“Do we ignore the gifts God has blessed our kids with, and stay in our comfortable way of life, or do we step out on faith and see where God takes us?”
It takes a lot of courage to ask that question and even more courage to follow wherever the answer may lead. But Jana Beckham would say it is well worth the trip! Jana and her family stepped out in faith and as a result her two children, Taylor and Braxton, now have singing and acting careers that have brought them into the national spotlight.
“My husband and I never dreamed our children would be a part of the entertainment industry. It was not something that we sought out in the beginning,” says Jana. Taylor had been involved heavily in gymnastics – an Olympic hopeful, in fact. But at the age of 12 her interest in music begin to blossom. She had always enjoyed singing at home and at church and when she happened upon a flyer at the local music shop where she had started to take violin lessons, she thought it might be fun to give it a try. Seeing nothing to lose, Jana and her husband, Brandon, encouraged Taylor to go for it. She did, competing against some professionally trained singers up to age 22 – and she won! From there she began to grow and develop as an artist.
At this time, her younger brother, Braxton, asked when it would be his turn to do something. When asked what he wanted to do, Braxton replied, “I want to be on TV.” Jana remembers thinking to herself, “Oh boy, here we go again!” Hearing about auditions to attend an entertainment convention (where new talent is discovered by agents, managers, and casting directors), Braxton auditioned and the next thing the Beckhams knew they were preparing to attend the convention in Orlando during summer 2010.
“By this time Taylor was in need of representation,” Jana recounts, “so both kids participated in the convention. From this convention Taylor was picked up by a music manager, and Braxton was picked up by an LA agency. Now, it was time to get serious.”
After much prayer, “getting serious” turned out to mean Jana and the kids moving to LA while Brandon continued with his job in Dallas for two years. Recently Brandon got a job in LA, reuniting the family.
“Getting serious” for Braxton has meant voiceovers, TV commercials, appearances on Nickelodeon’s iCarly, and most recently on CBS’ NCIS. Braxton said his favorite part of being on NCIS was seeing how the other actors’ personalities were much like the characters they played. “It seems like they didn’t even have to act!” Braxton’s dream at this point is to work consistently on a comedy TV show. “Being a series regular would be amazing,” says this talented young actor. You can learn more about Braxton at www.braxtonbeckham.com.
“Getting serious” for Taylor has resulted in her recent appearance on NBC’s “The Voice,” a reality talent show where promising singers work with renowned musicians. Getting on the show with her blind audition selection of “I’m Going Down,” Taylor had the opportunity to work with R&B singer Usher, and country singer Blake Shelton. “One highlight from being on The Voice is all of the amazing people I’ve met,” says this 17 year old who has established herself as an artist in her own right. “I made so many new talented friends who have the same dreams and aspirations.” Besides continuing to write her own music, Taylor’s hope is to come across a label deal. You can hear Taylor’s lovely voice at www.taylorbeckham.com and http://www.youtube.com/user/TaylorBeckhamVideos?feature=watch.
Of course behind these talented young people is a mother who was wise enough to recognize her children’s gifts and who was courageous –
Courageous enough to encourage her children to take risks.
Courageous enough to empower them to follow their dreams.
And courageous enough to think outside the box in terms of school. Demands of the entertainment industry make the typical Monday – Friday, 8 – 4 learning schedule difficult if not impossible. The Beckhams’ solution has been online education through International Virtual Learning Academy. IVLA is a fully accredited, private web-based school where students can work at their own pace with access to certified teachers. “What I like about IVLA is the flexibility!” says Jana. “I believe the combination of IVLA, with the life experience that my children are receiving is preparing them for a future that they can be proud of and face with confidence.” You can find out more about IVLA at www.internationalvla.com.
“We are walking in faith,” Jana says, “It is not an easy road by any means, being a lot of rejection and fear involved, but we know we are never alone and trust that God has a plan for us all.”
Brava to Jana and all mothers who courageously equip their children for the unique path designed for each of them.
Happy Mother’s Day!!