At fifteen, most teenage girls are attending high school, daydreaming about the perfect prom dress, and crushing on the boys. Don't state otherwise for Rachael Lampa. Like her peers, she encounters homework stresses and birthday parties. But in the midst of her adolescence, there is something a bit different about her -- she's a little girl with a big voice, one which was noticed at an early age. "Two summers ago, a guy asked me to come up and sing at a late night concert, after Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith," says Rachael. "I went up there and sang two songs, and ended up meeting a guy from Word Records. Five months later, I signed with them!"

    Don't cast her into the group of untouchables -- although Rachael travels more often than not, (she just completed a tour with Plus One and Stacie Orrico), she still finds time to be homely -- she is currently enrolled in high school, just finishing up her sophomore year. But a microphone and pencil are not all that Rachael grasps -- she holds steadfast to her faith in God and her morals are intact. "Mainly, my album ["Live for You"] is a reflection of my relationship with Jesus Christ; it's an appreciation album!"

    We caught up with Rachael before her Lakeland, Florida show, to find why she's "Blessed." Read on for another gt magazine exclusive...

gt.com: on your last tour, were you able to sightsee while you were in each city?

RACHAEL: Yes -- one day, we all [Plus One, Stacie Orrico] went to the beach, and it was the grossest beach I've ever seen, but we all decided to go in anyway. We took the mud from the bottom of the beach and threw it all over each other! It was a lot of fun!

gt.com: because you're a teenager singing contemporary music, you're bound to be thrown in the group with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. do those kind of comparisons bother you?

RACHAEL: They did bother me at first, because when you're a new artist, you just want to be yourself. You want to make a new, little place for you and you don't want to be compared to anyone. But, where I am and what this career means to me...I just want people to hear my music so they can hear the word of God. And, if that means having me as an alternative to Christina or Britney, whatever it takes.

gt.com: lots of solo performers take on aliases. did you ever have the urge to change your name?

RACHAEL: No, never really. When I was little, I always thought I was Madonna or Paula Abdul. Never had that urge!

gt.com: you performed on Jay Leno last year. how was that experience?

RACHAEL: It was so much fun! I had done some TV stuff before, but this was the biggest one, so my whole family came out. I hadn't seen them in a while, so it was great to hang out. Actually, I didn't talk to Jay too much. You know who I did talk to? The guy that played Carlton on Fresh Prince. He was hosting another show in the same building!

gt.com: how important is it for you to be a role model?

RACHAEL: Very important. Signing up for this, it doesn't mention that you have to be prepared to be a role model in the contract. I know that God prepares us for different things, but I think part of his calling for me is to talk to younger kids on their level. I mean, I'm struggling just as much as they are to live a Christ-like life. I like the responsibility!

gt.com: your album is amazing. is it safe to ask what was your favorite song to record and is to sing live?

RACHAEL: I love "Blessed" and "Shaken." They're both totally different songs -- one is a gospel song, the other is a crazy uptempo. I love singing "Blessed," because the message is really personal to me and it has a gospel sound. "Shaken" is just fun! In the studio, we would set the mood while recording. Like, put candles around or a disco ball up. It was great!

gt.com: being a singer has got to be unbelievable, but what do you do when you take a break from music?

RACHAEL: I love watching sports and playing sports, especially basketball. I am short, but I do play! I love jetskiing, too. And I live in Colorado, so I do snowboarding. I'm really easily amused! I love miniature golf, going to the movies, sitting around and talking. I love to do just about anything!

gt.com: anything you'd like to say to your fans?

RACHAEL: The world today, media, society, school, friends, whatever...they make certain gifts or talents seem more important than others, just because they can get you media attention. God views us as His children, not His kings and queens, or princesses and princes. In the end, we're all on the same level with God. Take what you have and run with it. You don't need to compare yourself, because it's not going to get you anywhere at all.

gt.com: how inspirational. thanks Rachael!

Hooked on Rachael's sound? Visit her
official website at  www.rachaellampa.com!