Sierra Jean is not a stranger to the spotlight. The Long Island, New York native, born in 2001, was discovered on YouTube at the tender age of eleven. Over the years, she traveled alongside Hollywood veterans to Los Angeles, where she wrote, recorded demos, filmed music videos, and pitched to major label executives. By fourteen years of age, she was a seasoned professional with multiple releases and a robust fan base accounting for over two hundred thousand followers across all social media platforms in 2016.
Sierra Jean’s journey, however, was not without its hurdles. In February 2016, she was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a chronic illness that causes dizziness and, in extreme cases, syncope, amongst other symptoms. The diagnosis was a significant setback, forcing her to ponder, “will I ever be able to perform again?” In challenging times that followed, she resorted to a wheelchair when her symptoms worsened. But she wouldn’t let this deter her from her passion. Whenever she could muster enough strength, she picked up her guitar, playing for hours on end, hoping to come back and record again.
By the time Sierra Jean was ready to start at Belmont University, she had learned to manage her illness effectively. Billboard recognizes Belmont University as a top music business school in the country. It was here that Jean sought to reclaim her voice, honing her skills in its music business production program and preparing for the next chapter of her career.
To mark the tenth anniversary of her first single and reestablish her name in the industry, Jean re-recorded “all that I want,” altering some lyrics and elements to represent her new Pop Rock sound. This decision was an ode to her diehard fans who had stuck with her through thick and thin and a warm welcome to the ones just discovering her music. Sierra Jean recorded the song in Nashville, TN, at the Grammy-nominated “Welcome to 1979” studio with a bevy of exceptional musicians she had befriended during her time at Belmont. The song is a breakup anthem, a narrative of a relationship that has officially ended, but the other person is emotionally unable to let go. Interestingly, the new lyrics of this song bear an unmistakable imprint of her past relationship with a man who did not support her move to Nashville to chase her dreams.
Born in Long Island, NY, and relocating to Charlotte, NC, at age eight, Sierra Jean has graced the stage with her performances since early childhood. Covering classic rock hits by laudable bands like Journey and Bon Jovi, her love for music was deeply influenced by rock. The persuasive lyrics of Jon Bellion, who recently earned a nomination for Album of The Year for producing and writing Jon Batiste’s album, World Music Radio, greatly influenced Sierra Jean’s music.
After a seven-year hiatus, Sierra Jean is finding her way back to the spotlight – healthier and more prepared than ever. A firm believer in the saying, “Everything happens for a reason,” Sierra Jean considers her diagnosis, although unfortunate, in retrospect, as a serendipitous event rather than a setback. Her education in the industry enabled her to realize that her old contract from 2013 did not allow her to own her old master recordings from her childhood days and restricted her from making a living from them.
Despite her illness and the contract restrictions, Sierra Jean’s determination and passion for music remained robust, standing as an undying testament to her resilience. Today, she stands tall, unrivaled in her determination. She infuses her performances with the power of her grace and grit, justifying the adage that the best music often flows from the fusion of joy and sorrow, resilience and passion, and determination and patience.
To follow Sierra Jean’s inspiring journey, connect with her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/sierrajeanmusic or Spotify at open.spotify.com/artist/6GcH42mEkAgA5Lavjn8v7U?si=ifvJEv8iQ3SbugkOK–CVQ. Her music epitomizes strength in adversity, and she weaves inspirations from rock, pop, and storied experiences into a harmonious tapestry of sound, representing her unique style and her enviable determination.
