Who is Alex Sampson? Jesus-loving 'AGT' Season 19 contestant wants to collab with 1D star
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO: Alex Sampson is a Canadian singer/songwriter and a Season 19 contestant on 'America's Got Talent'. He is best known for his hits 'All That We Could Have Been', 'Play Pretend', and "BLIND". A self-proclaimed Jesus lover, Sampson released his first EP titled 'Blurry Vision' on January 19, 2024.
Sampson, an internet star, delivered his debut EP, "Blurry Vision," featuring a selected mix of tracks spanning his late teens. To the vibrant rhythm of pop-punk guitars, Alex opens the EP's first track singing, "So young/what do we both know about love/true love, and the way it grows?," infusing it with the infectious energy that defines "Blurry Vision."
Lyrics like this showcase his keen insights into personal tragedy and the teenage experience, delivered with a captivating simplicity. Beyond the anthemic beats and Alex's powerful vocals, there's a profound sense of self-awareness and sophistication in his music.
As a devoted student of pop music, Alex draws inspiration from artists like Conan Gray, 5 Seconds of Summer, and One Direction, creating sounds that evoke a shared sense of nostalgia yet remain uniquely his own. Alex's youthful authenticity shines through in his work.
The EP includes tracks from the past four years of Alex's music. With a catalog of a hundred songs, Alex and his team each picked their favorites and then chose the ones that everyone agreed on.
The oldest track on the EP is 'Play Pretend,' Alex's most popular song, written over Zoom during the active Covid-19 period. Alex mentions that "Girl Who Cried Love" has a vibe reminiscent of Conan Gray. Interestingly, Alex almost joined three different boy bands.
Alex, a dynamic and talented pop vocalist, hails from Canada. Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, he spent his formative years in Atikokan, a village nestled between International Falls and Thunder Bay.
Alex has always had a passion for music, starting to sing and record his songs as a young teenager. His breakthrough single 'Cold,' a collaboration with Australian sensation Indiana Massara, marked a significant milestone in his career, laying a solid foundation for his journey as a singer.
Alex can be found and followed on TikTok, where he boasts approximately 3.6 million followers as of July 2024. Additionally, he maintains a personal YouTube channel, though it is less popular compared to his TikTok presence.
In late 2023, PEOPLE named Alex one of the Best Emerging Artists Making Their Mark This Winter.
'AGT' Season 19 contestant Alex Sampson worked at a grocery store before TikTok fame
Alex started out working at a grocery store, where he stacked shelves and cleaned. In early 2019, he began crafting songs in his bedroom and uploading cover songs on TikTok. His TikTok journey began in late 2018, and he quickly amassed over 150,000 followers before his account faced shadowban issues.
After facing shadowban issues, Alex created a new TikTok account, which he currently uses. Fortunately, one of his early videos on this new account gained popularity, helping him attract a supportive fan base.
Alex initially started TikTok as a joke, but after he began showcasing his singing talent, he gained momentum and started building a following or fandom. His supporters followed him from TikTok to Instagram and then to Spotify, where Alex debuted his first song.
One of his music videos, 'All That We Could Have Been,' has garnered approximately 15 million views on YouTube. The video was filmed in Atikokan.
In 2019, Alex had a potentially life-changing opportunity when Los Angeles photographer David Esterson discovered one of his Instagram videos. This led to Alex and his father being invited to California for photoshoots and song recordings. Subsequently, three music videos were filmed in Atikokan.
In 2020, Alex took a significant step towards his future as a touring singer-songwriter by signing a deal with Sony/ATV, the world's largest music publishing firm. This partnership means Sony will support him in his growth as a songwriter by arranging sessions and promoting his work.
'AGT' Season 19 contestant Alex Sampson grew up in a small town in Northwestern Ontario
Alex grew up in Atikokan, a quaint town with a population of 2,800 in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Surrounded by forests, lakes, and natural landscapes, it's a place where everyone knows each other, creating a close-knit community.
Alex has always had a passion for music, recognizing as early as Grade 5 that it was something he wanted to pursue for life. He fondly remembers performing 'Gold' by Owl City in front of 150 classmates.
Singing was Alex's original dream. As corny as it may sound, it has always been a part of his home, family, and childhood. His parents are Jennifer and Darren Sampson. Reflecting on his growing traction on TikTok and other media for his singing, Alex humorously recalls thinking, "I was kind of like, oh crap."
'AGT' Season 19 contestant Alex Sampson would love to collaborate with 1D members
Collaborating with Tate McRae, Jeremy Zucker, or Justin Bieber is something Alex would find exciting and fun, considering they are all Canadian artists like him. As an Owl City fan, Alex is enthusiastic about the prospect of collaborating with them, as well as with Five Seconds of Summer if the opportunity arises.
Alex has also shown interest in meeting Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and other members of One Direction. In a 2020 interview, he expressed a particular desire to meet Niall. With many individuals he admires, Alex finds it a tough decision but feels meeting Niall would be a priority for him.
He said, "He’s an overall great guy; his songwriting skills are incredible, and I really like where he’s taking his music. I feel like we would instantly click and have a bond. And of course, I’d love to write a song with him!"
'AGT' Season 19 contestant Alex Sampson is fashion-savvy
Alex has been experimenting with fashion to discover what he likes, feels comfortable wearing, and believes suits him best. His approach exudes an easygoing atmosphere. He prefers a T-shirt and jeans style but also likes to mix it up with leather jackets on occasion.
Alex avoids wearing a cheetah-print coat while in Los Angeles. He enjoys accessorizing with rings and a bracelet, and he has one ear pierced for added style.
Check out Alex Sampson's audition on July 9 on 'America's Got Talent' Season 19 on NBC at 8 pm ET
