These Fukken Feelings Podcast© - Unleashing the Power of Vulnerability: Manasseh's Samone's Incredible Journey | Season 2.5 Ep: 113

Episode Date: July 13, 2023

Send us a Text Message.Join us on an extraordinary episode of These Fukken Feelings Podcast as we sit down with the incredibly talented and fiercely authentic artist, Manasseh-Samone. In this captivating interview, we delve deep into Manasseh's journey from being a standout contestant on The Voice to becoming a beacon of strength and vulnerability in the music industry.Manasseh-Samone, known for her mesmerizing vocal range and soul-stirring performances, takes us on a rollercoaster ride of em...

you don't have to be positive all the time it's perfectly okay to feel sad angry annoyed frustrated scared and anxious having feelings doesn't make you a negative person it doesn't even make you weak it makes you human and we are here to talk through it all we welcome you to these fucking feelings podcast a safe space for all who needs it grab a drink and take a seat. The session begins now. What is up guys? Welcome to these fucking feelings podcast. I am Micah. I got my girl Rebecca over here co-hosted with me for this evening. And we're on with the incredible Manessa Simone. I broke it. I'm like, we're just going to give you a round of applause.

All right, here we go. Manessa, I said, look, I was going to wait for you because they wouldn't understand what I was saying. Whitney Houston, right? Remember how she first came out and she was like really dope. And then it kind of got like to a point in her career where she was always sweating and she was always with the little napkin. I know people like correlated to drugs and stuff. Like they thought like she was doing drugs and stuff. But that's me. Like I'm always sweating and stuff.

I feel like Whitney Houston. And I don't do no drugs other than weed. But. You get what I'm talking about and stuff. I feel like Whitney Houston. And I don't do no drugs other than weed, but... You get what I'm talking about? No? Yeah. That's fine. I mean, I love Whitney Houston, but I guess I never realized that that's what she... I mean, yeah. Maybe

in, like, the early years of her career. No, the later years. The later years. It was like the later years, she just always was so sweaty. She was. She was. And, you know, people always say it all because, you know, it's drugs and this kind of thing. And I'm like, I just think it's hormones because I... Because you sweat all the time. Oh, my God.

It's so bad. They thought I was going to pass out earlier today. I know. It was running down his face. And you're in Texas, correct? Yes. Houston? Dallas. Dallas.

Dallas. Born and raised? Born and raised. So usually we ask people to give us a little bit about ourselves, but I kind of want to... So you're a preschool teacher? Yeah, I am. I'm a preschool teacher. How did that happen? Well, first I started me being a worship leader and stuff like that and being part of like the church and stuff and singing and being a part of that they ended up having a

program uh where they wanted to start having like preschool teaching and stuff like that and i was already watching kids um while the parents were going into church and stuff so i was already watching them so i was like why not me you know a part of this. So that's how it all started. So I love it. I love it. I love taking, taking care of the kids. And I feel like what happens when you're young has a big, it plays a big part when you're older. And I know that you had a story like that too. I know they said you used to suffer from, or. And I know that you had a story like that too. I know they said you used to suffer from, or not really suffer,

but you had a lot of self image issues. Yes. Yes. And so number one, did you know you always wanted to sing? I'm sorry. I got like 50. I know.

Okay. I'm like, I'm so sorry. Cause it's like, it's like, I want to get to a point, but then I feel like people don't know enough about Manessa, you know. So a few minutes, three minutes of the show. He's like bombarded.

Yeah. But we're going to get to the bigger picture. I promise. So singing, is that something you always knew you wanted to do? So the fun fact about that is actually actually i wanted to be a wnba player basketball i was athlete when i was younger i used to play all the time and i would sing too but i was more so interested in basketball so if anything i wanted to become a basketball player before i became a singer and And then I injured myself. I ended up falling more into music. And I just fell more in love with it.

And it just became my primary thing, you know? Oh, my God. I know. It's really funny. I was showing my co-worker. So we have a co-worker who's, like, tough as nails. Her name is Beth. And I was showing her your performance

that you did with sorella am i saying that yes yes first of all i think blake has something when he says that y'all need to do a record together like y'all need to do a record together okay because the way that y'all blended was so dope but it made her cry i know she's gonna get me when she sees this and that's huge because beth does not god yeah she was like and it was you that made her cry you were like so into it and she was like oh my god she's so passionate about it and i'm like yeah so and beth is like the dinosaur you hear me like not because she's old, but because she's tough. Oh, wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. That's amazing.

