@TheKelseyNykole, of VH1’s ‘Couples Therapy’, Shares Her Plans as an Urban/Pop Artist & Being a Positive Role Model [EXCLUSIVE]

Rising starlet Kelsey Nicole Byers, better known to many as Kelsey Nykole, is setting her footprints in the entertainment industry.  Kelsey Nykole is currently a cast member of VH1’s “Couples Therapy” Season 4, alongside rapper Ghostface Killah from the Wu Tang Clan.

Kelsey got her start in the entertainment business as a model.  Kelsey is currently pursuing her music career and plans on taking her career to new heights.  Kelsey has been nominated for music awards at the ‘Atlanta Underground Music Awards’ in 2012, as NYKKY B, and nominated for the 2012 ‘Indy Urban Music Awards’ winning ”Mixtape of the Year” & “Best Female R&B Artist” under the name Kelsey Nykole.  She was a chosen artist to open for the ”Paradise Tour” at the Indianapolis Tour Stop and also called to Louisville, KY to open up for rapper Trina.  The Indiana native known as “The Midwest Princess” discussed her accomplishments, her future plans, artists, and what she does in her free time during a recent interview.

How did you come up with the name Midwest Princess?

I didn’t come up with the name because of my swag. It was because of my passion and my drive behind my music.  I actually got proclaimed that by a few producers I was in a session with. I was really getting around the Midwest and I was running it, building a name and they said you were the Midwest Princess and it kind of stuck from there.

How has your life changed since you appeared on VH1’s Couple Therapy?

My life has changed definitely in a great way. It is changed in a sense that when I walk the streets and when I go places, I get asked by fans running up for photos and things of that nature.  It has brought a new platform for me to express my musical passion.  I been building a lot more of a fan base when it comes to the music and I get a lot more support when it comes to my music.  Which is amazing and beautiful, because you know you work so hard for so long. It comes a time when things start to pay off and that’s how it feels at this point.  It’s all good. My life has changed socially because I interact with my fans a lot more on social networks than I used to. I interact with them definitely when I’m out and about.  They notice me ’cause of my hair. It is my style and I can’t hide it. I can’t go incognito cause the hair it right there and it’s very noticeable.  It’s all good. My life has definitely changed for the better and I’m excited.

Tell us about your singing career as pop/r&b singer, songwriter and are you currently working on anything in the studio?

My career as an artist, as a pop artist is my life, it’s my everything.  I have been pursuing this dream professionally for almost five years.  It’s been going wonderful. I jumped out there. It’s been my passion since I was a little girl. I knew this is what I wanted to do.  Life hits and, in the teenage years, everything kind of blossoms out.  I had a tragic incident that happened in my family that really woke me up and made me realize life is short. I have people depending on me and I want to set a great example out here for the person that the tragedy happened to.  I really started to go very hard (that can’t stop won’t stop attitude towards pursuing my dreams) and something in my spirit really helps me with it.  This is my purpose and what I’m supposed to be doing.  It’s been amazing and over the years it’s been great growth, prosperity and blessings.  Keeping my name good and respectable, definitely networking and showing my face in the right places and to the right people.  Getting results, working hard, growing, developing as a artist and up to the point where it’s go time now.  It’s time to take it to another level. As soon as I was done in the studio working on a lot of great music, I flew to Atlanta  then to L.A., in the studio building a catalogue, writing and recording great music for my own project; be able to shop it to different artist out here. I’m definitely working on music and got a lot of great things lined up (a few music videos). Everything is all coming in due time.  I’m very excited for everybody to hear it. Right now, there is a leak of a song, kind of a viral song – a song I did with super-producer/Grammy-award winning producer, Looney Tunez, called “Can’t Feel My Legs”.  My actual single will be released in the spring and we are super-duper geeked about the world hearing the new sound and the music. So yeah, I’m working.

When you’re not in the studio, on TV or modeling, what do you do in your free time?

In my free time, I am working out, rehearsing, talking to family definitely, cuddling and loving on my child.  It’s never a dull moment with me. I don’t like sitting around doing a lot of nothing. Sometimes, I will pray. I’m always using my energy and time wisely to ensure continuous prosperity in my career.

Any artists’ music you listen to often on your iPod? And, if you could collaborate with any, who would you choose and why?

I am a hardcore Beyonce fan, definitely blasting her music.  I listen to Ghostface music. I listen to Amy Winehouse. I listen to Jazmine Sullivan.  If I could collab with anyone right now, it would be super-duper dope to collab with August Alsina. I think we could definitely make great melodic-hypnotizing-sexy music together.

Would you ever do a collaboration with Ghostface?

Yes, absolutely. That’s definitely in the making, so keep it locked. Stay tuned.

What is your biggest accomplishment in this field of work?

I think my biggest accomplishment in my field of work thus far, is being a role model, being inspiring to younger girls.  When I get tweets and get comments from younger girls when they want to be beautiful like me or they love my spirit – you know you such a good role model, such a good person. Just that love from these girls.  Knowing I’m that somebody they can look up to, to set a new standard, that’s what I think is great for me over everything.  I love entertaining crowds. I love the love I’m receiving and the support; getting that kind of response from the youth and from the next generation; being a new person to catch their eye and for them to pay attention to.  Knowing that I have to set a great example, gives me life. I love it.  That’s definitely what I plan to do. I have a vision board and one of the quotes I cut out says, “Pop stars stop saying you don’t want to be a role model because you’re”. We have a platform, there are people and kids looking at us all the time. They need something positive to look up to.  I definitely want to be that. Not saying there aren’t any positive role models out there, there just aren’t enough.  I definitely want to be that. That’s huge for me.

What else can we expect from you in the future?

You can expect everything from Kelsey Nykole. You can expect greatness, uncommon success from Kelsey Nykole, movies…the sky is not the limit.  I’m reaching for the stars and beyond.  You can expect great fashion from Kelsey Nykole, trend setting from Kelsey Nykole. You can expect great things from Kelsey Nykole, please believe that.  So keep it locked and stay tuned.

Do you think the Indiana Pacers are going to win the championship this year?

I think they have a strong possibility of winning. They are an amazing team and I’m rooting for them 100%.

So, you think they can beat the Miami Heat this year?

Oh yeah, definitely. They beat them before and they can do it again.

How can fans keep in contact with you with social networks?

You can keep in touch with Kelsey Nykole at HeyKelsey.com, I’m on the web on Instagram and Twitter @TheKelseyNykole. On Facebook and YouTube, you can search me at Kelsey Nykole. When searching for the kid, make sure you spell the Nykole (N Y K O L E). I spell it a little different.  You can hit me up on heykelsey.com and find the links for the social networks under Connect tab.  Hit me up y’all. Google me. It’s music, news, and interviews. Everything is there for you at your fingertips.