...Continued

An Awakening
To Gift A World

A Message

More Than Just a Cover

An Iconic Venue for a special occasion

A brief personal note before continuing—Exchanging with Loren's community has felt easy and comfortable, despite the wide diversity. Her followers seem to share an appreciation not just for the artist she has become, but also for who she is and has remained as a person—setting her apart and them as well. To those who've reached out to me, your comments and support are greatly appreciated. To those who feel the label of "generational talent" may not have been earned yet, your opinion is respected—there are far too many great artists in this world for everyone to agree. Perhaps what's to come will alter those opinions; however, please bear in mind that this story has not been about rating or ranking anyone's place in history—but rather the growth and transformation that can result from a new perspective and a newfound awareness. This continues to be a story about the potential that can be awakened if you can summon the will to search for it, the dedication to nurture it, and the courage to give it wings. Although Loren's community is now huge, it's more about how deeply each listener is affected—one touched heart can be worth more than several pleased ears, seen time and again in this story.

Turning our attention to her current role as an independent artist and businesswoman, I'm reminded of other artists who have taken control of their careers and broadened their roles, one example being Lady Gaga, not only a savvy business person but someone who's crossed into multiple music genres and other media platforms. Loren has already proven herself across genres and seems poised to show similar versatility elsewhere. Now self-directed, she hires talented production personnel, quality musicians, selects boutique labels for distribution, and performs where she chooses. She seems to find the most efficient pathways toward achieving her goals and literally just has to point her finger in the direction she would like to go next. To lightly touch upon the "versatility elsewhere," take a moment to enjoy these delightful mini vignettes. Theater format does not loop—the 'Replay' icon is center screen.

Loren, the gleeful spirit

Loren Allred, sophisticate

Just a Brooklyn gal

In Part 1, just before the 2012 TV appearance of Loren on The Voice, I mentioned my focus on the Summer Olympics in London. The opening and closing ceremonies featured performances by rising UK singer Emeli Sande. There are more connections between the following three artists than most would suspect. Know that Emeli's first name is Adele, but she chose to use her middle name (Emily) because rising star Adele was already known at the time. Adele's "Chasing Pavements" was one of the songs Loren uploaded to YouTube while still in school, leading to her early signing with a label. A common thread linking all three artists was the early influence of Lauryn Hill. Regarding 'self', Adele's insistence on remaining herself strongly coincides with Loren's decisions throughout her journey. Emeli expressed a similar show of strength by adding a tattoo image of Frida Kahlo, a renowned artist who refused to adapt her style to suit her clientele. To my knowledge, Loren has never commented on her ink, but she has certainly shown her strength and resilience when needed. Then there is the fact that Emeli and Loren both entered the industry at roughly the same time, and both endured similar struggles within that process, although Loren unfortunately faced issues beyond just contracts and broken promises. By February 2012, Emeli Sande had debuted her first album, "Our Version of Things", containing the track "Clown", which portrayed those hardships and emotions experienced early on.

Aside from just interest, the connections above factor into the performance linked below, specifically the raw intensity and emotion seen and heard. The lyrics in "Clown" mostly reenact the struggles Emeli faced in trying to get signed by a label, while they portray the puppeteering and manipulation that Loren faced after the ink had dried. The memory of those moments alone is enough to account for the intensity evident in this studio release. But there is an additional factor that lends special importance to what you're about to hear. During an interview in 2025, Loren stated she would be releasing a song from her recording industry days that was to have been on her album, which her label never released, of course. Loren later confirmed that her cover of "Clown" was indeed that song—I'd love to know what else was on that album. Backstory aside, this recording stands on its own, impressively demonstrating the power of a memory and a shared experience and what it can evoke. The black-and-white format was the perfect choice for this video. The vocals, song lyrics, and story speak for themselves, so I'll simply suggest noting the number of shifts (20 or more) and the control throughout. This cover should've dropped 14 years ago. Enjoy Loren's version of "Clown."

