'Sunday Best' Winner Y'Anna Crawley Takes the Buzz Blitz

Y'Anna Crawley is the season two winner BET's hit music competition series 'Sunday Best.'

The Washington, DC native had recorded background vocals for the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Glenn Jones, Raheem DeVaughn, Angie Stone and Chrisette Michele before auditioning for 'Sunday Best' and ultimately winning the show last year.

Crawley is now set to release her debut CD, 'The Promise,' on Aug. 22 via a venture between BET and Imago Dei Music Group.

The CD's title track is the project's first single and the album also features Crawley's remake of Anita Baker's 'Sweet Love,' as well as her powerful interpretation of Bill Wither's 'Grandma's Hands'

BV Buzz caught up with the singer and had her take our Buzz Blitz.

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What's the greatest lesson you've learned since doing a reality television show?

I've learned now that my life is under a microscope at all times. Honestly, I've learned that being on a televised competition really takes hard work, endurance and dedication to become what it is you set out to be!

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would you choose?

I would have to choose two people: Michael Jackson, may he rest in peace, and Beyonce. They are the greatest entertainers to me.

Anita Baker, Chaka Khan and Mary J. Blige are performing concerts at the same time and you can only go to one. Which one would you chose and why?

Wow, thi

s is hard because I love each of their voices and have learned different things from each of them. However, if I had to choose one I would choose Mary J. I respect her in a lot of ways! Her heart, passion and music – it's all there. She's going to make me cry, dance and feel good about being who I am as a woman now as well as where I'm headed on my journey.

What's one of your pet peeves?

Phony people! I figure if I keep it real with you, you should reciprocate the same.

If you weren't a singer, what would you do professionally?

I would be working as a make-up artist and a cosmetologist.

If there was a reality television show named after you what would it be called?

'Singing in the Background!' It's a concept that my manager John Hart presented to me. It would consist of artists who have been attempti

ng to break into the industry by working their way through the ranks singing background for other artist. Knowing you're just as good or even better than the artist you work for, but committing to persevere through sleepless nights, learning new material in record time and long hours of rehearsal. Simply working hard in the background for someone else until your opportunity presents itself. This is how I got my start as well as my sister friend Kelly Price and "Uncle" Dave Hollister.

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For more information on Y'Anna Crawley and 'The Promise', visit her online at www.YannaCrawley.net

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For related stories, read: 'Comic Rodney Perry Takes the Buzz Blitz'

& 'Anita Baker Dropping First CD in Five Years.'

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