In 2015, American Idol Season 14 fans met a dynamic 18-year-old singer from New Jersey. Hailing from East Brunswick, Jaclyn Cole Miskanic went by the name of Jax. She auditioned with the Beatles classic, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, and blew the judges away with her unique voice and style.
She went on to finish third overall in the competition, much to the dismay of her fans, known as the JaxPack. She's joined other Idol finalists who went on to successful careers even though they didn't win.
A self-taught pianist, Jax has been singing since she was five. Never afraid to be outspoken, after her exit from the show, she recorded a song called La-La Land, about her sometimes bitter experiences on American Idol.
The song’s lyrics told about how Idol is not as glamorous as it seems, especially for the contestants who don’t win. But luckily for Jax, she paved her own way with multiple hit songs that speak to her audience.
A Health Scare Made Jax Decide To Post Her Songs
Jax was included in the Season 14 Idol tour. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. She recovered after surgery, but the health scare made her realize she wanted people to hear her songs.
With the pandemic lockdown making it impossible for her to work in the studio, Jax turned to TikTok.
Shes said “I’ve tried for so many years to create a brand, and then it would be like, ‘Okay, never mind, this is not working.’ Be sexier, be more mysterious, be grungy or whatever it is. TikTok was the first app that I, myself, was my brand.”
And fans loved her brand. Jax started posting videos shot on her cellphone in her bedroom.
Her first big hit was a goofy video with her dressed in a robe and turban, singing a spoof version of the Fountains of Wayne song, Stacey’s Mom. In the space of 24 hours, it was viewed a million times.
Jax Has Millions Of TikTok Fans
Since then, she’s built a huge social media following, posting spoof versions of hit songs, plus her own compositions. At the time of writing, the singer has 10.8 million TikTok followers. Jax has had hit after hit, with fans loving her parodies of popular songs.
Sia’s song Chandelier is presented from the perspective of the housekeeper, who has to pay for the chandelier Sia breaks while swinging from it. Vanessa Carlton’s I’d Run A Thousand Miles is sung by Forrest Gump. Miley Cyrus’s Party In The USA is from the viewpoint of an Uber driver who is driving the singer from the airport.
She’s even taken on the song from Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On” where the character of Jack, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, asks Rose why didn’t pull him up onto the door she stayed afloat on: “Rose, please, just be honest for once/There was space on that door, for both of us…”
Both Stars And Her Family Feature In Her Videos
While some celebrities hate being parodied on shows like South Park, many of the stars whose songs have been featured in Jax's videos have gone on to participate in her videos. Appearances by big names like Addison Rae, Natasha Bedingfield, Olivia Rodrigo, and previous Idol winner Carrie Underwood have kept fans tuning in.
Jax's family also features. Her songs strike a chord with fans because they offer a glimpse into the singer’s real life. Like My Father sees her parents standing in the background as she sings a song inspired by her Dad, an NYPD firefighter injured on the day of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Jax also sings a poignant number for her 18-year-old brother who has joined the military, and there’s a song with 8-year-old Campbell, who has autism, to raise awareness about people with the disorder.
She often sings songs with Chelsea, the girl she babysits. In fact, it’s her relationship with Chelsea that has led to her latest and biggest hit, written after the teen was upset by a body shaming incident. It’s a subject close to the heart of the TikTok star, who dealt with an eating order when she was younger.
Victoria’s Secret highlights how fashion magazines and brands can make girls try to change their bodies to feel beautiful. After its initial release, she took it to one of the scenes of the crime, staging a flash mob in front of the Victoria’s Secret store in New York.
Uploaded to YouTube on July 6, 2022, the video has had over 25 million views, finding responses from millions who feel the same. It's been called an inspiring Summer Anthem, one that all women need.
In 2021 the singer was signed to Atlantic Records, and she says she's planning to slowly release more singles, eventually leading up to her debut album. She promises fans her album will be a reflection of her personality: "A little goofy, with the occasional dad joke."
As Jax herself says: “I was put on this earth to share happiness through music.” And her millions of fans will keep watching while she does.
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