...Continued
An Awakening
To Gift A World
A Message
More Than Just a Cover
An Iconic Venue for a very special occasion
The Story
A few notes of interest before continuing Loren's journey. Over time, I've come to realize that those who view and comment on her posts, uploads, and interviews represent a community that's easy to relate to and comfortable to be part of. Despite the immense diversity among them, each seems to share an appreciation for the person she is, as well as the artist she has become, which speaks volumes about themself. To those who've reached out to me, your comments and support are warmly received. To anyone who may feel the label of "generational talent" is yet to be earned, your opinion is respected, as there are far too many talented artists in this world for everyone to agree on the same one. Perhaps what's yet to come will alter those opinions, but please bear in mind that this story has not been about rating or ranking someone's place in history. This series has been about the growth and transformation that can result from a new perspective and a newfound awareness. It continues to be a story about the potential that can be awakened within a person if they can summon the will to search for it, the dedication to nurture it, and the courage to give it wings. In Loren's case, it's less about the sheer number of fans and more about how deeply she has affected them. One touched heart can be worth more than a few pleased ears, seen time and again in this story.
Turning our attention to Loren, the 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 businesswoman but someone who's crossed into multiple music genres, as well as other media platforms. Loren has already shown her ability to impress us vocally across multiple genres, and will likely show similar versatility on other platforms as well. 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 her performance versatility, take a moment to enjoy these delightful mini vignettes. Theater format does not loop ... the 'Replay' icon is center screen.
Loren Allred, gleeful spirit
Loren Allred, sophisticate
Loren Allred, 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. 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, Loren stated that she would soon be releasing re-imagined versions of The Greatest Showman songs, along with a song from her recording industry days that was never released by her label. Loren later confirmed that "Clown" was indeed that never-released 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 Allred's emotionally charged, long-overdue cover of "Clown"
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It's important to recall Loren's starting point to appreciate how special this next event really is. That beginning, career-wise, was when Ne-Yo championed her signing with Island Def Jam via their joint venture in September 2010, having heard her on YouTube. Her first public appearance(s) were mostly promotional events for his new album. Her part of their duet remix, "Pot of Gold," was said by some to have outshone her mentor. The outlet streams of that remix, along with capacity-crowd appearances, should have marked the beginning of her rise to recognition, but Ne-Yo soon left her label to join Motown, leaving Loren mired in a no man's land of complex contractual obligations. When her only other ally, L.A. Reid, left a few months later, Loren's already-stalled career came to a complete standstill. Exhausted and depressed, she endured the ordeal of The Voice, then welcomed her contract expiration and walked away from the recording industry. Pivot from that TV appearance (Round 3- The Voice) on October 29, 2012, to this October 28, 2025, guest appearance at Royal Albert Hall, and you will surely view this moment in a different light. Having lived the journey within this story, she will now stand on a stage shared by Winston Churchill, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and hundreds of other legends from Albert Einstein to Muhammad Ali, for a performance that will soon be shown on TV and Cinema Theater screens throughout Europe, and streamed worldwide. Hats off to Westlife for wanting to bring new life to this song in creating a special dedication to one of their own, and for selecting Loren to help do so.
Some Perspective
Photo by Enrique
Royal Albert Hall, opened by Queen Victoria in 1872. Seats 5,272
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A Shining Moment
A Cherished Moment in Life's Circle
Loren Allred's special guest appearance with Westlife / "Flying Without Wings"
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Loren Allred / "Clown" Official Video, May 12, 2025
ITV - Oct 27, 2025, Westlife's 25th Anniversary Tour Concert
Vision, purpose, and objective; they can all become blurred along the way if success invites others into the journey. When that happens, your two greatest allies are your instincts and a reliable counterpart. The former has always served Loren well, and the added strength and solace of the latter is something we are all either grateful for or wish we had. Anyone familiar with my much-neglected Cognizant Soma site will immediately see the similarity of Loren's journey and the circle of life depicted there, from dreams and struggle to fulfillment in multiple ways. In Loren's case, so much lies ahead in both career and life. She has always managed to find the right path and navigate it wisely. Having a genuine, caring partner to travel that path with can only help her reach for her own star, rather than the ones that others would have her strive for. (Loren Alled's wedding photo by Forthephoto)
Loren posted her wedding comments and photos to her followers on social media in September 2025, although the event took place earlier in the year. I chose not to repost them on my pages, nor include them here at the time, wishing to respect her privacy. The news and images are now freely seen online, so I'm glad to finally acknowledge her special moment and place it here, relative to when she shared the post. Loren has often spoken, in interviews, of the support that her fiancé and best friend (now husband) has provided along the way, and considering the tumultuous ride she's experienced, it's hard to imagine anything more valuable during those times. I join with her circle of friends who attended, in celebrating their special moment, and I couldn't be happier for them. It comes at a time when the pressures of her profession are ever-increasing, and the comfort and support of a trusted soulmate are possessions whose value simply can't be measured.
For the regular concert the following night, they had requested Loren, who was flown in from New York, and suddenly found herself performing on a stage she had dreamed of standing on someday, 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, Loren's rich, velvet-like tone settled upon the verse, especially the word "morning", and blended so nicely with the other members, and the powerful finish gave everyone what they were hoping for. The surprise inclusion in the telecast and cinema release was a wonderful tribute to how this appearance was embraced by all, band members, orchestra, and, of course, the audience. I've replaced the original link with the official ITV broadcast upload, although portions of the introduction were edited out. The special acknowledgement of that night's performance is wonderfully expressed in backstage 'la bise' farewells afterward, which I hope to include below if/when I can locate the reel again.
With a World Music Award, four Record of the Year Awards, and multiple world tours, Westlife needs no introduction to music fans. The group was formed in 1998, originally comprised of Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, and Brian McFadden. Their third #1 single, "Flying Without Wings," won Record of the Year. Following three world tours, McFadden departed, and the remaining four became the group now known to so many. Mark Feehily's temporary absence, for health reasons, didn't stop the trio from touring. In June 2025, they announced that their "The 25th Anniversary Tour" would launch in October with their first-ever appearance at London's Royal Albert Hall, on two consecutive nights. The first night's performance was structured for filming a TV and Cinema Special, with the next night being a regular full concert. On both occasions, "Flying Without Wings" would be dedicated to missing member, Mark Feehily, it being his favorite song, and to make it special, the group chose to add guest artists to perform in his absence. U.K. singing star Kirsten Joy, of Clean Bandit, was chosen to perform for the TV & cinema filming session.
