Chances are if you've been on singing TikTok, you've stumbled across Drew Ryn, a young artist that caused a large ripple through TikTok with her insane songwriting and vocal skills. At the mere age of 14 years old, Drew finished in sixth place on The X Factor in 2011, placing her in the public eye and the music industry.
Towards the end of 2019, Drew decided to give TikTok a try, and the rest is history!
Want to Write for The Teen Magazine?
Share your ideas and get published on The Teen Magazine. Whether it’s entertainment, wellness, or academics, your voice matters here!
Apply NowMeet Drew Ryn
From a young age, Drew was exposed to a variety of music. “My mom raised me on Christian music,” she says, "and my dad raised me on classic rock. This was all under one roof!” This very likely led to her auditioning and acing her performance on the US hit show, X-Factor.
In the face of renowned judges, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, L.A. Reidhe, her mentor Simon Cowell, and millions of viewers at home, young Drew was catapulted from singer to singer and songwriter.
"It was difficult but worth it all." Drew remarks. "I gained so much of my knowledge of the industry at an early age from that experience. It was the boost of confidence I needed to be where I am today!"
When asked about how the popular singing competition shaped her as an artist, Drew says, "I don’t put up with the bull. Being on TV is extremely difficult because there’s the constant worry of what picture might be painted of you, and that taught me so much about being poised, honest, and authentic."
A few years later, Drew found herself giving the trendy social media TikTok a try. Little did she know, this decision would lead to a community of over 1.8 million fans on the app alone, as well as 115k followers on YouTube, and 110k monthly listeners on Spotify.
On TikTok, Drew is known to have popularized the "Random Three Word Song Challenge" in which she chooses three random words off a generator and composes a completely original song around them.
"I just wanted a way to show people what I’m like in a writing session. I love to roll with the punches, and I LOVE themes. I’m all about the challenge. So what better way to show off my passion than to take something random and make it into something people can vibe to?"
In a recent video, she quickly formulated a song utilizing the words “oppose, chest, and orchestra.” This 60-second clip garnered over 12 million views and over 40+ thousand shares in a matter of days. In fact, it was so popular, Drew decided to officially release the full "Orchestra" hit as her first music video.
After amassing such a loyal following, it seems as if nothing can stop Drew from creating amazing music, even the pandemic. "I’ve had a good time being reminded that this industry doesn’t have a playbook," Drew asserts. "It’s been refreshing and worth something to learn new ways to put my music out there and continue my career."
However, Drew does have low moments. The unfortunate truth of fame is the "loneliness that comes with putting yourself out there in front of the world," she admits. "We all struggle with that. It’s a daily challenge to not let it isolate you from real genuine connections."
What keeps Drew going are the highs, the positives. Drew tells us, "the highs will always be seeing someone relate to the music that made me. When I pour my heart into a song and I see someone feel it, that is everything, that’s the “why” for me."
Quick Q's With Drew Ryn
Get to know Drew Ryn better with these fast facts:
Who or what is your inspiration for your music?
Prince, Celine Dion, Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana. Those are just a few influences I take into everything I do as an artist.
Who are your favorite artists to listen to?
Currently I’ve been listening to a lot of Harry styles. I can’t get enough!
I also can never have too much of Lennon Stella’s music.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Cheese. And that’s being fully aware that I’m lactose intolerant.
What are your biggest pet peeves?
Wet towels on the floor and smacking, haha!
What is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Spain will forever have my heart, I am dying to go back. But I truly love a lot of the places I’ve been.
If you could have lunch with any person in the history of time, who would it be? If you weren’t an artist, what career could you see yourself having?
Hellen Keller, I love people I can learn from, and I think the best part about all of us being human is the way we adapt to the lives we each individually live. And I’d probably be a news reporter or radio host! I’ve always been interested in doing that.
If you could have 3 wishes to be granted, what would you choose for them to be? If you could trade lives with anyone for a day, who would it be?
My three wishes would be: To be able to teleport. That my family could live forever. For the world to have unending grace for one another.
If I could trade lives with someone I’d trade with my mom just to understand her better haha. Sorta re-live a Freaky Friday experience, you know?
What is a dream collaboration you would love to do?
I’d love to collab with Jason Derulo or Lewis Capaldi.
What is something from your fanbase that you appreciate the most?
They love to surprise and to be surprised, and seeing them so happy and giddy reminds me that there is always joy to be had!
Thank You
Drew is good vibes all around! To keep up with her, make sure to follow her on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify!