By Anna Skinner
Fishers High School junior Maria Diebolt is used to being in the spotlight. Being a pop star, Maria is somewhat of a local celebrity.
Yet recently, she was recognized nationwide as one of Dove’s Speak Beautiful Ambassadors – the result of an online campaign through social media.
“They chose people who were influential, young, female music artists who had a strong personality on social media and being positive,” Maria said. “They chose music artists because in our lyrics we express ourselves a lot.”
Maria just released a song, “Shake Up the World” which is available on iTunes, and recently visited Los Angeles, Calif. to work in a recording studio.
“Dove contacted me after looking at well-known female artists with a strong social media presence and there were only 40 in the country,” Maria said. “I can’t believe they chose me out of all the great artists in the country.”
Being a Speak Beautiful Ambassador is more a way of life than anything else.
“Once you’re an ambassador, you’re always an ambassador. Whether I’m a Dove Ambassador or not, I’m going to be doing this for the rest of my life,” Maria said. “I like having the label, but even without the label I would still be (promoting positivity).”
Maria plans on pursuing music as her career, although she admitted that college would be her back up plan. She said that her visit to the California recording studio really made her realize that she wanted to be a singer.
“I don’t play instruments, I like to say my throat is my instrument,” she said, although she has recently considered taking guitar lessons.
Maria oftentimes performs with the local band, Xanadu. The band’s manager, Lisa Sauce, is working with Maria to form a band.
“She’s really taken me under her wing,” Maria said.
After being selected as Dove’s Speak Beautiful Ambassador, Maria uses more Dove products than ever, although she said she “loves Dove anyway.”
“The whole Speak Beautiful campaign means the absolute world to me,” Maria said. “It’s basically something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s just something to live for every day.”
She often times sings pop, but mixes in some country as well.
“I want my music to touch everyone whether you’re 5 or 80, normally it’s for mid-teens, but my goal is to ultimately reach every aspect,” Maria said.
Maria said it’s just her and her mom at home, which gives her even more inspiration.
“Maria has a really strong moral compass and is ready to do her part to help make this world a better place. When this opportunity with Dove came along, it was a perfect fit with Maria,” Maria’s mother, Ann, said. “It’s really what her life is all about right now – making a conscious choice to be positive, being kind and helping others, erasing the negativity especially in social media and just making her little corner of the world a better place.”
Meet Maria
Age: 17
Family: Mother, Ann Diebolt
Hobbies: Dancing and singing
Years singing: Entire life
Biggest gig: 100,000 people at Circle of Lights
Normal gig: 30-50 people
Website: www.facebook.com/mariadiebolt