How old are you? 22? You're still 22? Or is it 23 now? I'm 23. I turned 23 in January. January what? Third. 19. Hey, Capricorn. Period. I like the threes because I'm March 3rd. March 3rd. Okay. And that's the third month as I'm March 3rd. March 3rd. Okay.

And that's the third month as well. Uh-huh. I know that's right. So you do number stuff. Okay. I see you. So this was your second time auditioning for The Voice. If you guys don't know Manessa, sorry.

I know I just came into this thing with a billion questions. Manessa was- Apparently he's going to tell everybody everything about you. About you. Right. I'm going to tell people about you. But Manessa was a contender on The Voice this last season. She was on Chance's team. Shout out to Chance.

Right. And I feel like him and Kelly Clarkson were getting high together. Can't nobody tell me nothing. There are a couple of those things where Kelly and him were just weak for no reason. And I'm like, they smoking that stuff backstage. But this was your second time auditioning, correct? First time you didn't get a chair turn? Well, technically I auditioned three times. I auditioned in 2018 and I didn't even make it. I didn't even make it like at all. Not even close. Then the second time was the 22nd season and I didn't get no chair turn.

And then this time was my third time and I actually made it far in the competition. I know, which is pretty, pretty great. I think you should have won, but you know what? Ain't nobody asking me for my opinion.

I appreciate that so much. But let's go ahead and talk a little bit about you and let you tell yourself to the people. Let's go ahead and properly, Manessa Simone. I'm 23 years old. I'm from Dallas, Texas. And I am a preschool teacher. And I also am a music major. And I am pursuing opera music as well. I am writing my music as well. I'm doing a lot of stuff. I'm juggling a lot of stuff right now as far as the transition from the show and just figuring out life. And so, yeah, it's honestly a pleasure to be able to meet everybody that's watching. I hope that you rock with me.

But we already rocking with you. Oh, yeah, for sure. So I know it was saying like the second time you didn't get a chair turn and kind of like did something to your self-esteem. Like, was it really, really hard? I guess talk about that. And then how did you dig yourself out of that? Ooh, we lost you. We can't hear you. You can hear us, but I guess we can't hear you.

Uh-oh. There you go. You can hear me now? I can hear you now. Okay, perfect. Hold on, what happened? That was weird. Excuse us, guys god we just had

a little bit of a little bit of technical difficulty yeah so the second time that i went um i you know i had a very high hope so you know i would have got a chair turn you know i'm thinking yes this is my big break this is gonna happen for me. And I sank and nobody turned. I was so distraught. I bet. And I remember after I had left, like, I remember everybody, like, the team was coming to me. And they were just like, we sorry, you know, don't give up. Like, they were so, like like encouraging during that process for me

and but after i got home like i was a wreck i know you're like i ain't trying to hear that shit you ain't with me don't give up now you know like right you didn't turn so it's like what am i like i don't know how to feel at this moment like my mental was really not in a good good state like i was doubting myself. I didn't feel like I was good enough. Um, I kind of didn't even want to do music for a while. And, um, as the time grew by, you know, I came to terms that, um, it's okay. Uh, what had happened and that I was wanting to just move forward and just let it all go, just let it all go.

And it's like when I accepted what, for what it was, that's when like everything started to happen for me, which was crazy. Cause they called me back like, Hey, uh, we would love for you to come back. And everything's just happened so fast after that. Wow. That's pretty cool that they reached out to you. That's like, I did it. I thought you kind of like auditioned again type of thing. So that's kind of cool. Um, let's go back a little further though, into your childhood, because, um, I know you were, you were raised without a father around and that kind of played a lot into who you are, uh, mentally. Like I know it played

a big part on your mental health. So tell us a little bit about that. Yeah. So fun fact, that's what the someone like you kind of was about. That's why it was so much passion behind it, because the storyline of that is really more so a self-love type of thing. And I know like Adele is talking about her lover and like the person that, you know, don't no longer, the person that has that she loves has moved on. Right. So for me, in a way, it was more so my dad wasn't in my life.

So, you know, instead of, you know, me going out looking for love in the wrong person, I'm going to love myself so someone like you was a reference to myself my older self and it was kind of a conversation with my younger self and my older self healing in that moment yes it was a very healing performance for me yeah it was it was so dope yeah so it really touched me that your friend, like, that she really felt me. Because, like, it was really something real that I was talking about, like, as in what the song meant to me. Definitely. And I think that's what everybody saw. Everybody saw your passion, but also kind of, like, your soul in the middle of it.

