Jazmine Sullivan Speaks To Issa Rae About Advocating For Women, Therapy & StoryTelling
Singer/Songwriter Jazmine Sullivan recently got candid about therapy, authentic story-telling, and advocating for women in an interview with Issa Rae. Although both women are busy with their upcoming projects, they managed to find time to have a sit down for the July/August issue for ESSENCE magazine.
“Bust Your Windows” singer Jazmine Sullivan met up with Issa Rae for a friendly chat as she will be on the cover of ESSENCE magazine’s Festival of Culture issue.
During the interview, Jazmine opened up about how she utilizes her unsavory moments from her past love life experiences and applies them to her craft. The Philly songstress told Issa, “It’s about being inspired to do it. I don’t want to believe that I’m my best when I’m heartbroken, but a lot of inspiration does come from heartbreak. And it hits a different way if you are going through things personally. Especially if that’s what you like to write about and I do write a lot of heartbreak songs because I’ve been in a lot of bad relationships that just gave me material. Then there’s when the label says, “B–ch, it’s been six years. Just write a damn album!”
She also added how supportive her friend circle was when she would write about it and let them hear it. Jazmine said “They were like, ‘Girl, do your thing…Whatever this leads to.’ “
Additionally, It is highly essential for Jazmine to consistently hold space for womanhood and tell authentic stories. She said, “It was important for me to share the stories of the women I love and hold dear to my heart. She admitted. “I feel like they are just as banging and dynamic as me. And I want to give space and opportunity to women, period. I feel like we get caught up in thinking there’s “only one” of us.
The R&B star also shared that her first visit to a therapist was the first time she expressed her feelings that wasn’t through music. Through her experience, she emphasized that it is important to find the right therapist that fits your specific needs. Jazmine explained, “I went to therapy one time, years ago, and I hated the experience, and I feel like it stopped me from going for a long time. And then I found this new lady, and it’s a totally different experience. So you have to find the right person for you, that you actually want to open up to. But once you do that, a weight lifts off of you.”
After a well-needed break out of the spotlight, Jazmine will be headlining the 2021 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola; while Issa is occupied with filming the fifth and final season of her HBO series, Insecure.
The ESSENCE Festival of Culture will be held virtually on June 25-27 and July 2-4. For more information visit their official website.
