Stela Cole

Hollyn Elizabeth Shadinger[1] (born October 21, 1997), known professionally as Stela Cole is an American singer-songwriter. Her song “DIY” held the record for the most first week streams[2] on American Song Contest where she reached the semi-finals as a contestant for her home state Georgia.[3] Prior to ASC, Stela independently released her EP, “Woman of the Hour” (2020) and song “I Shot Cupid” (2021) through her self-funded label “Stelavision Records”[4] and Venice Music.[5]

Stela Cole
Stela Cole doing “the hand” at her LA Live Show on November 10, 2022.
Stela Cole doing “the hand” at her LA Live Show on November 10, 2022.
Background information
Birth nameHollyn Elizabeth Shadinger
Also known asStela Cole, Hollyn Cole
Born (1997-10-21) October 21, 1997
Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresPop
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano, ukulele, bass
Years active2010-present
LabelsRCA Records, Stelavision Records, Ultra Records
Websitestelacole.com

Early life

Shadinger was born on October 21, 1997, in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was adopted at birth[5] and grew up Peachtree City, GA.

Shadinger grew up playing goalkeeper, she injured her back at 15, ending her competitive soccer career.[6] After sustaining a serious back injury during a game, she turned her attention toward writing songs. After recording her first demos, she caught the attention of local producers who recognized her talent and introduced her to eventual manager Steve Sparrow. Sparrow went on to teach Stela how to write songs in a professional manner and is still her manager to this day.[5]

Shadinger graduated from Starr’s Mill High School in 2016 and sung the national anthem at her graduation ceremony.[7] She briefly attended Belmont University to pursue a degree in “Commercial Voice,” but dropped out to focus on her music career with RCA Records.[8]

Career

2018: Musical debut with RCA Records

In 2018, Cole signed with RCA Records which released her debut single "You F O" [9] and later on distributed her debut project "Throwing Up Butterflies"[10]

Later in 2018, RCA Records dropped Cole a week after she played them the demo of her song "Love Like Mine" due to creative differences. According to Cole, They wanted her to be a spin-off Meghan Trainor whereas Cole had a entirely different vision for her career and musical future.[8]

2020: Woman Of The Hour EP

In 2020, Cole started to roll out her EP "Woman Of The Hour" via independent music distribution service AWAL.[11] Before the release of the EP, every track was released as a single except Kiss or Kill which was released with the final EP delivery. The debut single of the EP was "Woman of the Hour.”

In a TikTok livestream, Cole revealed that she was able to fund her extended play, “Woman of the Hour” with the leftover money she saved from her RCA Records deal. Cole also stated on this livestream that she owns the masters to this EP and her song “I Shot Cupid,” therefore earning enough from streaming to pay her bills.[12]

2021: Success and signing to Ultra Records

In early 2021, Stela teased her single I Shot Cupid on social platform TikTok. She then she released it onto all platforms on 1 June 2021.[13]

Later in 2021, Cole officially signed with Ultra Records.[14] Her first single with the label was "Walking On The Moon"

2022 to present: Appearing on American Song Contest and preparing debut album

Cole also appeared in the first ever season of American Song Contest to represent her home-state Georgia. She represented Georgia with the track "DIY" [15]

Cole made it to the semi-finals of the show where she was eliminated.[16]

In present time, Cole is now working on her Debut Album which is set to release in 2023. She has already released several singles for the project including "Rhapsody In Pink", "Star", "Bye Bye Blues" & more. Cole has revealed that the album will chronicle the stages of a breakup from her point of view[17]

Discography

Extended plays
Title Album details
Let Me In (released as Hollyn Cole)
  • Released: January 12, 2016
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Throwing Up Butterflies
  • Released: August 10, 2018
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Woman of the Hour
  • Released: November 20, 2020
  • Label: Stelavison Records, AWAL
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles
Title Year Album
Maybe Love Will Last[18] (released under the name “Hollyn”) 2014 Non-album single
Bodyrush[19] 2017
Secret Lover[20]
You F O 2018 Throwing Up Butterflies
Throwing Up Butterflies
Woman of the Hour 2020 Woman of the Hour
Love Like Mine
Goldrush
The Day It Rained In Southern California
Graveyard Shift
No Man's Land
I Shot Cupid 2021 Non-album single
Walking On The Moon
DIY (From "American Song Contest") 2022 American Song Contest: Episode 4
Rhapsody In Pink TBA
Star
Bye Bye Blues
Roses 2023
Title Year Album
Edit You

(KREAM featuring Stela Cole)

 2019 Non-album single
Sweater

(Codeko featuring Stela Cole)

References
  1. "STELA COLE Trademark of Hollyn Elizabeth Shadinger - Registration Number 5447812 - Serial Number 87603709 :: Justia Trademarks". trademarks.justia.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  2. "Stela Cole Chats Her Upcoming Single "Star," Self-Care Tips, And Creating Music — Raydar Magazine". raydarmagazine.com. 2022-09-16. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  3. "American Song Contest 2022 Georgia: Stela Cole - "DIY"". Eurovisionworld. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  4. Lefuturewave; Lefuturewave. "Introducing: Stela Cole - Woman of the Hour - Lefuturewave". lefuturewave.com. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  5. Interview with Stela Cole, retrieved 2023-01-10
  6. "STELA COLE RELEASES ANTHEMIC NEW SINGLE "RHAPSODY IN PINK" VIA ULTRA RECORDS". Mundane. 2022-08-31. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
  7. Hollyn singing National Anthem at Starr's Mill High School graduation, retrieved 2023-01-18
  8. Interview with Stela Cole, retrieved 2023-01-15
  9. "NEW POP SINGER/SONGWRITER STELA COLE SIGNS WITH RCA RECORDS AND RELEASES DEBUT TRACK & MUSIC VIDEO FOR "YOU F O" – Sony Music Canada". www.sonymusic.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  10. "Stela Cole Releases Debut EP Throwing Up Butterflies Via RCA Records Today – Sony Music Canada". www.sonymusic.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  11. "Stela Cole "Love You Like Mine" | Kings of A&R". kingsofar.com. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  12. 26 AUG 2022 - Stela Cole - TikTok Live, retrieved 2023-01-19
  13. Cole, Stela. "Stela Cole - I Shot Cupid". TikTok. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  14. Major, Michael. "Stela Cole Releases New Single 'Bye Bye Blues'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  15. "American Song Contest 2022 Georgia: Stela Cole - "DIY"". Eurovisionworld. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  16. Stela Cole Performs "DIY" LIVE At The Semifinals | American Song Contest, retrieved 2023-01-10
  17. findyoursounds (2022-10-21). "STELA COLE DANCES TEARS AWAY ON "BYE BYE BLUES" OUT NOW VIA ULTRA RECORDS". FindYourSounds. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  18. Maybe Love Will Last by Hollyn, 2014-09-23, retrieved 2023-01-17
  19. Bodyrush, 2017-04-21, retrieved 2023-01-17
  20. Secret Lover, 2017-05-26, retrieved 2023-01-17
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