Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachelle Aka Roxy O’Connell.
Hi Rachelle aka Roxy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Music has always been part of who I am. Some of my earliest memories are of going down to my parents’ basement, plugging in a microphone, and pretending I was on stage. I’d sing along to everyone from the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears to some of my dad’s favorites like Lesley Gore, The Beach Boys, and Johnny Rivers. My mom was a Jazzercise instructor, so our mornings were always filled with upbeat music. Looking back, I think that’s where my love for creating joy through music really began.
Ironically, karaoke found me long before DJing did. I always loved it, but I never imagined it could become a career. It wasn’t until I moved to Nashville that I realized there was an opportunity to build something around what I genuinely loved doing.
One of the biggest turning points in my journey came because of a setback. I had been DJing and MCing at a venue downtown when the company decided to go in a different direction. Instead of seeing it as the end of something, I decided to put myself out there. I made a post online asking if anyone was looking for a singer, and within a week I had booked my first gig singing with a live band. That experience reminded me that every closed door really can lead to a better one if you’re willing to keep moving forward.
The name “Roxy” actually started as a joke. My friends would say that when “Rachel” got a little more energetic, she became “Ra-shell.” Turn things up another notch and it was “Ra-kell.” And all bets were off once, “Roxy” showed up. When I added “The Karaoke Queen,” it just had a fun ring to it. I noticed the Instagram and TikTok handles were available, claimed them, and never imagined that playful nickname would grow into the brand it is today.
Today, I wear a few different hats. I host karaoke, DJ weddings and special events, emcee corporate gatherings, and I still love stepping up to the microphone myself. Singing with a live band helped me grow tremendously as a performer, and now one of my favorite things is harmonizing with guests or jumping in for a duet when the moment calls for it.
What I love most, though, isn’t being the one on stage—it’s creating moments people remember. My goal is to get people to put their phones down, sing at the top of their lungs with their friends, dance to a song they forgot they loved, and leave happier than when they walked in.
One of my favorite memories happened on a quiet Sunday night. The bar wasn’t packed, but the energy was just right. We all ended up singing “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men together with our phone flashlights in the air like old-school lighters. For a few minutes, nobody was worried about work or life. Everyone was just present, singing together. Those are the moments I chase.
Before all of this, I worked as a financial sales consultant. I know what it’s like to wake up dreading the workday. Now I wake up excited to see what’s on my calendar. That feeling reminds me that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is perseverance. Every challenge has led me somewhere better than I expected, and every opportunity has come from being willing to say yes, meet new people, and keep going.
If there’s one thing I hope people take away after spending an evening with me, it’s that life is made up of moments. Whether I’m hosting karaoke, DJing a wedding, or singing on stage myself, I want people to leave with memories, laughter, and the feeling that they truly connected with the people around them.
As for what’s next? I’d love to learn music production, create my own remixes, record original music, and maybe even build a show around everything I’ve learned. If this journey has taught me anything, it’s that you never know where saying “yes” will lead.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s what has made the journey so rewarding.
Like many entrepreneurs, there have been moments of uncertainty. There have been gigs that didn’t work out, opportunities that fell through, and times when I questioned whether I was making the right decision to leave a stable career in sales and pursue entertainment full-time. When you’re building a business around yourself, there isn’t a roadmap—you have to learn as you go, wear a lot of different hats, and trust that the work you’re putting in will pay off.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that setbacks often create opportunities you never would have found otherwise. Losing one DJ opportunity led me to post online looking for a singing gig, and within a week I was performing with a live band. Experiences like that reinforced my belief that when one door closes, another really does open—if you’re willing to keep showing up.
I’ve also learned that success in this industry isn’t just about talent. It’s about consistency, building relationships, being prepared, staying positive, and genuinely caring about the people you work with. My background in sales taught me how to connect with people, network, and solve problems, and those skills have been just as valuable as knowing how to read a crowd or sing a song.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the challenges because they’ve shaped who I am. They’ve made me more resilient, more confident, and even more grateful that I get to wake up every day doing work that brings joy to other people.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At the heart of what I do, I’m an entertainer and an experience creator. Whether I’m hosting karaoke, DJing a wedding, emceeing a corporate event, or performing myself, my goal is always the same: to create moments where people can let go, connect with each other, and simply have fun.
