"Voice of an Angel'' went double platinum in the United Kingdom last year, where it sold two million copies after just four weeks. It reached the No. 4 spot on the British pop chart, and rose to the No. 1 classical spot. The album entered the U.S. charts at No. 28 when it was released by Sony Classical in March.

Her cornflower-blue eyes sparkle when she considers her recent engagement schedule. She performed for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles at the opening of the Welsh Assembly; at Prince Charles' 50th birthday celebration in London; and at Pope John Paul II's Christmas in the Vatican concert. She has an invitation to perform at the White House on June 13. That's not to say she hasn't been sobered by stardom. "I thought it was going to be all glamorous and really easy, and it's not as glamorous as you think, and it's really, really hard,'' she said.

Her signature piece is Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu,'' a haunting work that showcases her confident high notes and lyrical phrasing. "She sang 'Pie Jesu' for me and I was blown away,'' said Jonathan Shalit, her manager. "Then I took her to meet the Sony execs and she sang it; they were blown away. People quickly started to recognize her for it.''

Schoolwork comes before interviews, and detention is an option -- even on the road. So far, it hasn't been a problem. Charlotte studies, performs -- and laughs a lot. Her sometimes grueling schedule has yet to get her down. "There are days where it's not hard at all and some days it can be manic,'' she said. "It just depends on which day.''

If the travel, the concerts and the schoolwork don't upset her, interviews can. "I hate radio interviews,'' Charlotte said. Shalit smiles, then ducks into a nearby room. He knows what's coming. "They all ask me the same thing.'' Charlotte crosses her arms, rolls her eyes and gazes up at the ceiling with an exasperated look. Then she launches into a typical Q&A with herself.

"So, Charlotte, how were you discovered?

"I was discovered when I introduced my Auntie Caroline on television and I started to sing.

"What kind of music do you like?

"I like Will Smith, Puff Daddy, George Michael and Celine Dion.

"What do your friends back home think of your success?

"Well, they just think it's wonderful.

"Do you think you have the voice of an angel?''

At this point, her legs are crossed, her foot is bouncing, and she's giving her best "How should I know?'' look. "If I say 'no,' they think I'm being overly modest. If I say 'yes,' they think I'm big-headed,'' she explained with a big sigh.

She enjoyed Las Vegas, where she made her U.S. debut at the annual convention of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers in March. "It was amazing. It was really, really fun. We went to see some of the shows, we saw all the lights and everything. Of course, I couldn't gamble. I'm underage.''

All the attention hasn't curbed her teenage tendencies. She likes to shop, but isn't a fan of Japanese couture. "I couldn't believe the clothes there,'' she said in her distinctive Welsh accent, as she described bell bottoms bigger than both her legs and platform shoes with 8-inch heels. Still, she asked her mother if she could buy the shoes. The answer was "'No! They're too high,''' recalled Charlotte, falling into the couch in a peal of laughter.

"People love the fact she's so normal,'' Shalit said. Charlotte travels with her mother, Shalit, a singing coach and a tutor. Her father stays behind in Wales, where he works as a security supervisor.

"I'd love to sing with Renee Fleming, Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, TLC and Puff Daddy,'' she said. If they ever work together, Puffy -- whose real name is Sean Combs -- won't have to worry about her behaving like an opera diva. "I think it's different for a child,'' she said. "I don't go about thinking 'I'm a diva.' My mother would kill me, my family would kill me. I don't think I'm like that, anyway.''
salon.com | June 3, 1999

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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