Jillian Ferrara is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. Born on July 21, 1998, in Staten Island, New York, the beautiful songstress has recently released her EP album called “Intimacy” with a single titled “The Worst Day”.
From an early age, Jillian had a tough life that began with her father deserting the family to understanding how to cope with the fact that she had bipolar disorder. This disorder coupled with the fact that she later learned of her Asperger Syndrome compounded an already difficult life. But for Jillian, this wasn’t the breaking point and no hope was lost as she discovered her passion for music early in life and was determined to pursue it against all odds.
Jillian’s love for music started when she was just three years old. At that time, she began singing and dancing along with Shirley Temple, whom she idolized and watched her every movie for the umpteenth time. Although bullied in elementary school by her peers since she could not keep up with the other kids in sports, social activities and academics, Jillian didn’t give up schooling. Sadly, she didn’t even have one friend to lean on for support. She transferred to another school in the 3rd grade with the hopes that the bullying would stop, but the pattern was the same regardless of the schools she attended. Yet that didn’t deter her from continuing with her education.
At the age of ten, Jillian already knew what she wanted to be and decided to pursue a career in singing, acting, and dancing. Bette Midler became her role model, but she also studied the techniques of Barbra Streisand, Britney Spears, Madonna, etc. Jillian went on auditions at the St. George Theater, a community theater in Staten Island. She was featured in The St. George Theater Christmas Spectacular for two years. She was a ballerina in the Nutcracker Suite for a year and in the chorus and nativity another year.
She was fortunate to land the part of Glinda the Good Witch in the Wiz while playing numerous ensemble parts as a singer, actress, and dancer. Jillian’s final role in the theater scene was as The Matron and numerous parts and solos in “Hairspray.”
Jillian was determined to become an artist and create her own music. Thus, at 18 years of age, she went to Fenix Studios for Artist Development Training where she wrote, recorded and performed with the Studio for nearly three years. At the time she left the Studio, she was already exposed to numerous opportunities. Jillian started working with Beat Author at the age of 20 and is releasing her first EP album called “Intimacy” in June 2019, debuting her single “The Worst Way.”
Jillian’s “Intimacy” EP album is available on On iTunes. Apple Music and Spotify.
Streaming Link: https://open.spotify.com/album/6ttEG4MobDbhMPqG2NDdMX?si=ohaLsymHQ_Cz-jtKi5jWDA
London Post had a candid sit down with Jillian:
Thanks for your time today! How has 2019 been treating you? Musically, did you approach this year any differently than you guys did last year? You’re welcome ! Thank you for the interview!! 2019 has been treating me really well! I just can’t believe everything that has been happening I feel like I’m in a dream. I did approach this year differently then I did last year. I’m more focused than I’ve ever been in a long time, I’ve put my best foot forward, and I constantly take singing lessons each week.
Where does this interview find you today? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it? What kind of music do you listen to when you are working? What music gets you instantly out of a bad mood? Thank you for taking the time to interview me! There is music playing in the background. I’m listening to Bette Midler! When I’m working I listen to Bette Midler, Cher, Britney Spears, Katey Sagal, Madonna, and Pat Benatar. But when I’m in a bad mood I listen to Bette Midler. She is my all time favorite artist. I also listen to Eminem, Led Zeppelin, and Queen.
Growing up, have you always wanted to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory? Yes growing up I wanted to be a musician. Music has always been a very important aspect in my life because as a kid I sang and danced to Shirley Temple. My earliest musical memory was when I was 9 or 10 years old my mom showed me the movie Hello, Dolly! I listened to Barbra Streisand for the first time. Out of nowhere I came out singing. That’s how my family and I discovered that I had a singing voice.
If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? If I wasn’t a musician today I would still want to be in the entertainment business either as an actress, a dancer, or a person that does burlesque like in that movie with Cher and Christina Aguilera. I love everything about the entertainment business its fascinating.
I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. I come from New York City. A lot of my influence came from Manhattan because of broadway shows and as a child I wanted to be a dancer on Broadway. Besides Broadway there’s the people that perform in the subway stations at the ferry terminals. I always looked at them and thought they have a lot of courage and confidence to just sing in front of people. I was very shy growing up so to sing in front of family and people was hard for me.
Let’s talk about your newest EP called “INTIMACY”. Where did the inspiration for this EP come from? The inspiration came from watching Bette Midler, Britney Spears, and Madonna. I saw the bawdiness and the raunchiness of there acts and said to my songwriters at the time I want to write songs about sex. I took pages from their books and created Intimacy.
How do you think that being a musician has helped you live your best life? Can you talk about the joy that it brings you today? Being a musician has helped me live my best life. I suffer from Depression, Anxiety, Bi polar, and Aspergers Syndrome. Being a musician helps me stay on a leveled path with my Bi Polar and Depression. It brings me such joy because it keeps me busy and I focus on being the best I can be.
What are your plans for the rest of the year? I’m definitely gonna make more music. Also I’m gonna gear up for performances and work out. I’m turning 21 so I’m gonna live my best life and party. Beat Author is working on my next single to be released after the summer as a follow up to Intimacy. We plan on releasing two more singles this year and then a full length album come next summer.
.
Who are some of your very favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Bette Midler is my role model i just love her. I like Cher, Madonna, Britney Spears Cardi B, Ariana Grande, and Pat Benetar. The musicians that have continued to inspire me is Bette Midler, Britney Spears, Madonna, Ariana Grande, and Cardi B.
What musicians would you absolutely love to work with in the future? I would love to work with Ariana Grande, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, and Bette Midler. They are all such great artist it would be honored to work with them.
What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs? I hope young girls don’t get the message to do bad things at a young age because they can hurt themselves. What I hope people can take away from my songs is that sexiness is a confidence booster. For example, if a girl doesn’t like the way she looks in the mirror and she puts on makeup and sexy outfit and says I feel like a million dollars or I feel sexy. It should make them feel better about themselves. if a couple wants to take things to the next level these songs are definitely a way to show it.