While I’m probably best known as Roxy the Karaoke Queen, I don’t see karaoke as just people taking turns singing songs. It’s about creating an atmosphere where someone who’s convinced they’ll never touch a microphone ends up belting out their favorite song by the end of the night. It’s about helping people forget about work, stress, and everything waiting for them tomorrow, even if it’s just for a few hours.
One of my biggest strengths is reading a room. I love figuring out what a crowd needs—whether that’s the perfect song transition, encouraging a shy guest to sing for the first time, or playing that unexpected throwback that gets everyone saying, “Oh my gosh, I forgot how much I love this song!” I spend a lot of time connecting with people throughout the night because I believe the best events happen when people feel seen, welcomed, and comfortable enough to let their guard down.
I’m also incredibly proud of continuing to invest in my craft. Earlier this year, I traveled to Tulum, Mexico, to attend the Tulum DJ Academy, where I developed and performed a one-hour DJ set overlooking the ocean at sunset before performing live for a crowd. It challenged me creatively and technically, expanded my confidence behind the decks, and officially made me an international DJ. That experience reminded me that no matter how much you’ve accomplished, there’s always room to keep learning and growing.
If you asked the venues I work with what sets me apart, I hope they’d tell you I’m professional, fun, and genuinely engaged with every event. I don’t stand behind the booth waiting for people to come to me—I walk the room, introduce myself, compliment people, celebrate their moments, and create connections. That’s what transforms a karaoke night or event into an experience people talk about long after it’s over.
The compliment I hear most often is, “That was so much fun!” or “Best night ever!” To me, that’s the greatest measure of success.
I often say that people don’t hire me because I’m a DJ who plays music—they hire me because I’m a DJ who feels music. I create permission for people to be silly, dance, sing at the top of their lungs, forget about their worries, and be fully present in the moment. If people leave with a smile on their face and memories they’ll talk about for years, then I’ve done my job.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
No one builds a career like this alone, and I’m incredibly grateful for the people who have believed in me, opened doors, and encouraged me along the way.
The person who really set me on this path was JC Rucker (DJ Yehtee). He was my karaoke mentor and the one who first asked me if I’d be interested in learning how to be a karaoke DJ. At the time, I had no idea that simple question would completely change the trajectory of my career. He took the time to teach me the craft, share his knowledge, and give me the confidence to step behind the booth. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without that opportunity.
I’m also grateful for the opportunities I had with ICON Entertainment early in my career. They trusted me as a Karaoke DJ at one venue and later as a MC and DJ at another. While our paths have since gone in different directions, those experiences helped me grow as an entertainer, and I’m thankful they were part of my story.
Bradley Ford of Future Boy Creative and Snyder Entertainment has been a tremendous supporter of my growth. Through those partnerships, I’ve had the opportunity to DJ weddings, emcee corporate events, and continue developing my skills while working alongside talented professionals who are passionate about creating exceptional events.
I’d also like to thank Nick Messerly from Second Song. We actually met through an event that we were both being considered for. Nick ended up getting the opportunity, but the event hosts introduced us, and that connection turned into something even bigger. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to DJ poolside almost every weekend this summer through Second Song. It’s a great reminder that in this industry, collaboration often leads to opportunities you never expect.
I’m especially grateful to Happy Does in Midtown, where I have the privilege of hosting karaoke two nights a week. Having a place that believes in what I do and gives me the opportunity to consistently build a community through music has been an incredible part of my journey.
Another person who has made a meaningful impact is Josh Keas. I have the opportunity to sing with Josh and his band twice a week, and performing live alongside such talented musicians continues to challenge me, sharpen my skills as a vocalist, and remind me why I fell in love with performing in the first place.
I’m also thankful to What the Dance for giving me the opportunity to create and host themed shows. Those events have allowed me to stretch my creativity, think outside the box, and design experiences that go beyond a traditional karaoke night.
Most importantly, I’m grateful for every venue owner, event planner, client, and karaoke guest who’s trusted me to be part of their celebrations. Every person who’s grabbed the microphone, danced to a song they forgot they loved, or come back week after week has helped shape “Roxy the Karaoke Queen” into what it is today. Entertainment may be my profession, but the community that’s grown around it is what I’m most thankful for.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxythekaraokequeen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/roxythekaraokequeen-100090638072062/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelleoconnell
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H07bequqjmg
