Sophia James, born Sophia Wackerman, grew up in a family of musicians in Long Beach, California. She was a contestant in Season 18 of “American Idol,” where she changed her stage name to honor her brother who has Fragile X syndrome, James Wackerman, and finished in 11th place. She was a keynote speaker at the NFXF 17th International Fragile X Conference.

She has contributed music and appeared in the Ratatouille: The Musical chorus. Sophia has also written for the Disney cartoon Hamster & Gretel and is contributing to the music of new episodes of Phineas and Ferb. She has released several EPs and, in 2024, released her album Clockwork.