Q&A: Former teen star Tiffany Evans ‘confident and ready’ for a comeback

A decade ago, Tiffany Evans seemed poised for R&B superstardom.

After breaking out as a vocal prodigy in talent competitions such as “Showtime at the Apollo” and “Star Search,” the Bronx-born singer landed a deal at Columbia Records by the time she was 10. Roles in films such as Tyler Perry’s “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” and “Tarzan 2” followed as she was being developed into the next R&B teenage idol.

And when Evans’ self-titled debut was released in 2008, it had all the makings of a hit. Overseen by R&B-pop star Ciara, who was positioned as a mentor (the two dueted on Evans’ effervescent “Promise Ring”), the record boasted production work from chart fixtures that included Rodney Jerkins, Ne-Yo, RedOne and a pre-fame HitBoy.

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But the album peaked at No. 134 on the Billboard 200.

Like countless teen stars, Evans found herself stuck at the label. Unsure of a creative direction, she parted ways with Columbia and what would have been a second album was ultimately scrapped.

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Now 23, Evans is back with new music, releasing her new EP, “All Me,” and reintroducing herself. “I’m confident and ready to do this thing,” she says.

On a recent afternoon, having just put her 3-month-old daughter down for a nap, Evans discussed her early entry into music, her comeback and why she doesn’t feel like a showbiz veteran.

We are years removed from your debut. What has it been like for you, having started so young on a label, and now doing it on your own?

It was a big transition. I had been signed to Columbia for like 10 years. I was 19 [when we split] and it was scary. I hadn’t been outside of that atmosphere, so I didn’t know what it was like to hustle the way an independent rapper would. It was a choice I needed to make.

I had so many people from the very beginning telling me, “Tiffany, this is what you should sound like, this is what you should look like, these are the writers that we are going to bring in and the producers you are going to work with.” [My debut] didn’t come out the way I envisioned it. I was never able to speak up for myself and say, “This is not who I am.” I don’t think I could even start the conversation.

What helped get you through that period?

I was really going through a lot. You’re trying to figure out who you are [and] your place in life. I found myself doing things and singing about things that I normally wouldn’t. I’d see someone else and think, well, maybe that’s what I should be doing. What saved me was trying to work and test different sounds and looks. ... It all got me to this point of knowing who I am as an artist. Knowing what I want to say and how I want to look? All that takes time.

Was there a point that you didn’t think it would ever happen again?

Many times. I was starting to look at everybody make it, and wonder how have I been in this industry for this amount of time, and everybody is calling me a vet, but I don’t even feel like I’ve ever had a chance to prove myself.

Your last project was a mixtape that you gave away to fans. Was it tough to adapt to the DIY approach?

I was pregnant with my first daughter [Adalia, 3] and I thought, “OK, I need to do something.” When you’re independent, you have to keep the ball rolling and consistently put out music ... and throw yourself out there.

I wanted to put together a project that I felt great about. But I didn’t think I was ready. The music wasn’t mixed or mastered and we didn’t even have any money to do that. I just thought I needed to give my fans something. I owed it to them, they had waited for so long. The response was so unbelievable. Everybody who heard it thought it was an album and should have been. I went “Damn, what was I thinking?” I learned I should really trust myself more.

Before “All Me,” you scrapped a project. What didn’t work?

My emotions and the way that I was feeling were different and I felt like the project I was working on did not represent that. The tone, the aggressiveness. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. Whenever I’m going through anything, you guys will probably know. It will be in the songs.

When I was recording the project I was going through a lot personally. [The music] was everything I was going through at my relationship at the time. I felt like I didn’t want to sound ... angry. That was very important to me. So I set it aside. Since things were going differently, I wanted it to be more of what I am now, instead of what I felt last year.

What do you hope to show with the new music?

“All Me” is Tiffany the woman. I’m 23 now. I have two kids, but I’m still fine as wine. I finally feel polished. And there’s nothing that can put me back in a cage.

This is Tiffany being free and real and saying what she wants to say -- and being who she wants to be without fear. I took my time with the music. I’m happy with where I’m at and I think the music shows that.

For more music news follow me on Twitter: @gerrickkennedy

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