Where were you at in your music career when you had your first child? Was there much discussion about how that life choice would affect your career within the music/ entertainment industry?

When I had my first child at 32, I still wasn’t sure a music career was truly possible for me. I had always been writing and singing, but there were a lot of circumstantial barriers, along with personal insecurities, that held me back from fully stepping into it. Music became something I leaned on privately – a form of healing, therapy, and self-expression. After having my second child, my daughter, something shifted. I discovered a completely new level of self-love and appreciation for myself and my body. That’s when I wrote Gucci Body, and my writing became more confident, empowered, and fearless. I knew then that it was finally time to share my music with the world. It definitely led to some difficult conversations with my partner. While he’s genuinely my biggest fan, we both had real concerns about how pursuing music would impact our family life. We had to create a plan that protected our home and our children, while also giving me the freedom and support to truly chase this dream. 

What changed for you when you became a parent in this industry?

Balance became everything. Trying to be a present, involved parent while pursuing a career that has almost no structure is incredibly challenging. I’m recording voice notes in the car, writing lyrics during hide-and-seek breaks, and squeezing creative moments into the small pockets of time I can find throughout the day. It’s not easy, and there are definitely moments where I feel stretched thin. But I also feel incredibly grateful. My children gave me a deeper sense of purpose, confidence, and motivation. There’s something powerful about letting them witness me chasing my wildest dreams. 

What is one change (big or small) within the industry that could make a positive impact for working parents?

More daytime and family-conscious networking events, writing sessions, showcases, and conferences would make a huge difference. So much of the music industry still operates late at night, “serious commitment” is often tied to being endlessly available. That structure unintentionally excludes many working parents, especially mothers, independent artists, and those without reliable childcare support. This isn’t something that requires massive budgets or huge infrastructure changes. Small shifts in scheduling and accessibility could help incredibly talented artists stay in the industry long enough to grow. 

Finish this sentence: “Being a parent in music is…”

Being a parent in music is choosing your family every day, while still choosing yourself too. 

How do you find support and community with other working parents in or out of the music industry? 

Honestly, this one can be hard. 

Making friends in your 30s is already challenging — making parent friends within an industry that often prioritizes youth can feel almost impossible at times. When I first started stepping into the music industry, it felt incredibly isolating. 

Organizations like Women in Music and Girl Connected have been amazing in helping me connect with other women navigating similar experiences. Outside of music, I’m very fortunate to have a close group of longtime friends from high school. We’re all working moms juggling a million things at once, so there’s a lot of understanding and support there. When I need grounding, encouragement, or just a night out, I know I can lean on them. 

What could a music event (festival, conference, etc.) do or provide to make it easier for you to participate? 

I’m very fortunate to have strong support from my partner and parents when it comes to childcare, and honestly, I don’t know how I would manage without them. 

For parents who don’t have that kind of support system, things like kid-friendly green rooms, childcare at conferences, or family-conscious accommodations could make an enormous difference. 

For me personally, one of the biggest things would simply be more notice. Parents often need time to arrange childcare, coordinate schedules, and prepare financially and logistically. In the emerging artist space especially, opportunities can appear with very little lead time, and it’s impossible to always know about everything immediately. Better communication and more thoughtful scheduling would make these opportunities much more accessible for working parents. 

What advice would you give to someone in music who’s thinking about becoming a parent? (VIDEO) 

It will be hard – but it will also be so worth it. 

There’s nothing quite like hearing the little humans you created singing and dancing to the art you created. Parenthood changed me creatively, emotionally, and personally in ways I never expected. It gave me a deeper understanding of love, purpose, vulnerability, and confidence, and all of that found its way into my music.