There’s a problem on the set of Chelsea Williams new video. Her makeup is great, the lighting is perfect but… Chelsea Williams can’t stop smiling. On the third take she manages to pretend for a moment that she’s an angst-ridden artist, but as soon as the camera stops, that smile is back. “I’m just really happy right now”, she says, “I’m in love, I’m making a living writing songs, and… I’ve spent so much of my life focusing on striving for emotional honesty that it’s difficult for me to…you know, fake it.” It’s understandable, Chelsea Williams has a lot to be happy about.

Without the support of a record label, or radio play, Chelsea Williams managed to sell nearly 100,000 albums of her independently released album the old fashioned way, by playing on the street. “I do like the fact that I actually have met every single person that bought my album,” she says “It makes it more personal for me, and hopefully for them too. And sometimes I get tips.”

After six years of playing on the promenade, she received a life-changing tip. One of the passers-by ended up being Grammy nominated producer Toby Gad“Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “If I Were a Boy”). Gad, moved by the singer’s natural talent and undeniable charm, invited her to collaborate on a song, and another, and another.

Before they knew it they’d recorded an entire album. She was offered the chance to perform for Jimmy Iovine, the head of Interscope. Iovine, having worked with Springsteen, Dr. Dre, and John Lennon stopped Williams after just one song. “That’s as good as it gets.”

He offered her a record deal on the spot.

“I feel like an overnight success, ”Chelsea says, laughing in a way that makes Directors stop filming, but people on the street stop and pay attention. “A seven year, overnight success, I suppose it could all end tomorrow, but I’d still be singing and making music.” The -director indicates that he’s ready for the next shot and for better or for worse, Chelsea Williams is still smiling.