Because, you know, it was like you. I think, like, even Kelly was like, even when the other girls were singing, you were just over there like rocking, like, give me the whole song. You definitely put yourself out there on that floor. You were definitely present. So now, I think I read somewhere that it said that you did have like self-esteem issues. And why was that? What were things that you used to question about yourself growing up? So I used to be bullied when I was younger. And then I think it really started just with the root of my father not really being in my life. And so it's kind of like, what is it that's wrong with me that makes him not want to be in my life? And it made me start questioning myself as if something may be wrong with me.

So it was really difficult for me to love myself because it felt like my own blood feels like he doesn't love me you know what I'm saying so that's where it really like rooted from and then as I was getting bullied in school it was just like okay people just don't seem to like me and I don't understand so it questioned a lot for me but with the support of my mom because my mom was like my greatest like my biggest fan. Of course. And like, she definitely poured a lot of love into me and, you know, especially just having God as well. That's like you say, you're also a very faithful person, correct? Yes.

Yes. Yes. Most definitely. Like, I feel like a lot of the stuff that I went through as far as my self-image issues that I dealt with when I was younger, I kind of think about it now. I'm like, how did I get past that? Right. And it's so funny because you're saying younger and you're like 23

and we're all like 60 over here looking at you like, okay, when you was younger. You mean yesterday? Same. I have a son who's almost 21. So it's like, yeah. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. And I have a son who's almost 21. So it's like, yeah. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. And I have grandchildren.

Oh, really? No, I'm joking. I was about to say, in a way. I am 44. You don't look like it. You look good. That's true. So I kind of wanted to do something real quick.

We just want to know as much as we can know about Vanessa and as much time as we can. So favorite food. Sushi. Really? That's not what I would have guessed. Me neither. What would y'all have guessed? I don't know.

I would have thought something at least like pizza or something. Right. I would have thought something like that, like pizza or. That's so, I don't know. You said have thought something at least like pizza or something. Right, I would have thought something like that, like pizza or... That's so, I don't know. You said sushi, okay. Generic. That's crazy, sushi. Okay. So that's cool. That shows that you're kind of, how they say it, like your experiment.

So that's a good thing. Can I change it? If it's not the truth. I mean, I like sushi, but I just thought about it. I love Indian food more sushi, but I just thought about it. I love Indian food more than sushi. I know. What's that bread?

Is it roti? Non. It's non. Oh, they're non. Okay. I always mix up like who's roti. I think it's Trinidadian. I love the bread.

I'm just a bread person. It's so good. Indian. So you're adventurous when it comes to food, I guess. Yes, I am. Okay. Favorite color? Purple. Yes, I know. Okay, favorite color? Purple.

Why? Ooh, I like it. Purple just, it's just giving me royalty vibes. I was going to say, you know, purple is the color of royalty. That's what they say. You seem like a queen to me. Right, you do. That's what I said the other day. She is queen, Manessa.

I love y'all so much. It's so sweet. Oh, trust me. We're definitely fans said the other day. She is queen, Manessa. I love y'all so much. It's so sweet. Oh, trust. We're definitely fans. Oh, yeah. Yeah. But I think that your story and Rebecca's right. I'm trying to ask everything. I know. You're going so fast. Right. It's like we have time. Take a breath.

Manessa, sing for me, girl. Go ahead. Calm me down a little bit. Give me something real. Whatever comes to your mind. I'm going to just let you do it. Never mind if I find someone like you. I wish nothing but the best for you.

I love it. Me too. I used to be able to sing when I was younger, right? I was a soprano and then, like most guys, I got older and my voice changed. And now, I don't know. People tell me I lost how to sing from my diaphragm,

I guess. Maybe I don't know how to do it no more. A lot of people, a lot of, that's so true, because a lot of male singers, they go through that phase where they can sing really high when they're younger, and then puberty hits, and then you can't find your voice in a way, Cause you've been so used to singing in that higher. And then you kind of feel like you've lost it, but you have to like, it's really just technique and just going in and getting like, you know, lessons to learn your new voice. I love that, but I'm like, number one, do I have time for lessons?

I always thought I could sing, but I recently, past year or so, learned that I can't carry a tune in a bucket. I like to think I can. You hear this girl? Yeah. She wanted to know, she had a question for you about Blake Sheldon. Yeah, is he as cute in person as

he is on TV? He is cute in person, yeah, for sure. I thought you'd say no. He's so tall. He's so tall. That's what I was going to say. Is he tall, huh? You're pretty tall too, though, right? How tall are you? Yeah, I'm 6'1". That's what I thought.

