A Music Nerd’s Unexpected Triumph on Track Star
Lauren Kennedy, a woman from Athlone, made headlines when she appeared on the popular TikTok show Track Star. What started as a spontaneous decision turned into a viral sensation, with her winning $20,500—the highest amount ever awarded on the show. Instead of keeping the prize, she donated it all to charity, making her story even more remarkable.
The show, hosted by Jack Coyne, features contestants guessing songs played on a New York City street. For each correct answer, the prize money doubles, but one wrong guess means losing everything. With celebrities like Ed Sheeran and Charli XCX having appeared on the show, Lauren's victory was a complete surprise.
Her interview, filmed in July but released in October, was a hit. The theme for her episode was Irish bands, which she aced effortlessly. From big names like CMAT and Hozier to lesser-known acts like Hothouse Flowers and Soda Blonde, Lauren showcased her deep knowledge of music.
Since the show aired, she has continued to receive messages from fans and even from CMAT, who jokingly commented on an Instagram post: “Thank you for your kind words Lauren and congrats on being a big fat f***in nerd.” Lauren praised the singer-songwriter, comparing her to “Dolly Parton raised in Dunboyne and chronically online.”
Despite her musical expertise, Lauren’s career has been rooted in science. Originally from Athlone, she moved to New York six years ago on a graduate visa and worked in biomedical research at NYU. However, she recently quit her job to pursue her passion for the arts, enrolling in acting classes and starting a Master’s Degree in Arts Management.
Lauren described the shift as something she had long considered. “Living in New York brought back my love for the arts,” she said. “It’s such an inspiring place that I was kinda like, 'What am I doing?'” Starting her career again at this stage in her life was unexpected, but she feels it’s the right move.
Interestingly, her radio voice and love for music almost led her down a different path. Before moving to New York, she worked part-time at iRadio, where she was offered training. She declined to move to the U.S., but now sees it as one of her biggest regrets.
“I knew I was more suited for radio,” she admitted. “I love yapping and music—it’s a great combination.”
Lauren’s music knowledge comes from her love of small gigs and late-night sessions with her cousins. Growing up in a large family, Christmas nights were filled with music, often lasting until 5 a.m. Her taste leaned towards 70s and 80s rock, which wasn’t always popular among her peers.
In New York, she continues to attend local shows, finding it easy and affordable to catch emerging artists before they become famous. She currently follows musicians like Florence Road, Ye Vagabonds, and Niamh Regan, keeping an eye out for the next big name.
Lauren donated the full $20,500 to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, explaining that she couldn’t keep the money. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I kept that kind of money.” While her Irish father was initially upset, he later came around after seeing positive reactions from others.
“I think they’re happy for me, but they’re also like, 'You are an idiot' because they’re like, 'You also have a Master’s to pay for.' But I felt the money was never mine to keep. It was just a game, and I wanted to do something meaningful with it.”
Lauren’s story is a testament to the power of passion, knowledge, and giving back. Her journey from a biomedical researcher to a music enthusiast and future arts professional is truly inspiring.