Loren's emotionally charged, long-overdue cover of "Clown"

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Royal Albert Hall was opened by Queen Victoria in 1872. To appreciate the significance of this 2025 event, we should briefly return to 2010, when Ne-Yo championed Loren's signing with a label, having heard her on YouTube. Her first public appearances were mostly promotional events for his new album. In a duet remix of "Pot of Gold," Loren's part was said by some to have outshone her mentor. It should have marked the beginning of her rise to stardom, but when her two lone allies departed the label, Loren was left behind in a no man's land of contract obligations and a stymied career. Exhausted and depressed, she found herself offered as a contestant on The Voice—the final blow, after which she chose to let her contract lapse and walk away from the recording industry. Pivot from that October 2012 television appearance on The Voice to this October 2025 appearance at the Royal Albert Hall, and you will surely view this moment in a different light.

Having lived the journey within this story, she now stands on a stage previously shared by Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, and a multitude of other legends. Her performance would be seen on TV and Theater screens throughout Europe and streamed around the world. Hats off to Westlife for wanting to bring new life to this song as a special dedication to one of their own, and for selecting Loren to help do so.

Some Perspective

Photo by Enrique

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Moments in the Circle of Life

Loren Allred's special guest appearance with Westlife / "Flying Without Wings"

Loren Allred / "Clown" Official Video, May 12, 2025

ITV - Oct 27, 2025, Westlife's 25th Anniversary Tour Concert

One's vision and objectives are often blurred when success requires that others join the journey. In that instance, your two greatest allies are your instincts and a reliable counterpart. The former has always served Loren well, and the comfort and support of the latter are something we're all either grateful for or wish we had. Those who've seen my neglected Cognizant Soma site will note the similarity of Loren's journey and the circle of life depicted there, from dreams and struggle to fulfillment in multiple ways. For Loren, so much lies ahead in both career and life—having a trusted ally by your side can only help you reach for your own star, rather than the ones that others would have you reach for. (Loren Alled's wedding photo by Forthephoto)

Loren first posted her wedding comments and photos on social media in September 2025, though the event took place earlier in the year. I chose not to add them here at the time, respecting her privacy. Now readily found online, I'll add this special occasion to her story—I join with those who attended and others in celebrating their union. The support that he provided along the way was often acknowledged during interviews.

For the regular concert the following night, they requested Loren, who was flown in from New York, and suddenly found herself performing on a stage she had dreamed of someday standing on, one treasured by all who have stood in her place throughout history. It proved to be a special night for the audience and performers alike; so special that, afterward, her performance replaced the original first-night performance for the official ITV broadcast and Cinema release. From the moment she entered the song, the rich, resonant tone stood out during the opening lyrics, blending beautifully with Westlife and the other voices. Her powerful finish gave everyone what they were hoping for, and the surprise inclusion in the telecast and cinema release was a wonderful tribute to how she was embraced by all, band members, orchestra, and, of course, the audience. I've replaced the original link below with the official ITV broadcast upload, although portions of the introduction were left out.

With a World Music Award, four Record of the Year Awards, and multiple world tours, Westlife needs no introduction to music fans. The original group was formed in 1998 and is currently composed of Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne. Their third #1 single, "Flying Without Wings," won Record of the Year. After eleven world tours and a six-year split, they reunited in 2018 and resumed their world tours. In 2024, tenor Mark Feehily suffered a health setback, but his absence didn't stop the trio from touring. In June 2025, they announced that their "The 25th Anniversary Tour" would launch in October with a first-time appearance at London's Royal Albert Hall, on two consecutive nights. The first performance was structured for filming a TV and Cinema Special, with the second night being a regular full concert. On both occasions, "Flying Without Wings" would be dedicated to missing member, Mark Feehily, and to make it even more special, the group chose to add guest artists to perform in his absence. For the TV & cinema filming session, U.K. singing star Kirsten Joy, of Clean Bandit, was selected.

Photo by David Levene/The Guardian

Below: Shane's gesture and silent "amazing"

But First...