Since first capturing hearts with his unforgettable ‘America’s Got Talent’ audition and the powerful original song ‘Who I Am’, Wyn Starks has established himself as one of pop-soul’s most uplifting voices. With a gift for blending soaring vocals, heartfelt storytelling, and messages of hope, his music has resonated with millions around the world, including an unforgettable appearance in the documentary, ‘I Am: Celine Dion’.
Now, Wyn is entering an exciting new chapter with his radiant single, ‘Coco’. Released on Juneteenth, the soulful anthem is a joyful celebration of Black identity, resilience, and self-worth, drawing inspiration from his own experiences and heritage while delivering a universal message of confidence and belonging.
Polly Havelock caught up with Wyn to talk about the inspiration behind ‘Coco’, finding his artistic voice, the artists who shaped his career, the healing power of live performance, and the advice he’d give to his younger self.
Hey Wyn, how are you doing?
I’m doing really well. It’s been an exciting season. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio, releasing new music, and it’s been really rewarding to connect with people through songs like‘Coco’.It’s always special when a song takes on a life of its own and finds the people who need it.
Your new single ‘Coco’ feels like a celebration of identity, confidence, and resilience. What was the first spark that inspired the song?
The inspiration really came from wanting to reconnect with my roots. I had the opportunity to visit Nigeria several years ago, and it was such a powerful experience. I felt this deep connection to the culture, the people, and the music, and ‘Coco’became a bit of a love letter to that experience. I wanted it to feel like world music meeting Afrobeat while celebrating identity, confidence, and joy. Releasing it on Juneteenth made it even more meaningful because it felt like the perfect day to celebrate where we come from and who we are.
The song speaks to remind people that their worth was never in question. Who were you thinking about when writing those lyrics?
Honestly, I was writing from a very personal place. I was thinking about my own community. I wanted to write something that celebrated Black identity and reminded people that our beauty, our value, and our worth have never been up for debate. That was the heart behind the song. At the same time, I hope the message reaches anyone who’s ever questioned their worth. Even though the song is rooted in my own experience, I believe that feeling of wanting to be seen and celebrated is something we all share.
When you begin writing a song, do you usually start with a lyric, a melody, an emotion, or something else?
For me, it usually starts with a melody. That’s almost always the first thing that comes. If a track really resonates with me emotionally, melodies just start pouring out. I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to lyrics, so those usually take a little more time. But once I know how I want something to feel, the melody becomes the foundation that everything else is built on.
Many artists spend years trying to find their voice. When do you think you truly found yours?
I knew I wanted to be a singer when I sang my very first solo in church at 12 years old, but I don’t think I truly found my artistic voice until I moved to Nashville. Working with different writers and producers helped me stop focusing on the things I thought made my voice different and start embracing them. The qualities I used to question became the very things that made me unique. That’s when I really started to sound like myself.
Your music blends pop, soul, R&B, and elements of classic rock. What artists or sounds have shaped the musician you’ve become today?
I’ve studied so many incredible artists over the years. Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Céline Dion taught me so much about vocal excellence, emotion, and storytelling. Stevie Wonder taught me that songs can have both heart and purpose. Prince showed me what it means to be fearless as an artist. Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, and Boyz II Men all influenced me in different ways—from soul and musicianship to harmony and authenticity. I think all of those influences come together to create the artist I am today.
Looking back at your journey so far, what moment made you realize that music wasn’t just something you loved, but something you were meant to pursue?
That moment happened when I was 12 years old. I sang my very first solo at Berean Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis—a song I wrote called‘Angel City’.Up until then, I had mostly sung around family and close friends. But seeing the congregation’s reaction, seeing that I could make people feel something through music, was the moment everything clicked. That’s when I realized music wasn’t just something I loved—it was something I was meant to do.
8. You’ve performed everywhere from Pride celebrations to major sporting events, including singing the national anthem for teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Twins. What makes a live performance special for you?
Live performance has become one of my favorite parts of being an artist. Early on, I struggled with stage fright, but that changed when I went on tour with Delta Rae shortly after losing my twin brother. That experience helped me heal in so many ways, and I couldn’t have been surrounded by a better group of people. It was also my first opportunity to perform my own original music on tour. From there came‘America’s Got Talent’, my own headline shows, and so many unforgettable moments.
What makes performing special is the connection. Seeing people sing the words to songs that came from such personal places in my life is something I’ll never take for granted. Those moments remind me exactly why I make music.
If you could speak to the younger version of yourself who was still finding confidence and identity, what would you tell him?
I’d tell him that he is enough exactly as he is. That he’s valuable, loved, and doesn’t have to earn his place in the world. I’d tell him to embrace the very things he thought were weaknesses, because one day they’ll become his greatest strengths. And I’d remind him that he doesn’t have to spend so much time trying to make everyone else happy. The more he embraces who he truly is, the more he’ll discover that’s exactly what the world needed all along.