That's pretty dope. I see now why you wanted to play basketball. I always wanted to be taller. But I also can see why that was different and people bullied. Because anything that's just out of the norm, people just kind of, you know, I feel like all of us here. My daughter is taller than me. And she doesn't like it that she's that tall. And how old is she?

She's young, right? She's going to be 17. Yeah, that's how I was, too, because I was always getting talked about my height. But now everybody wants to be tall. Right. And that's how I was too, because I was always getting talked about my height, but now everybody wants to be tall. Right. And that's why I was going to say, so did you still, like, are you like a heel person, even though you're tall? Can you still wear heels? Do you like heels? I do like heels, but I do prefer sneakers over heels. But if I have to step out, I'm going to step. Okay, I know that. Now, dating, are you dating anybody? out, I'm going to step. Okay. I know that. Now, dating. Are you dating anybody?

No, I'm not. Okay. So y'all, Manessa is single, which I got to go through me first. We're going to check it out because we're not going to mess up. I'm going to say, I'm going to give you, in about two years, you're going to have six Grammys. Okay? Period. I receive.

And since you're receiving, you have to take me with you because I predicted it. And I will. I won't forget you. It's recorded. It is recorded. It's recorded. It's not just Micah. It's Rebecca, too. I think she can only bring, like, one person. It's a package deal. The one person is

me. But do you prefer, like, shorter guys or taller guys? Is a thing so like this is a good question i'm glad you asked this because for me it's kind of like i don't know it's like i don't want a short guy because i'm so tall right but i mean if the guy is really giving what's supposed to be gay then i guess i'm gonna be with the short guy i know because it's bad like that answer it is a very good answer. It's like you don't want to discriminate, but then it's also like you have a preference.

And I think that's where people get it mixed up. It's like you love his heart. But have you dated anybody shorter than you? Yes, I have. Oh, OK. But I guess it didn't work out. Well, look, I used to have people say they say, well, you lay down, you're both the same size. But I'm like, no, you still, if I feel your feet at my knees, it's an issue.

Oh, Jesus. Vanessa's like, I don't know what I'm going to do with that. Yeah, yeah. So, church, is that something you kind of always did, grew up in church? Yes, I grew up in church. Very a woman of my faith. But yeah, I definitely grew up in church. My family as well.

I was raised in church. I sang in church. I didn't really start singing, though, until I was like eight years old. But I didn't start taking it really serious until i hit 14 years old that's when it it really start start going choir now do you lead it um i don't lead choir like because i always i'm doing a lot of my own stuff now so i go you know when i can but as far as like i don't lead it but i do like to lead praise and worship like i I just recently got someone want me to lead worship August in August. And I'm definitely going to check my schedule out to see.

What does that mean, though, the lead worship? It's like praise part. So it's kind of like, you know, new age they call it the uh an experience um but it's uh but the old age called it more like just worship as in like you get to like more of a spiritual thing where you're able to like connect through like worship music and connect on the spiritual level with everyone as in they're like all together worshiping God. So that's kind of me leading. I'm leading you into a place where you can't really see, but you can feel, you know? Right. Okay.

That actually was really dope too. So I'm a person that struggles with faith because I had a lot of traumatizing experiences in my life. So one aspect is like, okay, yeah, I can see there's a God. And it'd be weird thing because I had this plant. The plant died, right? My mama was away, and I was like, Lord, if she come home and this plant is still dead, I'm going to be dead, right? So I started taking care of it real quick. I went to sleep, and I woke up the next day, and it was alive again.

And I was like, okay, I kind of see like the presence of God in that right but then it's like you you look at these things so much horrible stuff is happening in this world and you're like so I guess my question is to you as someone who is you know you're more I'm gonna say you're more experienced in faith like how do you what do you suggest someone like me does to continue searching because sometimes that's the hard. Sometimes I don't want to search because I'm scared. I say like ignorance is bliss, you know, like I don't know about it. So I'm happy. You know what I'm saying? That's why I'm happy. You call them ignorant all you want to. They have it, you know, but I feel like if I continue to dig into it, I'm going to turn myself away from it more. Okay. So one thing, you know, me as a believer, I struggle too. You know what I'm saying? Like that's me being transparent.

