I wish to be a popstar
Emily, wish granted in 2011
kidney disease
Emily Still Dreams Uncontrolled
Emily loves to sing and enjoys writing her own songs. Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamt of recording an album and performing on stage like a popstar. In 2011, when she was 14 years old, Emily had the incredible opportunity to make that dream come true—all thanks to Make-A-Wish.
Emily was an incoming freshman in high school at the time and she had been living with kidney disease for four years. Through medication, injections, and close monitoring of her diet, she had been able to stabilize her condition. But she was at a critical point in her treatment. Her kidney only functioned at one quarter of its capacity, and she and her family knew that she would soon require a transplant.
Guy and Carolyn, Emily’s parents, turned to Make-A-Wish to help keep Emily motivated during the stressful time ahead for her.
When asked to wish for anything in the world, Emily dreamt big. She wished to become a popstar and record an original song, titled “Dreaming Uncontrolled,” which she co-wrote with her dad.
“It was the big hurrah before we knew we were facing that scary next step,” Carolyn says of the wish.
It all started with a recording session at the historic Different Fur Studios, a top studio in San Francisco’s Mission District. Composer and producer Dave Tweedie led a crew that helped Emily record, produce, and arrange instrumentation on her song, with a little help from her family. She was joined by Guy and Carolyn, as well as her brother, Skailer. “It was a family affair,” says Guy, who laid down some acoustic guitar for the track.
It was a long day of hard work, but when the family left the studio that evening, Emily had a raw version of the track in her hands. They were even able to give it a listen on the ride over to their hotel room.
Next, Make-A-Wish staff coordinated a photo shoot for Emily’s album cover, which took place in the family’s backyard. Emily worked hard to craft the liner notes while Make-A-Wish staff were busy mastering the raw audio into a polished, complete single.
Watch Emily's music video where she performs the song she wrote "Dreaming Uncontrolled” as part of her magical wish to record a song.
It was a long journey but an incredibly rewarding one. “We were just so thrilled,” says Guy, of receiving the master version of the song.
Make-A-Wish continued Emily’s new popstar treatment with an incredible single release party at Ruby Skye, a club in San Francisco.
Emily took the stage and performed her single “Dreaming Uncontrolled,” accompanied by producer Tweedie, to a cheering crowd of family, friends, and supporters. The evening was special and unique. Ruby Sky created a nonalcoholic drink in Emily’s honor (“Deliciousness Uncontrolled”), and Emily signed copies of her single for a line of fans and supporters that spilled out the door and into the street. At the end of the event, Emily was surprised with some incredibly exciting news—her song would be officially released on iTunes!
Emily and her family headed to the performance venue, Ruby Skye.
Emily inside a limo on her way to Ruby Skye for her performance.
As Emily and her family walked into the lobby of their hotel after the exciting release party, one last surprise was in store— “Dreaming Uncontrolled” was playing on the loudspeakers!
It was an extra special moment to cap off an amazing day. “She was feeling like a star,” says Guy. Carolyn corrects him: “She was a star.”
Ten years later, Emily’s parents still get emotional about her wish experience. “It gave us an opportunity to take a big break from things,” says Carolyn. “It really brought the family together. We were a busy family, with lots of stuff going on, and it was an opportunity for all of us to put everything else on hold and just get away."
“We were a busy family, with lots of stuff going on, and it was an opportunity for all of us to put everything else on hold and just get away.”
Carolyn, Emily's mom
Emily in the recording studio taking notes from a producer on her song.
Emily is excited as she gets VIP treatment in the hair and makeup chair for her special performance.
Emily backstage before her performance.
Emily on stage being introduced for her big debut.
Emily on stage performing her song, "Dreaming Uncontrolled".
Emily with another performer on stage.
Guy says that it was an emotional break, an opportunity to focus on something other than Emily’s illness. “The wish gave us a reprieve,” he says, “and for us, that’s the most valuable gift we got.”
Thankfully, Emily’s kidney transplant was a success. Today, she is 25 years old and in great health. She currently attends UC Davis, where she studies chemistry and participates in theater and dance. To this day, she’s still sings and writes her own music. She also recently welcomed her first child, Aella Renee, with her spouse, Michael, although doctors had warned that having children might never be possible for her.
Guy and Carolyn say they still have a soft spot for the single, and all the memories and emotions it brings up. “We still play it,” says Guy. “It’s on our favorites list.