Taylor Swift. Olivia Rodrigo. Billie Eilish. Lorde. Each of these musicians has made it big with chart-topping singles, loyal fan bases and worldwide recognition. However, all of these musicians share the commonality of kickstarting their careers in high school. 

In fact, performing for massive crowds under blinding stage lights is a dream for many young students, but harsh criticism and the difficulty of breaking into the music world mean only a few can achieve their dreams.

Yet, to sophomore Alexis Sofia Monteleone, who goes by the stage name “Lexi Sofia,” a life of stardom isn’t just her fantasy, it could be her future. 

“The second I get home, I sing. Even in class, I’ll sing and [not realize] I was singing. I sing so much to the point where it’s a natural thing to me,” Monteleone said.

For as long as she can remember, Monteleone’s family has spent their time in the spotlight. Her father, Joseph Monteleone, is a member of Monte and the Machine, a rock band she often sings backup harmonies for. Her sister, Teresa Monteleone, has performed with Josh Groban and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, as well as with her own group, Polluted Rain, an alternative band boasting idiosyncratic pulses and a mainly acoustic repertoire. 

Emboldened by her family, Monteleone released her first single, “Crying Skies,” in October 2024. Opening with a moody jazz piano, the song soon transitions into a steady, muted beat, highlighting her deep emotion and powerful vocals. 

“I was in a really dark time and place [where I] felt like a cloud was following me everywhere I went. I thought it would be a cool metaphor to have the sky crying and [have the storm] relate to [myself] crying,” Monteleone said. “I wrote the song; [Teresa] recorded all of the music.”

In addition to releasing music, the Monteleone family shares a passion for performing live. Monteleone often collaborates with her siblings and father at local gigs, where she sings “Crying Skies” for a ready audience.

“I was really excited to sing live [for the first time] because I’m a very outgoing, loving person [and] it just felt natural to me,” Monteleone said. “I really want to be a successful singer-songwriter. I know it’s not good for me to say, ‘When I grow up, I’m going to be famous and rich,’ but that is the goal.”

While she feels at home on stage, school is a different story, one where she’s often judged. Since the release of Monteleone’s song, she has faced mockery and derision from her peers. Although the criticism is expected, it’s a struggle to rise above the opposition.

“I feel like people at school misunderstand me a lot, and I get made fun of for ‘Crying Skies’ so much. [People] were playing it out loud in class the other day. [They also] play it on the bus. That impacted [my mental health and made] me cry a lot,” Monteleone said. 

In difficult times, Monteleone relies on her faith to find the strength to persevere. To the young artist, Christian music represents a blending of her passions and a source of inspiration.

“I’m a Jesus freak. [I listen to a lot of] Forrest Frank, [and] I think his lyrics are really inspiring. I went to his concert, and I try to [apply] his lyrics [to my daily life] because I really love Jesus,” Monteleone said. 

Like Frank, she chooses to avoid explicit words in her songs, instead opting for clean alternatives to honor her religious devotion.

In addition to religious tracks, Monteleone often draws personal connections to other artists she enjoys, namely pop star Ariana Grande.

“I like to cover [Grande] and songs from Victorious, [a show she stars in]. Whenever I [hear Grande] sing, I [try] to [replicate her vocals]. My dad always says, ‘Try to be your favorite artist, but better than them,’” Monteleone said. “I think [Grande] has a crazy vocal range, and I want to be like that one day.”

It’s not just vocal ability that she hopes to share with Grande. Despite the obstacles she’s faced, Monteleone is still fighting for fame.

“What really force[s] me to write is [the fact that] if I want to be successful one day, I cannot be embarrassed about coming out with a song. I was 14 when I [wrote] ‘Crying Skies,’ and I was like, ‘You know what? If I’m going to get made fun of—[and] I know my song is going to get [hate—I have to remember that] they’re going to see me playing on a stage [someday].’” Monteleone said.

Despite the challenge of balancing high school with a musical career, Monteleone continues to write, practice and perform as often as she can. With family, faith and determination at her side, she hopes to follow in the footsteps of the artists who once stood where she is now, a teenager with ambition, talent and the courage to keep singing.

To check out Monteleone’s music, visit @lexisofiamusic on Instagram or Lexi Sofia on Spotify.

This story was originally published on Pathfinder on September 26, 2025.