I struggle. But one thing that I do, I like, I love to pray and worship, like leading worship as well helps me because if I'm able to reach people and they're able to feel, you know what I'm saying? Like, I feel like a lot of like the evidence is, is in what we feel and not so more what we see. And, um, that's kind of like something that I am able to, to relate to. Like, I see what God has done for me as in like, for me going, me going away from like getting declined multiple times, you know, rejection, rejection, rejection from since I was a kid to now, and then from like being publicized of rejection and then him raising me back up and then coming back and being more stronger. It really shows that a lot of the lessons that, and the

things that we come, that comes to kind of like weigh us down, it really shapes us into who we supposed to be. And so I definitely, I look at my life and I look at all the things that, that could have been worse or that could have been, you know, that could have been worse or, um, that actually improved, you know what I'm saying? So I look at my life as a testimony and I also look at, I pray a lot. Um, I say fasting definitely helps, uh, reading the Bible too, as well. And then sometimes people read the Bible, they don't understand it. Right. And so that's another thing. And that can also kind of make people like, this doesn't make any sense. You know what I'm saying?

Sometimes I've been reading the Bible, I be like, God was mean. God, you are mean, God. You over here just killing people, having 40 days of water. That is mean. So yeah, that's what I'm saying. I read the Bible and I ask God for

understanding of what it is that he's wanting me to know because of what he wants me to understand what he's saying in that scripture. So and that's that's another thing. And then also just really getting around other people that, you know, that can help you understand, you know what I'm saying? Or they can help you grow. And even if, even in the smallest things, like if you just have that one friendship that, you know, they're not going to judge you based off just because you don't necessarily believe, or you don't, your faith is, you know, not as, may not be as big, or you, you don't want, you don't see things the same way that they do. It's kind of just like, you just have to, because sometimes I feel like people that don't see things the same way that they do. It's kind of just like, you just have to, because sometimes I feel like people that don't believe or they are struggling with their faith, they don't really, they don't always feel seen by people that do, you know what I'm saying? That do

believe, you know what I'm saying? So I guess it just depends on the person that does believe. Are they really a reflection of God's love? You know what I'm saying? Are they really showing God's love by loving people and by accepting people? You know what I'm saying? So, yeah, those are the things that I do to help me with my faith because it's an everyday thing. And honestly, I struggle with it as well. So you're not alone.

Even the people that you might feel like they may be the greatest with their faith, I struggle with it as well. So you're not alone. Like even the people that you might feel like they may be like the greatest with their faith. Like I struggle with mine too, because circumstances and life and all these things that happen. But I just, I go back and I think about all the things that he has done, you know, that reminds me that he still is God and he still is the one that can change it. Change it even if it feels like it can't be changed, you know? I see you. That was a good answer. I didn't mean to make it religious, but I had to ask because.

No, no, no. You're great. You're great. Yeah, because you can tell that you carry your faith with you. You know, it's like you can see it on you. Yeah, it's a big part of who you are. Yeah, and you can see it. It's even in your little runs, you know? It's like you can see it on you yeah and you can see it it's even in in your little runs you know it's like okay all right when you do record are you

has it ever occurred to you to maybe do a gospel record yes um yes so with the music that i'm like currently writing um actually it's a really good thing that you brought that question up, Micah, because it's really more of a transparent type of thing with the struggle of my circumstances and then me communicating to God about it because I feel like a lot of things in the Christian community is kind of like silence in a way. And I don't want to be the person that, you know, thinks that Christianity, I don't want people to think that Christianity is just unicorns and rainbows all the time. So yes, I have, uh, be writing songs about like gospel tunes, worship tunes, but it's going to be more so on like a transparent side of like, what's real and what's really happening, um, in my life. And also as well of, uh, as well, like talking to God and, and, and, and the song is really hard for me to explain. It's not like a Tamela man. Tamela man, I feel like,

kind of does that sometimes. She do. She do. I'm down. I'm out. I'm like, God, where you at? She does do that. Yes, she do. So yeah, that's a great example. Right. Okay, but let's talk about

you being compared to J-Hud. Oh my gosh. Jennifer Hudson. I know know oh okay my bad rebecca's like i know who jennifer is yeah that chance said that he thought you reminded him right of yes how was that blew me away i know it did like i couldn't stop talking i would talk to my friends and be like oh my gosh you compare me compared me to Jennifer Hudson. I've always wanted to meet Jennifer Hudson. I've always wanted to sing with her. And I think the reason why

he compared me to a young Jennifer Hudson is because she did get rejected. You know what I'm saying? And a lot of stuff that had happened to her, it's kind of happening to me in some ways, as in my career wise. So like, I feel like I'm on the right path because, you know, she's an EGOT and she's here.

