Melanie Martinez

Melanie Adele Martinez (born April 28, 1995) is an American singer-songwriter, visual artist, and director known for her distinct conceptual pop sound and highly stylized aesthetic. Born in Astoria, Queens, and raised in Baldwin, New York, Martinez first gained national attention in 2012 as a contestant on the American television vocal competition The Voice. Her unique audition of Britney Spears's "Toxic" earned her a spot on the show, where she advanced to the Top 6 before her elimination.

Following her departure from The Voice, Martinez shifted her focus to independent original material. After initially experimenting with different sounds, a pivotal 2013 studio session with production duo Kinetics & One Love resulted in the track "Dollhouse." This song established her signature dark-pop style and introduced the conceptual "Cry Baby" character that would define her early career.