At just 23 years old, Halle Bailey proves to be a multifaceted artist by balancing various artistic endeavors and breaking barriers to carve her own path in the industry. In anticipation of the 66th GRAMMY Awards airing this Sunday, Bailey shared her insights and practical advice during a masterclass hosted in Los Angeles on Friday as part of the annual “GRAMMY Week” celebration. The session was exclusive to members of GrammyU, a program connecting aspiring creatives with music industry professionals.
Moderated by GRAMMY winner and singer-songwriter Muni Long, Bailey discussed her roots in singing, her blossoming acting career and how she maintained authenticity throughout different artistic forms of expressions. Here are the biggest takeaways from the intimate conversation with Bailey.
1. Remember Your Roots
“Anchor yourself with love for your artistry, that’s what matters the most,” Bailey said. In her advice to aspiring artists, she underscored the importance of sticking to one’s roots and not letting the allure of the industry’s glitz and glam be a distraction that divert them from their authentic selves.
For Bailey, this translates to tuning out all distractions, finding solace in her garage with only her pen, notepad and true thoughts — a process fueled by an unwavering love for music. “Things [in the industry] are changing every day but if you find that love for what your passion is, then you should stick to that.”
2. Embrace Change
Bailey started her career at the young age of 11, alongside her big sister Chloe, and the duo posted singing covers on YouTube that garnered millions of views. The singer gushed about the secure feeling of working with her sibling, emphasizing the importance of nourishing a bond like that with someone, especially when making art.
“It’s just amazing to have a partner to encourage you and that’s what [Chloe] has always been for me,” Bailey said. “It’s so cool to be able to do that with somebody that you can fully trust and that believes in you at times when you need it the most.”
Getting the role of Ariel in the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” was a pivotal moment for Bailey, as it started the transition from being part of a powerful duo to navigating solo ventures. “It was a gradual transition that I had to become okay with but it was needed for both of us to find out who we were on our own,” she said.
3. Trust In Yourself
In an industry that is inherently competitive, Bailey candidly advised the audience to not get discouraged by the inevitable rejections and to have faith in their talents.
“Being creatives, sometimes you walk into rooms with opportunities and people that are important and you want them to like you and accept you but if you can find that within yourself and know that, that’s enough,” she said.
For those aspiring to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, Bailey’s guidance is straightforward: “Go, go, go!” She encouraged them to approach the journey like a marathon in which they’re only sprinting forward and past all distractions. “Don’t let anybody stop you, don’t let opinions of others stop you and don’t let your own self doubts stop you.”
The GRAMMYU Masterclass is available for playback on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.
