We recently connected with Melissa LoPiccolo and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Melissa , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I used to compare myself to friends who devote their whole existence to becoming the BEST at music, or writing, or filmmaking, or being a businessperson, or a sport. I saw myself as someone who did everything half assed. Imposter syndrome has affected me in pretty much every aspect of my career and creative endeavors. As a woman with an endless list of interests that I’ve made “public”, I often felt like I’m not REALLY doing anything well enough. I’m a songwriter, but I also like to produce. But I also really enjoy photography. But I also really like making and editing videos. But I also really like modeling. But I also really like my major at school, which is a blend of marketing, graphic design, computer science, and ethics in AI. But I also really want to begin a career in PR. I’ve learned that the only thing I can really do is just keep doing it all. It doesn’t really matter how people perceive my work, if they think I’m spread too thin or if they think I don’t devote enough time to one specific craft. Ive learned that I don’t need to master anything to feel satisfied creatively. I just need to learn something. I’m trying to soak in as many things as I can during my twenties. I don’t think I’m an imposter anymore. I also no longer call myself any one thing. I’m not a musician, or a producer or a photographer or a model or an editor or a writer or a web designer or a graphic designer. I just do my thing, and the fact that I’m doing anything at all is enough validation for me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Most people know me for my music, under the artist name melissa joy. I still haven’t decided on what genre I am, but I’ve reached a total of 78,000 people with my music across the last 4 years. Music is what led me to my other interests, honestly, and I try to do all of it myself. I’ve played several shows throughout NYC while remaining a full time student at Fordham. (I actually plan on graduating early!). I even had the opportunity to open for Peach Tree Rascals earlier this year in January.
Imposter syndrome lately has kept me from releasing music. I compare myself chronically to my peers in the industry, and often worry I’ll be frowned upon if I hop around from hobby to hobby too much. But I’m definitely still writing, producing, and rediscovering who I am as an artist after the debut EP i released when I was 18. I’m about to be 21, and I feel like it’s about time I get my head back in the music game.
I’ve been thinking about where I want to take my music, and I’m positive that whatever project i release next will incorporate the phrase “renaissance girl”. I think it relates a lot to how I’ve grown to love the feeling that I used to call imposter syndrome. I do a little bit of everything I can, and even if I’m not as good as the masters, it still holds just as much value to me in terms of what I get to learn.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Accepting criticism: always ask where you can improve. I’ve asked my partner this. I’ve asked my roommates this. I’ve asked managers and coworkers as well. It’s crazy how much you can learn about yourself if you simply ask the ones who rely on you.
Collaboration: When I get to work with others, whether that be co-writing a song or posing for a photographer friend’s photoshoot idea, I feel so much more enriched. I think a lot of my social life revolves around my hobbies, and I can connect best with people when I create with them.
And finally, be kind. I’ve met cruel people. I’ve been cruel at times myself. Things always work out better when you just take the higher road,
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
Being well rounded has been the one thing that I’ve been consistently confident about. I have learned that in my professional career, people WANT people who can adapt to whatever is thrown at them. In my creative career, I like to force myself to adapt to whatever concept is in my brain.
I also think being well rounded in areas i haven’t mastered means that I’ll always be humble. I’m obviously not exceptional at ANYTHING I do, but hey, I’m good enough cuz I’m trying to learn!
Contact Info:
- Website: melissajoy.me
- Instagram: mxlissajoy
- Youtube: mxlissajoy
Image Credits
Models: Lil Nas X, Angelina Leibman
