This week’s Meet a Mom interview is with rising country star and former American Idol standout Sarahbeth Taite!
With the support of her parents, Sarahbeth signed her first record deal at just 14, and drove herself to Nashville at age 17. But it wasn’t until five years later, in 2020, when she put an old single, Long Way, onto TikTok—and garnered 9 million streams of the video and a #1 spot on iTunes, that she started to receive national attention.
Since then, she’s performed in front of Katy Perry and other celebrity judges on American Idol, signed with DA Music, and welcomed her first child with her husband , a daughter named Isla (1).
The Local Moms Network asked Sarahbeth about balancing her growing career and being a new mom, her not-so-overnight success, and more.
When Long Way blew up on TikTok, did it feel like overnight success—or a long time coming?
It did feel like a long time coming. I signed my first publishing deal when I was 14, and I’d been at it for years when Long Way came out. I had some disappointments, including another record deal that almost happened. This was the first time I had that connection directly from me to fans on social media.
Would you let your daughter become a musician as well?
I think about that a lot. My parents were so supportive in letting me go and fly. Parenthood is this process of letting go. I am really taking note of what my parents did; no matter what I picked they would have been all in. My brother joined the army and enlisted. They were terrified but supported that, too.
How do you balance your relationship with your husband, new baby, and growing career?
It is not always easy but I feel like we take it truly week by week and sometimes day by day. It’s not a 9 to 5 office job and that’s a blessing. For the first year of Isla’s life she came to the studio and meetings – everywhere. My husband is so supportive of my career and I’m supportive of his. As mom we feel damned if we do and dammed if we don’t, so I’m just trying to feel present whether at home or work.
What was it like being on American Idol?
It was such a wild experience. I’ve been in Nashville for almost 10 years now and this was my first time auditioning like that. The pressure is so heightened with the cameras and the celebrity judges. I auditioned in Nashville and my husband was there and it was so special getting through and the golden ticket. I got to knock it off my bucket list, but Hollywood was hard for me. I made it through the first round but went home the second round. I obviously was bummed to go home but I was also relieved because every round it felt like more pressure, and I missed just singing to a live audience with country music fan who just want to hear a good so
Who was your favorite judge?
My favorite was probably Lionel [Richie]. I just love him I’m just a huge fan and he’s so kind but I was the most start struck by Katy Perry. Singing in front of her was the most surreal thing.
Why do you think your songs like Pretty Good Living resonate with so many moms?
That song exactly describes this phase of life so well. It’s honest – and goes through the struggle and beauty of this season with little kids. And that’s a shared experience that we are living..
What’s your 5-minute beauty routine these days?
My holy grail right now, because my hair is thinning so badly after having a baby, is the Shark Flexstyleversion of the Dyson Airwrap. It makes me feel like a new person every day. Concealer is the one thing I can’t live without. I use the Revolution Beauty IRL Filter Finish Concealer. Then I use Tarte Blush Tape – it’s a liquid. And maybe do my eyebrows, I use Too Faced Pomade; a pencil, in the Taupe shade.
What’s next for you?
Lots of new music coming soon!