Paxton (singer) facts for kids

Paxton Fielies (born September 17, 2000), known simply as Paxton, is a singer, songwriter, and helper of others from South Africa. She became famous in 2017. This happened after she won the 13th season of Idols South Africa. She is the youngest South African girl to ever win this singing competition.

Life and Career

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Paxton Fielies was born on September 17, 2000, in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town. When she was 7 years old, she started singing in her church choir. This is where her love for music began.

In 2013, she left the choir to focus on her schoolwork. But she kept singing! She started sharing her own versions of popular songs online. Her cover of "Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith became very popular. Many people watched it.

Winning Idols South Africa

Paxton's mom was a big reason she decided to try out for Idols South Africa. Paxton saw 2017 as a year to take chances. She knew it would be a lot of hard work. She could focus on school or try to become a singer. She wanted to be more than just an Idols winner.

Paxton was the very first person to get a "Golden Ticket" in the Cape Town auditions for Idols Season 13. She sang "Confetti" by Tori Kelly. During "Theatre Week," her performance of "American Boy" by Estelle helped her get into the top 16.

Some of her most memorable performances on the show included "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland and "Listen" by Beyoncé. She sang her first song, "Demonstrate," during her last performance on the show. Paxton was the youngest person to win Idols since Jody Williams in 2007.

After Idols: Music and Success

After winning Idols, Paxton was very busy. She gave many interviews and performed live. She also appeared on TV talk shows. Her first big performance was in December 2017. She sang at the "Cape Town Festival Of Lights."

She kept promoting her music, including her first song, "Demonstrate." This song was the first one from her first album. She started recording her album in January 2018.

New Songs and First Album

On February 9, 2018, Paxton released a song called "Smother." She sang it with another artist, Craig Lucas. This song was very popular. It reached number one on many South African music charts. It even became a "gold" song in June 2019. This means it sold a lot of copies!

In May 2018, Paxton shared a preview of her next song, "Angifuni." It was released on May 18, 2018. People loved this song too. They liked its Afro-Pop style and that it used the Zulu language. "Angifuni" became her most successful song so far. It reached number one on the charts.

On June 1, 2018, Paxton's first album, This Is Me, came out. You could download or stream it online. People liked the album because it had different music styles. Later, you could buy physical copies too.

In July 2018, Paxton traveled to Russia. She performed at the "White Nights of Saint Petersburg" Festival. This is a very big cultural event. When she came back to South Africa, she opened for R&B singer Karyn White's concert tour. In September 2018, after her 18th birthday, she went on a club tour to share her album even more.

In October 2018, "Where Are You Now?" was released. It was the third song from her album This Is Me. She also sang the South African national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, at the Currie Cup Finals in 2018.

2019 and Beyond

In January 2019, Paxton was on the cover of Club X magazine. In February, she opened for R&B singer Tamia's concert in Cape Town.

On March 13, 2019, Paxton released "Kiss The Haze." This song was with another artist named Tresor. It also came with a music video. People liked the song's music. On March 25, 2019, Paxton performed in Los Angeles, California. Because of this performance, she got a chance for an international recording deal.

In April 2019, she was nominated for two awards at the South African Music Awards. These were for Best Pop Album and Newcomer of the Year. In May 2019, she sang on a song called "Catch Me" for Yanga's album. On November 15, 2019, she released a new song, "No Distractions," with DJ Dr Moruti.

In 2023, Paxton released her second album, 23:23. This album includes songs like "So High" with Shekhinah, "Be There" with Majorsteez, and "Touch & Go."

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

Paxton also uses her voice to help others. In April 2018, she went to Sweden for the World Children's Prize Foundation ceremony. She sang there with other performers and Queen Silvia. Paxton and seven other young people received an award. They became ambassadors for the queen's "You, Me: Equal Rights" campaign. This campaign teaches about equal rights for all children. She went back to Sweden for the ceremony in 2019.

Paxton also helped with an anti-bullying campaign called "Raise your voice, not your phone." This campaign teaches people about the dangers of bullying. It also warns against sharing videos of bullying online.

She has performed at special concerts to raise money for good causes. For example, she sang at the "CHOC Benefit Concert." This concert helps children with cancer. She also helped raise awareness about hunger among children with the Peninsula School Feeding Associations.

Personal Life

Paxton has put her high school studies on hold to focus on her music career.

In late 2018, she experienced cyber-bullying. This is when someone uses the internet to be mean to others. Paxton later spoke out about this. She said that bullying can really hurt young people's feelings and confidence.

Discography

Studio Albums

• This Is Me (2018)
• 23:23 (2023)

Singles

• Demonstrate (2017)
• Smother (with Craig Lucas) (2018)
• Angifuni (2018)
• Where Are You Now? (2018)
• Kiss The Haze (with Tresor) (2019)
• No Distractions (with Dr Moruti) (2019)
• So High (with Shekhinah) (2023)
• Be There (with Majorsteez) (2023)
• Touch & Go (2023)

Concert Tours

Opening Act

• Karyn White – Divas 2018 (2018)
• Tamia – Passion Like Fire Tour (2019)

Awards and Nominations