Jordan Drayton, affectionately known as Jordan Sunshine on social media, has quickly become a sensation, captivating audiences with his street performances in Los Angeles. At just 5 years old, this talented young singer has amassed a following of over 662,000 on TikTok, showcasing his impressive vocal skills and infectious enthusiasm for music.
Jordan began his musical journey at the tender age of 1, when he first discovered his love for singing. His mother, Kate Gammell, fondly recalls one of his favorite childhood memories: playing the ukulele with his grandfather. As his passion for music blossomed, Gammell began taking him to a nearby park, where she set up a microphone for him to practice singing. This spark ignited a series of street performances that would soon attract a growing audience, thanks in part to the videos Gammell shared on TikTok and Instagram.
Despite performing in front of hundreds of people each week, Jordan remains remarkably composed. He recalls an incident during a street fair in Claremont, California, where he slipped while holding the microphone and fell into a pile of leaves. Although his heart raced and his tummy hurt, he quickly got back up and continued singing, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
“My favorite part about performing on the street with people is that it just makes me happy, and it makes other people happy too,” Jordan shares. “They don’t have to buy tickets to go see a show at a big place; they can just watch me in Claremont. I jump off that ledge, and I just remember doing that and daring myself to do it every time.”
Jordan’s performances are characterized by a carefree spirit and a genuine love for entertaining. His mother explains, “I just let Jordan be Jordan when he’s performing. I’ll be like, ‘Jordan, we’re going to sing ‘Imagine,’ and he’ll be like, ‘No, I don’t want to sing ‘Imagine,’ Mom. No, put this on,’ and he’ll tell me what to play in front of the crowd.”
Among his favorite songs to perform are “La La La” by Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith and Disney’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Recently, a video of Jordan singing “La La La” went viral, amassing over 35 million views and catching the attention of Sam Smith, who left a comment praising the young talent. “I’m so amazed that Sam commented on my ‘La La La’ video,” Jordan expressed, beaming with excitement.
Despite his rising fame, Jordan and his family maintain a humble approach to his performances. They do not solicit money, although Jordan occasionally receives cash donations, which he chooses to donate to charity. His mother emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process, saying, “He’s been doing this for a long, long, long time since he was little and he practices a lot. He loves it.”
As for the future, Jordan’s family is eager to see where his musical journey takes him. They have secured a work permit for Santa Monica, allowing him to perform in new settings and attract different audiences. While Jordan is currently homeschooled, he dedicates time each day to honing his craft, practicing singing, piano, and drums. He is also looking forward to collaborating with his vocal coach, Cheryl Porter, to create original music, including a rap song he has been working on.
Gammell reflects on her son’s journey with pride, stating, “I think Jordan’s going to make such an impact on this world.” With his infectious energy and passion for music, Jordan Sunshine is undoubtedly a rising star, and fans eagerly anticipate the bright future that lies ahead for this talented young performer.
