‘The Four’ Dish About Strategy for Annihilating Season 2 Competition [EUR Exclusive]

*FOX’s music competition series “The Four” returns for a second season Thursday night with host Fergie and Sean “Diddy” Combs, record-producing hitmaker DJ Khaled, Meghan Trainor and record label executive Charlie serving as the panel of experts.

For season two, “The Four” is made up of hip-hop singer Sharaya J., Latin pop artist Stephanie Zelaya, soul singer Carvena Jones and pop star James Graham.

EUR/Electronic Urban Report spoke with The Four exclusively ahead of the premiere about their performance strategy, biggest challenges so far and odds of beating the competition.

Check out our quick Q&A below.

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Power’ Stars La La Anthony, Naturi Naughton Reveal Struggle to Film Raina’s Funeral Scene

What’s been your strategy for giving yourself an edge over the competition?

CARVENA: My strategy is to constantly remind myself to remain who I am because that’s what got me to this position. And to not think about everything and to just feel. So that’s been my strategy and what I’ve been mentally telling myself because I feel like it’s really mental.

SHARAYA J: I made the decision that when it was time for me to hop on that stage, I was just going to do me and that’s all. I’m just going to get on that stage and do what I know how to do best, which is perform.

JAMES: I feel the same as Sharaya. I’m just going to go in and do me and make sure that give every ounce of energy and passion and love I have for music on the stage. So that way, no matter what happens, I know that I’ve given it my best and hopefully my best is enough to get me to the end.

STEPHANIE: I always carry that energy and that passion that I have for music and performing every time I go onstage. The stage is my home, and bringing that Latina spice separates me from other people. Just bringing that 100% authenticity every single time.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the process so far? 

CARVENA: It hasn’t been a challenge for me personally. It’s been growth. I’m expanding so much as an artist and more so just mentally from being around such greatness. It makes me want to go harder and give 200% versus 100%. So I think it’s just been growth and motivation for the most part.

JAMES: I’m loving it! I love being around everyone on the show. There’s such an amazing buzz around it all. I think the one thing for me is I got to get out of my own head ‘cause I’m my biggest critic.

SHARAYA J: There’s so much dope energy coming into this and it’s been organic and we’ve all been encouraging each other. It’s been a fly ride. Like James said, my biggest challenge is myself overthinking everything. Im just trying to make sure that I’m in a relaxed space and really living in the moment.

STEPHANIE: It’s been very exciting from the beginning. Obviously, it’s a challenge presenting yourself, but it’s been an adventure. I will say what’s been a challenge is that I’ll be singing in my native language and I know a lot of people in the audience don’t understand Spanish and that makes me what to put even more energy and more feelings into the performance. Music is a universal language so I want to make them feel the music even if they can not understand all the words.

How optimistic are you about winning?

SHARAYA J: I feel very confident. I know I have the stuff to stand there at the end and be the winner. What this show is looking for is that superstar, an all-around performer. One great thing about the show is that a rapper can go against a singer because it’s more based on that superstar sticking out and being able to shine. And with my experience and love for music and my love for the stage, I think I can hold it down.

CARVENA: I’m very optimistic. I know I have what it takes and I’m just a natural performer as far as really knowing how to relate feeling to an audience, and taking their words out of their mouth and what they feel and translating it into song. So I feel like I have a pretty good chance of winning.

JAMES: I’ve got all of the tools to not just win but go beyond the winning and then win in the industry and be on top in the industry after the show as well. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think so.

STEPHANIE: The show is looking for a complete artist — someone that can really connect with the audience and deliver emotionally, that’s what music does. I’ve been preparing all my life to be that entertainer that the world needs. People all around the world are listening to Latin music now, even though they don’t speak it, and this opportunity right now is perfect for me and I’m going to bring my all to that stage.

Season 2 of “The Four” premieres on Fox Thursday, June 7, at 8 p.m. ET.

Watch:

We can see why @Meghan_Trainor is fangirling over @itsjamesgraham. ?? Don’t miss more musical greatness when #TheFour premieres TOMORROW at 8/7c on @FOXTV. pic.twitter.com/tSN52zPdsQ

— The Four (@TheFourOnFOX) June 6, 2018

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!