Every day, Sophia Del Carmen balances vocal coaching, dance lessons, recording time, working out with her trainer and school. Focused and determined, she strives to make her voice heard.

Del Carmen was dubbed the winner of the Mega Estrella contest and was awarded a record deal with Universal Latino. When she was announced the winner, she knew she wasn’t going to let her chance slip away.

UP: Where did the competition take place?

Del Carmen: The competition took place at a Latin Club in downtown Miami called Kukaramakara and the show went from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. A lot of people showed up. The place was so packed you couldn’t move. I was so happy to see so many people come out to support me. Just my family and friends took over one of the VIP sections of the club.

UP: What were your first thoughts before going on stage to perform?

Del Carmen: I got to perform twice for the public and judges. I performed a ballad and a dance song. My goal was to show them my vocal range in the ballad and my performing skills in the dance song. I had dancers and everything for my dance number.

I was very nervous. I just remember pacing back and forth waiting for my turn. I knew that this was my one shot and one mistake could cost me the record deal. I was terrified. I promise you I couldn’t even breathe at one point.

UP: How was the winner announced?

Del Carmen: The decision period took about an hour but it felt like a lifetime. I was so anxious during that time I began pacing again. When the decision was made, the four judges stepped onto the stage and began discussing the competition and saying that they were looking for a complete package. Then Ernie De Jesus from Universal Latino’s radio department said, “Where’s the blondie?” I won!

UP: Now that all of your hard work has paid off and you have received a record deal, what are your plans for the future?

Del Carmen: Universal’s plans for me are to get into the studio as soon as possible and work with different producers. Universal wants to release my first single by February 2009. My music will be Latin pop with urban influences. My lyrics will be both in English and in Spanish. We plan to cross over to the English market quickly, as long as the timing is right.

UP: Do you plan on continuing your education at FAU?

Del Carmen: Next semester I plan on going from [being] a full-time student to part-time. I am going to try to continue with my studies, but I will not hesitate to take a break from school if time does not permit. I am a hard worker and thrive off of challenges. So I don’t mind staying up a few hours extra to study or finish a paper, as long as it does not jeopardize my music.

To listen to some of Sophia’s songs log on to www.myspace.com/sophiaenespanol