From Survivor to Rising Star

Just 16 years old, Newport Coast resident Alexis Silva is already living a story that reads like a movie script—one filled with determination, faith, resilience, and extraordinary talent. Born and raised in Newport, Alexis has grown up surrounded by the ocean, the harbor and a supportive community that has shaped her both personally and artistically. Today, she stands not only as a rising star in the music industry but also as a survivor and an advocate for children fighting cancer

Growing Up in Newport

Alexis’s roots are deeply tied to Orange County. She began her early education at Laguna Beach El Morro School, then attended Pegasus School for the remainder of elementary and middle school. Currently a junior at Corona del Mar High School, she balances academics with a blossoming music career, church involvement, sports and nonprofit work.

Even as a little girl, Alexis’s path seemed destined for the stage. “The moment I could say my first word, I was already singing,” she recalls. By the age of eight, she had joined choir and developed a love for performance through her middle school’s musical theater program. That same year, she begged her parents for solo lessons—wanting more than just to blend into the chorus. Soon after, she was performing the National Anthem at sports events, competing in vocal competitions, and writing songs as an emotional outlet for the bullying she experienced in school. Songwriting quickly became her form of therapy, a way to process her emotions and connect with others.

By 13, Alexis recorded her first professional song. At 14, she released her first original single, “The Fight Is Not Over Yet." Now, at 16, she has written more than 50 songs and released her debut EP this August after rolling out a series of monthly singles in 2025.

A Life-Altering Diagnosis

While her passion for music kept growing, life presented Alexis with an unimaginable challenge. At 13, she began experiencing strange symptoms, and doctors discovered a 10 cm tumor on her adrenal gland. Initially thought to be a rare and aggressive cancer known as adrenocortical carcinoma, the diagnosis was terrifying.

She endured an eight-hour high-risk surgery with a team of specialists, leaving her with a 12-inch scar and a two-week recovery in the hospital. On the fifth day, she learned the tumor was benign, and chemotherapy would not be necessary. The relief was indescribable, but the trauma of facing mortality so young left a permanent mark on her heart and became a wellspring of artistic inspiration.

Messages of encouragement from Dionne Warwick and Mike Tyson lifted her spirits during recovery, and Alexis soon turned her experience into music. Her song “Backseat Driver," released in February 2025, carries the haunting lyric “Is this goodnight or goodbye?”—words born directly from her hospital stay. Another single, “Dirty Windows," includes the poignant line “I’m missing your face but I got your bouquet,” capturing both grief and resilience. These songs are more than just melodies; they are reflections of survival.

Faith, Music, and Purpose

For Alexis, music is not just a career—it’s a calling. “I love music because it’s not a job. It’s an emotional outlet, a way to express myself,” she explains. “My biggest goal in life is to inspire and help others and use what I’ve been through to make other people inspired.”

Her faith has been her anchor. A devout Christian, Alexis attends Mariners Christian Church, where she participates in youth nights and Sunday services. She credits her faith as the foundation that carried her through her health battle and continues to guide her path forward.

Advocacy & Foundation Work

Out of her personal journey, Alexis founded The Fight Is Not Over Yet Foundation, which raises funds and provides support to children battling cancer. To date, the foundation has raised more than $11,000 for CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County), and every stream of her music contributes to pediatric cancer research.

Her advocacy extends beyond her own foundation. Alexis was named the first Teen Ambassador for the Children’s Oncology Support Fund (COSF), an honor announced at the Cannes Film Festival by COSF founder Thomas Pierce. As part of this role, she led a walk-a-thon on June 7 at the Santa Monica Pier for CHLA’s Walk & Play LA event, performed at the 2024 COSF Aspen Snow Ball (covered in Vogue), and continues to use her platform to bring attention to pediatric cancer causes.

Recognition & Media Spotlight

Alexis’s journey has caught the attention of the national media. She has been a guest on Luminary Sounds Radio in Oxnard, where she shared her debut single “Backseat Driver," her nonprofit work and her determination to turn hardship into hope. She also appeared on Good Morning America with Chesca to discuss her foundation, further amplifying her message of resilience and advocacy.

Life in Newport

Despite her busy schedule, Alexis is still very much a Newport teen. She enjoys kayaking and paddleboarding through the harbor, bike rides in Crystal Cove, and swimming at 32nd Street Beach. She loves poke at Bear Flag, sushi from Sushi District (her go-to is the eel roll), and ice cream from America’s Finest Cup on 17th Street. Shopping trips often take her to Isabel’s Cabinet on Balboa Island.

When she’s not performing or writing music, Alexis enjoys playing tennis, weightlifting and spending time at church with friends. She also has a unique list of personal accomplishments. She speaks three languages (Russian, English and Spanish), is a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, and once trained as a competitive horseback rider.

Looking Ahead

With her debut EP out, Alexis is ready for the next chapter of her musical journey. Each single she has released builds on her story of survival, strength, and purpose, and her growing fan base resonates with the authenticity she brings to every lyric.

But beyond the stages, studios, and spotlight, Alexis Silva wants her community to know one thing: never give up. “I want to share the message of hope and determination. I want people to know that when it seems like there is no way, there still is. We can rise against the odds, and miracles can happen.”

Alexis isn’t just a rising star; her voice carries the weight of survival, the light of faith and the promise of a future filled with music, purpose, and inspiration.

Follow Alexis on Social Media

Instagram: @alexis.e.silva
TikTok: @alexis.e.silva
YouTube: Alexis Silva