Jaida Henley of Los Angeles on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Jaida Henley and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaida, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I used to live a ‘normal’ life where I’d wake up, go to work, get off, and enjoy my free time before doing it all over again. But I was never truly satisfied with that routine. As I’ve been diving deeper into my passions, my daily life has changed so much.

My mornings now typically start with organization and planning time. I like to go over my finances, check my emails, and apply for castings. Since I don’t have an acting rep, I submit to multiple casting databases every day.

Most days don’t have much stability — sometimes I’ll get my call sheet the night before and have to be on set super early, or I’ll spend the day preparing for a show. I’m grateful to be building a team that helps get me ready, because I’m always on the go.

Lately, a “normal” day for me means acting on long sets during the day and performing at shows at night. I feel like the Hollywood version of Batman, haha — but I’m beyond grateful for my life.

The only thing I’d change is the comfort level. Eventually, I’d love to tour by plane or tour bus instead of vans. But we all have to start somewhere, and I’ve had such an amazing journey on my come-up so far.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jaida Henley. I’m a small-town girl who grew up in Douglasville, GA. I’ve always had a deep ambition for the arts — I was introduced to music through chorus in school, fell in love with acting through theatre, and started modeling during photoshoots my friends and I would set up for fun.

Eventually, I moved to Atlanta to pursue my dreams. After two years in ATL, I took a leap of faith and moved to LA with the intention of building my brand on a national level.

Now, I’m a full-time performing singer-songwriter, actress, and live-streamer. It sounds like a lot, but they all tie together in their own unique way. My goal is to inspire people to build their dream lives — even when it feels out of reach. You can create momentum for a new life by narrowing your focus and aligning your actions every day with the intention to end up further than where you started.

So yeah, that’s me… JHENLEY BBY.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I’ve always been a very determined spirit. Even as a child, I was the rebellious middle kid who constantly pushed boundaries — questioning why certain rules existed and breaking down unnecessary structures. I was the child nobody wanted to deal with because I was a handful… at least, that’s how I remember it.

I was the girl who volunteered to go first while my peers hid in the shadows, hoping to go last. I started a YouTube channel in 5th grade, uploading singing covers and little internet challenges with my friends. I’ve practically grown up on social media.

When my family went to sleep, I would sneak downstairs and turn on Pandora. Listening to stations like The Fray Radio or Avril Lavigne Radio, I began expanding my musical palette at a young age. My mom loved the 2010s pop and R&B scene — artists like P!NK, Alicia Keys, and Fergie. My dad was into alternative rock, so I grew up hearing Nirvana, Deftones, Nonpoint, and Linkin Park. Then there was my sister, who was obsessed with country music — Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, and Carrie Underwood.

And then there was me. I fell in love with hip-hop — Speaker Knockerz, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and more. You can probably tell: my soul just loves music. It wasn’t something the world told me I needed — it was something my spirit already knew.

To be honest with you, before the world influenced me, I was just a small girl who loved taking pictures, loved Taylor Swift, and loved playing outside with her friends or in sports.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
That’s a great question. I think my alchemy — my ability to transform energy — has become stronger as I’ve learned how to transmute negative emotions into positive momentum. It took having my heart absolutely shattered, multiple times, to understand that.

The moment I realized how powerful pain can be was one morning when I woke up around 7 a.m. and wrote a song called “That’s On You.” I took it to my engineer and we created the mastered version that same day. I couldn’t believe what I had made — honestly, I still can’t. That song is deeply personal and vulnerable for me; it’s like a letter about how badly I wanted to build a life with someone at that time.

“That’s On You” taught me that vulnerability is beautiful. Pain can be captivating and illuminating. I also learned how therapeutic and exhilarating it is to create music born from your pain.

I have another song that’s not out yet called “Hollywood’s Ruined Me.” Personally, I think my sad songs are some of my best-written. I’m still learning how to perform them — it’s scary, because it feels like I’m stripping away my mask and letting strangers read my diary. I have so much respect for artists who share their pain so openly; it takes real courage.

Now, I genuinely look forward to making music because I’m proud of myself every time I finish a song like that. They never would’ve existed if it weren’t for those uncomfortable, aching moments of wanting to be understood.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I will be the best performing artist in the world one day. The idea of traveling the world, connecting with people through my art, and singing on stage while acting out my own works? Golden. Solid. SOLD. On the way.

I’m also deeply passionate about real estate and determined to close my first wholesale deal. It hasn’t been easy, but I refuse to give up. I truly love real estate and plan to integrate it into my portfolio as my career continues to grow.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people often misunderstand my intentions. I’m genuinely such a sweet person, but I also know how to sit in my power when I’m in certain rooms. There’s a certain way you have to carry yourself so people respect your position as an artist — adjusting your crown, as they say.

At the end of the day, my intentions for people are pure. My purpose came to me when I was 15: I aspire to inspire others. Whatever someone’s dream life looks like, I want to see them accomplish it — almost like a consultant, you could say.

I’ve built a big, glamorous life from a small country town simply because I wanted to experience more. I didn’t like that money limited the joys my family could experience growing up, and that instilled a deep drive in me. I don’t like being told “no” when I know there’s a way.

What fulfills me most is seeing people become inspired by my determination — watching them start to brainstorm ways to get closer to their passions. Some may think I’m in this for fame or attention, and while the lifestyle can be fun, that’s not my purpose. At the end of the day, I’m delivering a message — that’s why my lyrics sound the way they do: to motivate.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
IAmBWild , Mor Bookings, SeanShotThat, Crazyfolio, and JHENLEY MEDIA

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