Breaking Into the Music Industry Without Nepotism or a Stage Mom
The entertainment industry is built on connections, lineage, and unspoken opportunities that often favor the well-connected. But what happens when you don’t have those advantages? When you’re not born into a famous last name or raised by a stage mom pushing you toward the spotlight?
I don’t have the luxury of industry favors. My journey into music and entertainment isn’t backed by legacy or privilege. It’s just me—figuring it out, learning the ropes, and proving myself without shortcuts.
No Shortcuts, No Safety Net—Just Hard Work
While some artists inherit a golden ticket, I’ve had to fight for every opportunity. There’s no industry insider passing down knowledge at the dinner table, no built-in connections to open doors. Every milestone I reach is because I earned it—through persistence, self-discipline, and an unwavering belief in my vision.
But let me be honest—I was always drawn to entertainment. My sister was heavily involved in the pageant circuit as a teen, and she was a child model. But by the time I came along, things had changed. My parents divorced, my mom worked full-time, and my sister—who was ten years older than me—became my caretaker. When she left for college, I spent much of my time at my aunt’s house, a woman in her 60s.
Despite the shift in my environment, I desperately wanted to be on television. My first blueprint for what that required? Disney. At 12 years old, I devised a plan to send one of my headshots to a casting director for one of the network’s biggest shows. Of course, this plan didn’t work—but it taught me something invaluable: If I wanted this dream, I had to figure out how to make it happen myself. Eventually, I found a local talent agency and went to their open call.
The Harsh Truth About “Making It”
I won’t get into my acting career just yet. It was complex, it was traumatic, and it ultimately shaped me into the artist I am today. But what I learned from it applies to every young performer trying to break into this world:
You can’t just do one thing.
If you’re a dancer, they want you in acting lessons ASAP.
If you’re an actor, you need a special skill to stand out in auditions.
If you’re a model, you better take improvisation classes because just standing there won’t cut it.
The industry demands versatility. But what they don’t tell you is that being marketable is just as much about self-belief as it is about skill. And for someone to invest in you, they have to believe in you first.
No One Believed in Me—Until I Did
For nearly two decades, I put in the work. I auditioned, I practiced, I performed, I learned. And yet, no one believed in me. No stage mom fighting for my place. No well-connected family members making introductions.
So, no career.
At least, not until I made the choice to stop waiting for validation and start building something on my own. That’s when everything changed. Because the truth is, no matter how talented you are, no one is coming to save you. You have to believe in yourself first—and the rest will follow.
