Meet Just Angel

We were lucky to catch up with Just Angel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Just Angel, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

Optimism is a funny word. It presents itself in the form of hope, but lowkey. You aren’t jumping out of you skin with absolute assuredness. You are, more, so, designated to the idea that things will work out. I have always had that in me. I’ve never been happy about Gods timing or anything else I don’t have control over, but I have always felt, in the end, things work out. I come from a religious background and from saved parents that taught me the goal is Heaven. No matter what you are going through there is a reward at the end. It’s how you are supposed to live life as a Christian. Believe in something. Worship and give praise. Do as Jesus did and you will make it in. Heaven. There’s no other more rounded view of optimism for me. Everything else seems less major when you think about it. If you treat people right, you will be blessed in doing so. If you are honest, your character will speak for it’s self. Knowing it’s not a struggle, or stretch to do either makes me see things will turn out for my good. That reeks of optimism. God. My parents. Music. that’s where my optimism comes from.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a vocalist, musician, and writer working under the name Just Angel. I lead my band The Wades and perform in theaters and venues across Kansas City and beyond, blending gospel roots, soul, jazz, and rock into performances that honor tradition while creating something new. My artistic journey has carried me from worship leading and background vocals to starring roles in productions such as Texas in Paris and After Midnight, and into original music now streaming in two volumes, Just Angel Pt. 1 & 2.

What excites me most about my work is its power to connect—whether through an intimate lyric, the shared joy of live performance, or the healing dimension of music therapy, which I am currently studying at UMKC Conservatory. Alongside music, I also publish as TigerLilyStar, with my book I’ve Been Havin’ Dreams available on Amazon.

Looking ahead, I’m expanding both performance and creative projects: more band shows, new theater roles, and collaborations that stretch across genres and communities. For me, the brand is less about a name and more about building spaces where music heals, stories matter, and audiences leave feeling more alive than when they came in.

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?

Looking back, the three qualities that shaped my journey most are patience, resilience, and creativity. Patience has taught me how to wait without bitterness, to give people and opportunities their own timing, and to avoid rushing into conflict or decisions before the moment is ready. Resilience has carried me through loss, heartbreak, and rebuilding—through miscarriages, a painful marriage and divorce, and the challenges of raising a teenager while pursuing school and performance. It could have broken me, but instead I found strength in continuing forward. Creativity has been the thread weaving it all together, turning struggle into music, grief into performance, and love into words.

For those at the beginning of their path, my advice is simple: practice patience daily, because it will keep you grounded; build resilience by standing back up after every fall, no matter how small; and protect your creativity fiercely, because it is both compass and healing.

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?

The greatest obstacle I am facing right now is living with the loss of my father, who passed away on December 6, 2024. His absence has left me broken in ways I am still learning how to name. I even released a song, Sad Song, to honor him and to release some of the ache. The grief is daily, but so is the effort to keep moving. I am still in school, pushing myself to make the grades he would have been proud of, while also learning how to parent through loss. My daughter is grieving too—she lost two grandparents within two months—so together we have been finding new ways to live, heal, and grow. We pour ourselves into theater, music, TikToks, and even travel. Trips to New York and Michigan this year gave us memories my father would have loved to see in our photos and videos. I miss him deeply, but honoring him means continuing to build a life full of love, art, and resilience.

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