This article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 Champion Issue of Showstopper Magazine.
We recently met up with Canadian singer and songwriter Jessia to talk about her global fan base, the pressures and benefits of social media, influential beauty standards, and her international tour!
Jessia grew up in a small town and didn’t own a television until she was 12 years old. So instead of catching up on Saturday morning cartoons, Jessia kept her stereo on full-blast. “I think that shaped my imagination a lot and my ability to be a storyteller in my own music,” she reflected. “Music has always been a big part of my life. I have been singing since before I could talk. I’ve always felt like it was something I needed to do.”
Social Media
Now, Jessia has amassed a global fan base of nearly 350K followers on Instagram alone! While most people with that many followers, understandably, have a team to manage everything, Jessia values the direct communication it gives her with her fans. “I love being in my comments every day responding to them and hearing their stories,” she expressed. “It’s how I stay connected to my community when I’m not touring.”
And while Jessia loves the connection that social media gives her, she also acknowledges the potential negatives of the content we onsume. The beauty standards and comparisons that happen on social media were actually the catalyst for one of her most popular songs, “I’m Not Pretty.” “It was inspired by a TikTok sound that says, ‘I’ve never seen two pretty best friends,'” she shared. “All my friends are gorgeous, so I was like, ‘Hmmm maybe I’m not the pretty one.’ I wanted to shine light on society’s beauty standards. Pop music rarely talks about the intrusive thoughts we have, so I wanted to make some noise around it.”
Now Streaming
Jessia’s music has over 375 million global streams, and her music has touched the lives of fans around the world. So what does Jessia hope listeners take away from her songs?
“I hope my music helps people through the rough days. I love writing conversational music as if we are sitting down and talking about life. I just want to make people feel less alone with their feelings.”
Quality Over Quantity
TikTok trends aren’t the only things that help Jessia with her songwriting process. She also uses her socials to gauge what resonates most with her audience. She typically teases new music on her channels before they’re produced and has her audience determine what they love the most. But while this is a great way to make sure she’s connecting with her fans, she doesn’t rely on it fully. “I find the best songs come out when I am in a flow state and not trying to write for a viral moment,” she shared.
Not every song makes the cut, but Jessia isn’t worried about that. She’s just focusing on creating her best work. “I have learned to be kind to myself and enjoy the process and not just try and make as many songs as I can,” she expressed. “I take time with my writing. I was living the quantity over quality life for a while, and that wasn’t for me.”
Advice for Others
Social media has helped Jessia reach a wider audience with her music and has even influenced some of her songs. So for anyone else looking to start sharing their art on social media, Jessia has some words of advice. “Social media is such a tool that we can use as artists,” she explained. “Don’t let it define your art, but definitely use it as a marketing tool ’cause you never know what one video could do for you!” And while it may be scary to start putting your art into the world, try not to overthink it. “Start posting now! Even if it’s not perfect, you have to start somewhere and work out the kinks.”
International Tour
Jessia’s music is consumed worldwide in real-life ways, too. She’s toured internationally and has shared her music with the crowds, something she describes as “pretty wild times.” “But I would say meeting my fans after shows and talking with them is the highlight of my career,” she exclaimed. “I love hearing all their stories and seeing the face behind the username.” But other than the fans, her favorite part of the tour is getting lost in it all. “I love being on the road. You don’t even know what day or year it is, and there is a beautiful freedom in that.”
