With TOFW presenter Jenny Oaks Baker being nominated for a Grammy award for her album, Wish Upon a Star, we had to steal her away for a second and get the scoop of what it’s like walking down the red carpet…
Where were you and who were you with you discovered that you were nominated for a Grammy award?
It was 11:00pm and I had just finished practicing with my two oldest children, Laura and Hannah. I knew that they would be posting the nominations on the Grammy website at that time, so my daughters and I went online to check. My husband, Matt, who was in Australia on business called us just as we saw my name listed as a nominee and started screaming at the top of our lungs. I guess Matt eventually understood my excited screams and we were all able to rejoice together.
My family, especially my husband, have been incredibly supportive. My kids were excited that they had something to share with their teachers and classmates the morning after the announcement. And they were excited to watch for me on the red-carpet at the Grammy awards. My husband has been amazing! He helped me feel like a true princess to get me ready for the red carpet.
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| Jenny and Suzette Bruggeman |
We loved your dress. Was it difficult to find a modest dress?
I have a dear friend, Suzette Bruggeman, who has been acting as my stylist. She spent weeks searching for the perfect dress for me to wear on the red carpet. She finally found me a BCBG Maxazria gown that is modest and elegant. I love my dress and will always be grateful to Suzette for helping me find it. She and her husband were also able to attend the Grammys with us. She looked stunning in her modest green gown. We both got many compliments on our gowns and I felt every bit as stylish. Modesty really stands out and I’m grateful I chose to remain modest!
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| Jenny on the red carpet behind Alicia Keys |
What was one of your favorite moments during the night?
I LOVED walking the red carpet! At the end of the carpet, there is a wall of photographers who take a million pictures of you as they yell out your name hoping you will look straight out at their camera. I was there right between Alicia Keyes and Diana Ross. That was pretty amazing!
I LOVED walking the red carpet! At the end of the carpet, there is a wall of photographers who take a million pictures of you as they yell out your name hoping you will look straight out at their camera. I was there right between Alicia Keyes and Diana Ross. That was pretty amazing!
What thoughts and feelings did you have after finding out that you didn’t win the Grammy?
I was REALLY disappointed that I did not win, and so I spent a bit of the night trying to keep my tears from ruining my makeup. However, I know that the Lord loves me and that He still has a plan for me. It is His plan, and He has never let me down. His plan seems to want me to stay humble, and deep down I am grateful for this. I am truly grateful that I was nominated. It has already opened up many doors for me, and has enabled my music to be heard by so many more people, many of whom are not of my faith. I hope to continue to build bridges between religious through the unifying power of good music. I hope to continue to record and perform and do what the Lord would have me do. I want to be an instrument in His Hands, and I don’t need a Grammy Award to do so.
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| Jenny with Jane Seymour |
What advice do you offer to other LDS youth who want to be musicians or artists?
I would encourage them to work as hard as they can now because they really need to get as much training as possible while they are young. I would plead with them to hold tightly to the rod. The Arts are a powerful medium, and Satan will tempt them so that He can use their talents for His purposes instead of for building the Kingdom. We can all go farther with the Lord’s help than without it. The Lord has a plan for each of us, and we just have to be ready and worthy for it. I have lived an incredible life, and I owe everything to the Lord. I KNOW that if I had not kept the commandments when I was young, I would not have been blessed with what I have now. I am so grateful to have a beautiful family and a firm testimony.
A Whole New World performed by Grammy nominee Jenny Oaks Baker
A Whole New World performed by Grammy nominee Jenny Oaks Baker
