Who will perform at iHeart’s Jingle Ball Village, get mentored by Grammy Winners and Win $10,000? You decide!
NAYA NENO
Must finish first in their group to advance to the Semifinals.
Voting for this round ends on November 19, 2026 at 10:00 PM EST
About NAYA NENO
I’m Naya, a first-year vocalist at Berklee College of Music blending acoustic pop, R&B, and indie influences. I bring an emotional, intimate sound to every performance, combining powerful vocals with activism and storytelling.
Performances & Content from NAYA NENO
Learn More About NAYA NENO
What makes you the Next Music Star?
What makes me the next music star is that I have something I genuinely want to say. Especially over the last year, I have been through a lot, and those experiences have made me realize how much I want to use my voice for something bigger than myself. I want to be an artist who advocates for people who feel unheard and gives a voice to people who may not have one. I care deeply about body image, feminism, equality, and making people feel seen and represented. Music gives me a way to turn those feelings into something powerful. I also want to create a world around my music that feels completely like me through my songwriting, visuals, fashion, and performances. I want people to listen to my music and feel something, but more importantly, I want them to feel understood.
What do you love about music and performing?
I love being able to emote. When I perform, I want to tell a story and make people feel what I am feeling. For me, performing is not just about singing the right notes. It is about connection. I love that a room full of people can all experience the same emotion through one song. Music has gotten me through some of the hardest moments of my life, especially over the last year, and I want to be able to give that feeling back to other people. I want my music to make people feel less alone. I also love that performing gives me a platform to talk about things I care about and advocate for people who deserve to be heard.
Who are your biggest music inspirations and dream collaborators?
My biggest inspirations are Olivia Rodrigo, Olivia Dean, Sienna Spiro, Billie Eilish, Lizzy McAlpine, and Yebba. I am especially inspired by artists who are deeply emotional, honest, and completely themselves. I love artists who can make you feel like you are inside their story when they perform. Those are the kinds of artists I hope to become. I would dream of collaborating with any of them, but I also want to work with artists, writers, and producers who challenge me and bring out new sides of me creatively. I want my collaborations to feel emotional, unexpected, and authentic.
What would you do with the $10,000 Grand Prize?
I would use the money both to invest in my career and to support causes that are extremely important to me. I would put a large portion toward recording music, production, visuals, content, and building my career as an artist. I would also donate to organizations and foundations I care deeply about, including body positivity and feminist organizations like the Feminist Majority Foundation. I believe that being an artist comes with a responsibility to use your platform for good. If I have the opportunity to grow my career while also helping people and supporting causes that matter to me, that would mean so much to me. I want to build a career that is not only successful, but actually makes a difference.
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Participation supports Musicians On Call, a 501(c)(3) charity, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.
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