Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amira Soleil. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Amira, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I grew up with both parents in the military. It was a very strict and traditional enviroment. My parents taught me that nothing is handed to you, if I want something, I have to work for it. My parents were very hard to please and I did everything in my power to appease them and not ask for help.
When I turned 18, they dropped me off at my college, took the car and phone away. My father’s last words was, “figure it out, you’re on your own.” To this day, I’ve figure it out to the best of my ability and continue to work towards my goals, big or small. I never asked for their help and never looked back. It was tough love but I appreciate how it molded me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m an independent recording artist and classical pianist. I take pride in my years of studying the discipline of classical piano. My training in both classical and jazz has made an impact in my current sound identity in the commercial music realm. Every song and body of work has been a reflection of where I was mentally as an artist. I’ve had unique journey and life experiences that has been encrypted in each project. I’ve been able to tap into different roles and scenarios both fictional and real life events to help pull creative ideas and bring them to life.
I recently released an extended play called, “Call Me (Don’t Stay).” It’s a conceptual collective work of five songs embodying the journey of girl who has out of this world experiences leading up to her leaving earth for the ultimate escape. “Call Me (Don’t Stay),” is available on every streaming platform with a visual work that can be found on YouTube.
I’m currently in the writing process of a new project that will take some time to complete. It’s still in the beginning stages.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I was an untraditional college student. For traditional students, it takes 4 years to complete an undergraduate degree. I studied at two different universities and abroad in Vienna, Austria. It took me 10 years to finish my undergraduate degree. During those 10 years, I was consistently taking piano lessons and working as a professional musician. My piano skill set and musicianship really played a huge role in my development as a musician and artistic identity.
Yes, I was a professional musician and music teacher, but I was also a traveling exotic dancer. I developed a strong stage presence, a stronger work ethic, and thick skin while being in the music/adult entertainment industry. I had to develop people skills, a strong stage presence, and acrobatic dance skills to survive to pay my college tuition, studio time, and month to month bills. Those skills translated into my brand as an artist and made impact on my music. I had a lot of inspiration to pull from creatively. I was really able to step into my role as an artist and performer as “Amira Soleil.”
My advice for anyone who are in the early stages of their career is to be consistent and have a strong work ethic. You can have all the talent in the world but to be successful in the entertainment/music industry, you need a strong work ethic, good people skills, thick skin. and the resilience to keep going regardless if you feel you’re not going anywhere.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
My sobriety is my number one obstacle. I’m currently on a journey of sobriety and stabilizing my mental illness of bipolar disorder. Sometimes as artist, we tend to take our creativity to extremes, experiment with substances, creating multiple identies. I took it too far trying to escape the harsh realities of the world of exotic dancing and the music industry as a whole. The people around you don’t always have your best interest at heart and I had to learn that the hard way. When you’re in the studio for hours, creating this world of bliss, never wanting that high to go away, it’s only natural you become addicted to it. I had many periods of mania which lead to two suicide attempts. The substance/alcohol abuse lead me to admission into a mental hospital for evaluation.
How I’m resolving this challenge is that I’m going to therapy every other week, taking my medication, and moved myself to a more stable environment with better company. I’m very grateful for my family and glad I’m still alive.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/amirasoleilofficial?igshid=MjEwN2IyYWYwYw==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@amirasoleil2498
