Meet SUMMER WATSON from Oxfordshire who moved to Los Angeles – four years ago to further her career as a chart-topping opera singer. She was the first classical artist ever signed to a £1million recording contract. Her debut album on Sony shot to number one in the US iTunes charts and number two in the UK. Summer has performed for the British Royal Family, the President of Israel, the Governor of California, countless celebrities and fans on the world’s leading stages including a Chinese TV special watched by 1.3 billion people. Summer has a festive single out on iTunes, called If Every Day Was Christmas.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
It’s the heart of the entertainment industry and therefore the place to be for any ambitious performer. Also this city was home to many of my favourite composers, songwriters and producers, such as Henry Jackman, Hans Zimmer, Michael Jay and David Foster, all of whom I’ve been lucky enough to work with since moving here. LA is a great place with great opportunities.
What one thing do you miss from home?
My mum. Especially our particularly British routine of doing the weekly shop together at Waitrose and then preparing the traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings and enjoying so many different types of veggies all inside the biggest Yorkshire pudding you have ever seen with Bisto poured all over!
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus the UK?
The weather. It’s just so much warmer. There is a real sense of outdoor living; hiking, running, BBQ-ing, social events all the time; people are always doing a lot here. Everyone is very health -conscious; greens juices, the latest on raw food, cool hike or hot yoga.
Do you have a hidden gem in Los Angeles that you want to share with us?
Vintage Enoteca, 7554 Sunset Boulevard, LA, think rustic modern…delicious small plates with a wonderful array of different wines perfect for the pre-screening hunger! (@ Harmony Gold or Directors Guild)
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Do your research first and a good way to approach that is by speaking to Brits in LA members via their Facebook page. Once you arrive in this land of opportunity…say yes to everything!
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