t putting it out because I kept telling myself I didn’t know how to find a producer. Thinking back on it, I wasted a lot of time procrastinating on how to find one, when in all reality it was as easy as networking and meeting new people.

5 . Take risks. You won’t get anywhere by being scared and stepping back. I love performing live, but I always get nervous that I’m going to mess up. I just have to tell myself that no one cares. As long as I’m having a good time and giving it my all, it’s okay to make mistakes. No one is perfect as cheesy as it sounds.

Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?

My creative process is honestly different every time. Sometimes I’ll be in the mood to write but when I sit down, nothing comes to mind or my mind just becomes so overwhelmed with different song ideas that I can’t get anything accomplished. A lot of times I’ll think of lyrics or an idea while I’m busy so I’ll quickly jot it down in my notes app. I used to always write on my phone but I started handwriting and it’s helped my ideas flow so much better. If I’m struggling to find the words, sometimes I’ll strum a chord progression and start saying random words to see if anything sticks and if I find a melody I like. Other times the melody will come with the lyrics and it’s like the song basically writes itself.

Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart?

I think the emotion and realness of my music sets it apart from others. I’m pretty open in a lot of my lyrics and really honest. Even though it’s weird for people I know to hear me singing about my emotions, I love how honest I can be. I write music as an emotional outlet for myself so whatever I’m feeling is what the song will display.

How do you connect with your audience?

I love seeing my fans’ messages and comments and being able to respond to them. I always make sure to take the time to read what they’re saying and respond to them personally. I want them all to feel seen and I want to have those personal connections with them.

With your busy schedule and demanding performances, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?

I have to tell myself that it’s okay to take a break and relax. I tell myself that if I keep going and push myself too hard then I won’t be able to do the things I love because I’ll run myself down. Resting and relaxing is just as important as the job itself.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I don’t really think this is a movement, but I just want everyone to be happy. I wish that everyone could pursue their passions and be happy without having to worry about finances. That would be the best kind of world to live in.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

I would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with Taylor Swift because she is the reason why I write and love music. I want to be able to tell her how much she inspired me and how much her music has resonated with me and helped me. I was lucky enough to meet her momentarily at the Grammy Awards this past year. I gave her a letter that explained how much she has impacted my life and career. I can only hope she read it and knows, or maybe she’ll see this and I’ll be able to have that private meal with her.

How can our readers continue to follow your work online?

Readers can follow me on TikTok and Instagram @carapaigemusic and on Spotify at Cara Paige. I post updates on my social media and my music can be found on all streaming platforms under my name, Cara Paige.

This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!

About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.

Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold