We were lucky to catch up with Laela Giovanna recently and have shared our conversation below.
Laela, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
To me, discipline is one of the highest forms of self-love that I can give to myself. If I am not able to continuously show up for myself, how can I expect anyone to show up for me, or vice versa? A lot of days, this means sacrificing comfort and choosing the less gratifying task because deep down I know my future self will thank me for it. I do have days where I feel unmotivated. That is just part of being human. What matters most is that I continue to show up for myself despite what life may throw at me. This year in particular, self-discipline has been a crucial part of my life. After dealing with a medical setback at the end of 2022, now more than ever, I need to be disciplined about the way I take care of my body. Every day, I have a choice and it is my responsibility to choose what is best for me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Laela Giovanna. I am a singer/songwriter and producer. My musical journey began when I was just a kid, singing and playing piano. At twelve years old, I got my first guitar and that sparked my love for songwriting.
Throughout my teenage years, I performed at local venues in and out of the city of Philadelphia. In 2017, I took a leap of faith and moved to New York City, where I got the opportunity to grow as an artist and play on iconic stages like The Apollo Theater, The Bitter End and Rockwood Music Hall. In 2018, I found recognition in Ischia, Italy, my family’s hometown, earning the title of ambassador for my music career in the U.S. In 2022, I graduated from Berklee College of Music. I am incredibly fortunate to be an alumna of a school renowned for nurturing talents such as John Mayer, Charlie Puth, and numerous other notable musicians. In 2022, I celebrated my first major sync placement on BET Networks, a collaboration with Amori Sounds.
The end of 2022 threw me a curveball. I faced a significant medical setback stemming from an ongoing problem I was born with. Despite the uncertainties, I refused to let it keep me down. The time away from performing allowed me to explore new avenues, and I re-discovered my passion for producing. In an industry where only 3.4% of producers are females, I am determined to pave the way and help women break through barriers. Currently, I am back in the studio, pouring my heart and soul into new music.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities that were most impactful were perseverance, adaptability, and hard work.
Perseverance allowed me to push through obstacles and keep moving forward. It allowed me to focus on the bigger picture. My advice for those early in their journey is to understand that setbacks are a natural part of life. What matters most is how you choose to respond to them. Are you going to let setbacks stop you or shape you?
Adaptability is crucial, especially in the music industry where uncertainty and challenges are the norm. Five years ago, if you had asked me whether I thought I would be focusing more on production than performing live, I would have thought you were crazy. But now, it feels like this is where the wind is taking me. That is the beauty of being adaptable—it allows you to go with the flow. My advice is to stay curious, be open-minded, and, most importantly, be willing to learn new things, explore different approaches, and embrace change as an opportunity for growth.
Discipline is essential. I am a strong believer that hard work can conquer talent any day. I learned at a very young age that if I wanted something, I had to put in the work to get it. I am constantly figuring out ways to raise the bar for myself. My advice is to be a student in everything that you do and be consistent.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I find myself feeling overwhelmed, my initial response is to pause whatever I am doing, find a quiet space and focus on my breathing. This grounds me and helps me reconnect with reality. Once I feel like I have control over the situation, I try to uncover the source of the anxiety and strategize ways I can manage it. This process isn’t always straightforward. There are many times where I become so consumed by my emotions that no quiet space or deep breathing can bring me back to realitiy. Durning those moments, I allow myself to feel those emotions fully and ride the wave.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laela_giovanna/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laelagiovannaofficial/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/laelagiovanna
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1s4r0NPnOJNiwBX8GYKcfF?si=__9ehGDtQpuNCa7MLCRCNA,
