Becca Soldon: Making It Through The Rain
January 20, 2004

For over a year, teenager Becca Solodon experienced complications with her foot. After numerous doctor visits, x-rays and physical therapy treatments, a tumor was discovered. Becca underwent surgery to have the tumor removed but final test results showed a malignant remainder.

Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as sarcoma, Becca underwent several chemotherapy sessions before having her leg amputated at mid-calf on October 31, 2003 after doctors determined the operation was the only way to stop the potentially lethal tumor.

Throughout the entire process, music – Becca’s saving grace – kept her inspired and hopeful; and after hearing about her dreams of becoming a professional singer, entertainment heavyweights Sam Frankel and Jerry Heller of HQZ Management organized a fourteen-hour studio session with producer Damion “Damizza” Young.

When Damizza, the mastermind behind a handful of Mariah songs including “I Still Believe/Pure Imagination,” “Crybaby,” “If We” and “Irresistible,” told Mariah about the aspiring singer, Mariah appointed her as the opening act for a December 15, 2003 concert in Santa Barbara.

MariahDaily.com spoke candidly with Becca about her amazing journey – from cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy sessions, to meeting Mariah and performing live in front of thousands of people.


Mariah Daily: Upon the initial diagnosis of cancer, what was your immediate feeling or action?
Becca Solodon: When the doctors told me I had cancer, I didn’t believe it. My foot had been hurting for a year, but I thought it was just a small tumor that could be removed with a simple operation. I never thought that it would be malignant and when I found out it was I was shocked.

MD: What was your first reaction to the news that your leg had to be amputated in order to stop the spread of cancer?
Becca: My parents told me that I may have to have my leg amputated because the cancer I had was very aggressive and it may have to be a step that I would have to take in order to save my life. Still, there was the possibility that I wouldn’t have to have the operation done, so I hoped for the best. It was hard to listen to my parents tell me that the operation was really going to take place because just the day before I felt like any other teen just going to school and worrying about getting an A on my math test the next day. I knew that my life was going to change.

MD: Throughout this entire journey, what was the most difficult activity or choice you had to participate in?
Becca: I think that probably the hardest thing to accept throughout this whole time was going into the operating room knowing that I was going to come out of it differently. Of course I was scared as would anybody be, but I knew it was the right choice in order to save my life, so I had a sort of peace about it.

MD: How would you describe your personal experiences as a chemotherapy patient?
Becca: The kind of chemotherapy I had to go through was pretty intense. I was admitted into the hospital for a week at a time with a two week break in-between. Each day I had an hour break where I would be able to be off my medicine and go outside. The hardest part, besides being in the hospital for that long was coming home and having four days of my body trying to adjust to being off the medicine. Luckily I only had to be in the hospital for three weeks, but believe me, it seemed like an eternity.

MD: How has being diagnosed with cancer and having part of your leg amputated directly affected your life?
Becca: Having all these things happen to me has really opened my eyes to the real world. When I think about everything I’m going through, it seems like nothing compared to what other people have gone through or are still going through. It has also showed me how I have been blessed with so many wonderful people in my life. My friends and family were there right by my side every step of the way. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. They knew what I needed exactly when I needed it and were willing to give up their time to help me feel better about things. It amazes me still that people I have never even met before have sent me cards, gifts, and have kept me in their prayers. These people are what keep the world a beautiful place.

MD: It has been reported that you hope to become a famous singer. Who are some of your musical influences?
Becca: Musical influences…there are so many. I have a very wide variety of music I listen to. To name a few…First of all, of course Mariah. She has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard in my life. Dredg, Cave In, Coldplay, Radiohead, Norah Jones, Rufus Wainwright, Journey, Pink Floyd, Damien Rice, Justin Timberlake…anything by the Neptunes, Outkast, Living Legends, Talib Kweli, Bjork, John Mayer…the list goes on and on and on.

MD: A studio session for you with producer Damion “Damizza” Young and a group of professional musicians was set up. What was it like working in the studio with such renowned industry people?
Becca: Oh my gosh. Being in the studios was probably the most amazing experience I have ever had. It has always been my dream to record in a professional studio and I never once thought it would become a reality. When I walked through the halls of Westlake Studios, I couldn’t believe all the pictures and signed records that were hanging on the walls of the people who have recorded there. I can never thank these people enough for what they did for me. It still feels like a dream.

MD: How and when did you first learn that Mariah Carey wanted you as her opening act?
Becca: I first found out that Mariah wanted me as her opening act when we were mixing my song at Soundcastle Studios. Damion and Sam had me sit down first, then when they told me, I was more than shocked. I had known that she invited me to come to her show, but I never even thought she would invite me to be the opening act. I think I just sat in my chair speechless for probably ten minutes. When I told my friends, they couldn’t believe it either. My school received a call saying that I was opening for Mariah Carey and they thought it was a prank.

MD: Had you been a fan of Mariah’s music?
Becca: Yes, some of my favorite Mariah songs are “One Sweet Day”, “Always Be My Baby”, “Heartbreaker”, and “When You Believe”.

MD: Why did you decide on “Simon” by Lifehouse as the song you would perform and record?
Becca: I think the message “Simon” gives, everyone can relate to. Everyone has been put down by someone, in order to make the other person feel better about themselves. The song just gives people hope and lets them know that at one point in everyone’s life, we have all felt like that.

MD: As a member of your high school's jazz choir, you’ve performed live before. But were you nervous about performing by yourself in front of thousands of people at the Arlington Theatre?
Becca: I was nervous, but also very excited. I had performed by myself before, but I had always played the piano or the guitar as well as sang. This was a completely new experience for me, not having an instrument. Being out on stage gives me such a rush. It was probably one of the most exciting things I have ever done.

MD: News of your performance made headlines across the nation and across the world, appearing in South American, European and Asian publications. You were also featured in Rolling Stone, People Weekly and Star magazines. Do you feel like a celebrity now with all of the media attention?
Becca: I still can’t believe my story went world wide. I would have never thought anything like this could have happened. Even though there was so much bad going on in my life, it seemed like it was completely taken over by all the good. Who wouldn’t feel like a celebrity!

MD: After the show was over, you had the opportunity to briefly meet Mariah herself. What was that experience like?
Becca: Meeting Mariah was really fun. She is one of the biggest pop stars in the world, and there I was meeting her. She is a really sweet person. She thanked me for opening her show and she was happy to meet me. I thanked her for the invite and said that I was happy to meet her as well. It was a really nice experience and I’m glad I was able to share it with my family.

MD: What are your hopes for the future? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Becca: My hopes for the future are ones of happiness. In ten years I hope I will still be involved in music some way or another. Hopefully one day I can make a cd and go on tour. I’ve had a taste of the music industry and now I dream of making a living recording and performing.

MD: What do you want the world to know about Becca Solodon?
Becca: I would like to be known as a voice that rises up out of adversity to inspire and encourage other people who are struggling with everyday life and the challenges it presents. I hope to become an example of how determination and a positive attitude can open a new world of opportunity to anyone who dares to dream.

For more information on Becca Solodon, please visit her website at www.beccasolodon.com.