My name is Joanna Pacitti. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. As a little girl I can remember the first time I stepped foot on stage… the music started, my hands quivered as brought the mic close to my lips, I cleared my voice and sang. Suddenly I escaped the rough times that my family and I faced everyday growing up… and I knew that instant who I was and what my purpose in life was going to be. My Dad’s Barbershop, which was in the basement of our little row home, was the perfect stage to start hustling his customers for tips! I was hooked.
In 1996, at age 12, I was chosen to star in the 20th Anniversary revival of the musical Annie after entering a national contest that ABC’s Turning Point followed. (Barbara Walters told the story) After 106 performances, two weeks before I would star on Broadway I came down with bronchitis. I got a call in the middle of the night and was told that I would be replaced in the show and that I would be returning home to Philadelphia. The firing generated a great deal of national publicity. I appeared for interviews on ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America, The Rosie O ‘Donnell Show” American Journal and Turning Point, an in-depth report with Barbara Walters.
After coming back home and going to school – I had a new mission. I started writing my own music and getting a feel for a recording studio. At age 14 my demos were reviewed in “Billboard Magazine” and from there we had a lot of interest coming from different record labels. But my eyes were set on one of the most talented producers/executives in the music business. Ron Fair (CEO of Geffen records) – he signed me at the age of 16 years old. MTV followed the first year of my career and was featured in one of their “TRUE LIFE” documentaries. After being signed for over 5 years I finally released an album and I toured with Sheryl Crow and Nick Lachey. The record didn’t have any promotion so it was shelved. I was dropped soon after. Devastated and unable to make rent I moved back to Philadelphia… once again.
Everyday was torture not being able to do what I love and be myself. I felt empty and lost… I truly hit rock bottom. Thankfully I had my family and growing up in Philly I had to be a fighter and stay strong. But it was hard – it seemed so much easier to just give up and settle down. After moving around a couple of times and finally ending up in Michigan cooking, cleaning, and learning how to garden… I came across something that gave me hope. Sometime in June 2008 I saw an advertisement in the newspaper for “American Idol” season eight auditions. I hadn’t watched the show too much to be honest but my family tuned in every week. I looked online for the nearest audition city and booked my flights! I auditioned in Louisville, KY (which aired January 21, 2009) thinking that if I didn’t make it through there I still have NYC. I had no confidence at this point and just thought I would give it a shot. I stood in line for hours and made it through each round. I thought to myself… this is it! This is finally my time to shine and people will get to hear my story and be inspired. I was in Los Angeles rehearsing with the top 36 contestants and just got done shooting my package interview for my first performance where America gets to vote. (I had my outfit picked out and everything) I was asked to go to CBS for a meeting. I walked into a room filled with Producers, publicist, and even a psychologist… and I knew it was bad news. Leading up to this point I was getting a lot of negative feedback about my career before American Idol and that it wasn’t fair. But I knew in past seasons there were a bunch of contestants with prior record deals so I knew I wasn’t breaking any rules. But I guess I was wrong… they simply told me it was the “perception” they didn’t want attached to their show so there I was once again packing my stuff up and heading home. It was the end of the road.
I do believe everything happens for a reason and who I am as a person and as an artist is crafted into someone who is prepared to roll with the punches in order to make it. I take all of my experiences and I turn them into songs… and one day the world will hear about them. I am back in the studio writing and recording… I have never been more confident as an artist. I think more than ever I know who I am and I’m never giving up. Some people might say I have been pretty unlucky – but I think that luck is about to turn around.
<a href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=4206315&albumID=2863052&imageID=69308140&src=comment"><img src="http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/99/m_1d72257f8a8b4e32b38b6e7258e7f7af.png"></a><p>Check out my new collage!</p><p><a href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=4206315&albumID=2863052&imageID=69308140&src=comment">Get my collage</a> or <a href="http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.photoCube&albumID=0&product_id=177&src=comment">Create your own</a></p>
Comments
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Mirabel
Mirabel Wolseley
Very nice...I'm liking the sound. Keep it up.
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Holly
Holly Ellison
Very nice...I'm liking the sound. Keep it up
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†ShAnAy†
I like you songs
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Holly
Holly Ellison
Very nice...I'm liking the sound. Keep it up.
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Brittany
Brittany Lopez
Happy 4th of July! Take Care!
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di
Di dot
thanks Joanna for the add your page is really cool Joanna
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Stefan
Showing some love to your page!
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Lambros
Lambros Tsiorbatzis
hello joanna,i hope it's all well,have a nice day!!!
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1.K.R.E.A.T.I.O.N.Z
hey joanna....just dropping by....love the collide track...!
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Panties 4 Tuition™
Miss Jasmine
passing by to say hello, keep up the good work
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Jasmin 25K
Posted Apr 2 2010 9:53 PM