6 Things You Didn't Know About 'Shower' Singer Becky G

The "Shower" and "Can't Stop Dancing" singer is the next pop princess.

ByABC News
December 13, 2014, 6:22 AM
Singer Becky G is seen here during her interview with "Nightline."
Singer Becky G is seen here during her interview with "Nightline."
ABC News

— -- intro: Becky G, singer of bubbly hit “Shower” and sultry single, “Can’t Stop Dancing,” is positioned for mainstream success.

This 17-year-old from Inglewood, California, is the next rising starlet to skyrocket out of obscurity in a matter of months.

After being discovered by famed producer Dr. Luke, Becky G signed a deal with record label Kemosabe/RCA, which has led to collaborations from Will.i.am to Pitbull. She has toured with Demi Lovato, Katy Perry and Jason Derulo. If that wasn’t enough, she is also the latest face of Covergirl cosmetics.

“Just the whole process of, from where I started to now, it's so cool to really see that dream come alive,” she said. “Of course, I'm nowhere near where I want to be in my career in the future, but I feel like I'm really starting to really get into it. It's only the beginning.”

“Nightline” was invited behind-the-scenes with Becky G while she opened for Demi Lavato and shot a music video for “Can’t Stop Dancing.” Along the way she revealed a few things about herself you might not know.

quicklist:1title:She Started Rapping at Age 11text:Just a few years ago, Becky G, whose real name is Rebecca Gomez, was among the thousands performing covers on YouTube.

“I started rapping at 11, which is crazy because, what was I rapping about? Barbies?” she said.

quicklist:2title: She Says Dr. Luke Offered Her a Deal After One Meetingtext:Becky’s YouTube videos, such as her cover of Kanye West’s song “Otis,” quickly went viral and eventually caught the attention of famed producer Dr. Luke. Known as a number-one hit maker, Dr. Luke is responsible for songs like Katy Perry’s “Roar,” and “Timber” by Kesha. He is the kind of producer who specializes in turning obscure teens into budding pop stars.

For Becky G, meeting him was the moment that changed her life.

“I sing songs to him on the guitar,” she said. “I was like, ‘Here, these are some of the songs that I've recorded and written,’ just started laying it all out. In 10 minutes, he offered me my deal.”

Since that fateful meeting, Dr. Luke has been shrouded by controversy, wrapped up in a lawsuit with Kesha who is accusing him of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. Dr. Luke denies any wrongdoing. His lawyers told ABC News that the allegations are “an attempt to extort Dr. Luke into releasing Kesha from her exclusive recording agreement.”

Becky G didn’t want comment on the situation, saying “I know nothing about it.” But she said Dr. Luke and her Kemosabe/RCA record label are like a “second family,” helping her navigate to number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her single, “Shower.”

quicklist:3title:Her Trademark Toothgap Is Here to Staytext:“The fans love it and then the haters hate it, of course,” she said. “It's funny because so many people have assumed, they're like, ‘Wow, aren't you rich now? Couldn't you afford braces?’ I'm like, ‘Yeah, I could afford braces, but why should I change myself to be what everybody else wants me to be when I'm OK with who I am and I'm happy with who I am?’”

quicklist:4title:She’s Never Known a ‘Normal’ Teenage Lifetext:“I’ll never know what a homecoming is like, or getting in trouble by the teachers, or going to the principal’s office… haven't had a boyfriend,” she said. “I've gone on dates but I haven't taken the time to really commit myself to something just because I have already so many other things going on.”

“But if I look at my life, I’ve had so many brighter moments,” Becky continued. “So I don’t regret making the decision that I made.”

quicklist:5title:Her Mom Still Drives Her Around, And Her Close Knit Family Keeps Her Groundedtext:“I may be the one with the talent, but I don’t have my license,” Becky said, laughing. “I need mom to drive me around and I need dad to still be bread winner of the house.”

Becky said her parents Alex and Frank Gomez have struggled financially over the years. At one point, their family of five slept in Becky’s grandparents’ garage. But her parents have been supportive of her singing career along the way.

“My parents are so cool, so chill, super hip. They know what’s up,” Becky said. “So you know, when I’ve got an outfit and it’s not too cute and I’m not digging it, my mom’s got my back.”

Her parents are hoping Becky triumphs over the pressures and pitfalls that often follow you on the road to super stardom.

“Whether she has 10 followers on Instagram or a million followers on Instagram, she still has to overcome a lot of temptation,” said Becky’s father, Frank Gomez.

“It’s constant reminders,” her mother Alex Gomez added. “Just the way I leave my 12 year old at school or drop off my 17 year old at the studio. It’s every day letting them know like, “Make sure you do the right decisions.”

quicklist:6title:She Wants to Stay True to Herselftext:Becky is adamant that she’s not a mere cog in the record label machine. Although her music video for “Can’t Stop Dancing” amps up her sex appeal, the teen said she’s still in control of her image and career. She answers critics in her song, “Becky From The Block” a cover of Jennifer Lopez’s “Jennie From The Block.”

“Sometimes you do get caught up in the midst of becoming... a product, a brand and not having a say in any of that. But Best believe, I have no problem speaking up,” she said. “I don't know if it's because I'm Latina or something, but I have no problem speaking my mind. It's all part of it.”