Meet 15-year-old Jasmine Sagginario, a Nashville teen who we think we'll be seeing a lot more of in the future! Maybe you've already heard a few of the songs from her EP "The Next Me" because recently, Jasmine was named Radio Disney's Next Big Thing after a nearly three-month nationwide competition and has opened for -- ahem -- Justin Bieber  at concerts in Los Angeles and Orlando.

IML was happy to get the chance to speak to Jasmine and learn some cool things about her!

IML: Tell us a little about your album, "The Next Me." What were the inspirations for some of the songs?

Jasmine: I love to write songs with my dad that make you want to dance and have fun, but also songs that have positive and encouraging messages that can help people. "The Next Me" talks about being original and being yourself, then there's fun songs like "Make A Movie" you can dance to with your friends and there's no deep meaning behind it. I really get my inspiration from my family and friends, and situations we all go through.

IML: Have you written all the songs with your dad?

Jasmine: Yes! My dad has been in music forever and I give him credit because he's helped me so much. I wouldn't be here without him. When writing a song, we get in a room together and work it out, and I have a journal and write down ideas. For "The Next Me" I wrote down that it's important to be original, to yourself, a leader and not a follower. So we just incorporated my journal into the songs as well.

IML: It's great that your journal can become the source of your song lyrics! IML'ers talk about their journals too. Why do you think it's important for young people to keep one?

Jasmine: If you don't have friends you can trust, it's a good place to write down your feelings. It helps me in language as well, especially in my grammar. I can catch myself doing things, such as using "like" a lot. Then I realize I have to change that. In language arts, we journal a lot. That's become one of my favorite subjects. I think it's really important.

IML: Your faith plays a huge role in your life and music. Can you tell us about that?

Jasmine: I'm a Christian. My mom and dad were in the ministry and I got baptized last year. It was awesome! I went to a youth conference and it really just opened up my eyes. I've always known about the bible because my parents have taught me about it. I really encourage people to get involved with a youth group, to find people who have the same beliefs as you. I'm really close to my youth leaders. It's a great place to meet people! Now we have something called ATG (Against The Grain), where we hang out with kids who live in the projects and watch movies, play sometimes. It's really cool.

IML: Many young people out there share your faith, but many people do not. What do you feel your music offers these listeners?

Jasmine: I think my music is not just for Christians. I like to think my music encourages anyone. "The Next Me" talks about not trying to be like anyone else, that can help anyone. The songs "Make A Movie" and "Nothing Left To Say" have positive messages for everyone to listen to.

IML: You recently opened up for Justin Bieber on tour. What was THAT like?

Jasmine: It was amazing! I'd never performed in front of that many people before. There were at least 20,000 screaming fans there. I've never felt so much excitement in my life. Justin brings in an awesome crowd, and right when you get on stage they're just so supportive. Justin is so talented and super nice and down to earth. It was really cool to meet him. I was a fan of his music before I did this.

IML: Were you nervous the first time you met him?

Jasmine: I was a little nervous when I met him. I don't really get starstruck, but I listen to his music and I was like, "Two weeks ago I was listening to his music in my room and now I get to meet him! What's happening?" He was so nice.

IML: Your family moved to Nashville from Los Angeles when you were almost 9 to get your music career started. Was it hard to adjust?

Jasmine: I've been in Tennessee for 7 years now and it's become like home now. Nashville is amazing and I love it. It's a great place to raise a family. Right away when we moved here, people were giving us cookies and waving to us even though we didn't know them. We were like, "This is different!" We weren't used to that in L.A. It was a good different. Everyone was really welcoming. It was funny because everyone would ask, "What church do you go to?" because there are so many more churches here. There are a lot of other artists here too, like Jordan Pruitt and Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban and Faith Hill. I see so many people. There's no paparazzi around. I feel like I can have a normal life here.

IML: You're homeschooled. What is that like, and how do you balance your music career with school?

Jasmine: Right when I get up, I have to log in and work. It's really different, being homeschooled. I went to public school most of my life and this is my first year homeschooling. It's great because I only have to do an average of 5 or 6 hours versus 8 hours in public school. Here, it's cool because I don't have any distractions. I don't have only 1 hour to work on a subject, I can work 5 hours on this one subject and go to the next subject tomorrow. I always put school first, and then after I'm done I'll have dance rehearsal or vocal lessons or do some song writing.

IML: Are you in a homeschooling group where you can connect with other teens?

Jasmine: It's funny because my younger sister and I have different homeschool programs. Mine is based in Pennsylvania but it's online. There's other kids you can talk to who live in Tennessee and all over. We don't get to see each other but we talk to each other online. It's really cool. I have some friends who I went on tour with and they use the same program as well, so whenever we need help we call each other.

IML: It sounds like you're a pretty typical 9th grader!

Jasmine: I still eat junk food, I put off schoolwork and cleaning my room. All that good stuff!

IML: You've been singing since you were little. At what point did you know you wanted to pursue a professional music career?

Jasmine: Probably when I was 12 years old. I always loved singing and getting on stage with my dad when he was a minister. He brought me on stage when I was little. I loved the feeling of being on stage. I really got serious about it when I was 12 or 13. I had to give up cheerleading because the screaming is bad for your vocal chords, and soccer and other stuff. But it was totally worth it because it's my passion now, and my career.

IML: Here's a fun question. How do you see yourself in 5 years?

Jasmine: I want at least to have a production company and find young artists. I'd like to look for other talent. I'll still going on tour, doing what I love to do. Going all over the world. And of course I want to keep writing and producing and making records.

IML: What do you think it means for a girl to be "strong"?

Jasmine: I think probably not cockiness but confidence. Being confident in who they are, not having to feel beautiful just because a boy thinks they're beautiful but knowing inside they're beautiful. Just confidence and originality.

IML: Thank you, Jasmine, and good luck!

Jasmine: Thank you!

You can check out more of Jasmine's music on her website at www.jasminesoul.com. In the meantime, here's her bouncy-fun video for "Make A Movie"!