The young singer started singing at the age of four. After moving from her native Edmond, OK, to Dallas, Mikaila sang the national anthem at sporting events and became a regular performer at Texas Rangers games. She was soon discovered by manager Marty Rendleman, who worked with teen country singer LeAnn Rimes. Soon after, Mikaila was performing nationally, including a performance at Carnegie Hall. She then signed to a record deal by hip-hop label Def Jam. In 2001, the 14-year-old entered the crowded teen pop marketplace with her self-titled debut album, confident in the fact that her hip-hop tinged sound would help separate her from her teen pop peers. ~ Jon Azpiri