You know, so I feel like I'm on my way there, you know? Yeah, she is an EGOT. That's pretty good. Yep. You not, you're going to get there. You are going to get there. I'm predicting it now. So you went, you grew up, you didn't have your dad.

You went through bullying. You like basketball. You hurt yourself. You can't play basketball no more. How does this person turn into, I'm going to audition for The Voice? I guess I was a little bit, people say this all the time. I was a little bit delusional. Like, I was a little bit, people say this all the time. I was a little bit delusional. Like, I was a little bit delusional.

You know, I'm just having this thought in my mind, like, oh, yes, like I can become this like big star. I can become this. That's not delusional, though. It's not delusional. But in a way, as when I was younger, it was kind of like, that's how I had to get myself to do it in a way. So, and I did it and I kept getting like declined, rejected multiple times. But in my heart, I knew that I wanted to sing and I wanted to like if I was gonna do this like I'm gonna go all the way in right so you know it didn't really affect me too much when it start when I started out doing it until like I got closer to it right and then it was just like it started to have more

of an effect on me so it was just it was just purpose it was destined like for me. So it was just, it was just purpose. It was destined like for me to do this because I don't even really remember how like it happened. But one thing, one thing now that you got to do those that you got to change your vocabulary. We can't lose. We can't use delusional no more. You're right. You're right. You are, you are living part of your dream and you may not which you're still winning. But I also want to say, you know, we're mental health every day and there are positive self-talks and there are negative self-talk. And if you're telling yourself that this is a delusional concept and even the people around you and trust, I know how it is, especially like growing up in urban communities where you feel like that's all you're going to be. I grew up in an urban community and, you know, it like, you ain't never going to be nothing but this, you know,

that it's hard to like have dreams and to want to do things and people will consider that delusional. And so anybody that is in your life that says that you stop their ass. I'm not necessarily saying that I'm delusional now. No, no, no, no. I know. I know. I just wanted to just make sure that you take that out of your vocabulary. Yes, yes, yes. Because, you know, it's like words have power and meaning. They do.

You're so right. So, Manessa is going, we already said two years, you're going to win six Grammys. So, how can we get there if you over here being Lulu? You know what I'm saying? So, I just wanted to, you teaching me, I wanted to teach you a little bit. Are you at the stage where you have to disguise yourself

to go to the grocery store and, you know, you're bombarded with the paparazzi and stuff? That'd be crazy. Honestly, I probably would love that. Like, I'd probably be doing the most, honestly. Right, that part. Like, I'm going to give you a show. People are always doing this. I'm like, I'm going love that. I'd probably be doing the most. Right, that part. I'm going to give you a show.

I'm going to pose for the camera. This is my good side. I can see how that can be invading, though. I like my personal space. If there's somebody outside of my window while I'm in my personal space, that's a little weird. It is.

I don't even think they can go in public places and do that. But you do have a distinct look and then you're so tall. So do people notice you and recognize you? Yes. That's why if I ever don't want to be seen, I definitely will be changing my hair color. I figured that. I was like, she's going to get rid of that red hair and wear a hat.

Do people recognize you now? Yes, they do. They do. And they're like, oh, my gosh. Like, I've had, my sister was out. And, you know, my sister was on the show as well. Like, if you've seen her, like, in the background for the Friends family. So she was out. And one lady, like, came up to her.

And she was like, oh, oh my gosh I see your sister and like, oh my gosh, I love when she did this performance. She just started naming every performance and I was just thinking like, that's crazy how people are able to know that, you know? It's pretty cool that you're touching people at

23, you know what I'm saying? That your voice is so soulful and amazing that you're like, you know, like, I turned and looked at Beth, and she was like, it makes you want to cry. And she's like crying in tears, and I'm like, maybe I shouldn't have showed you this right now.

And then she like, two minutes later, she's like, I'm leaving for the day. And I'm like, damn, did I make a goal? Oh my gosh. So what did you do to her? So... The emotion, my gosh. So what did you do to her? Okay. So. Emotion. The pain.

Right. It was. I mean, it really, it was my, it's my favorite. I showed everybody I see. I'd be like, y'all seen this? It's just random. Like, have you seen this? I do.

That's why I had to reach out to you. Because I was like, I have to get her up here to talk. Because everything about, you kind of said it, everything about your journey is shows purpose you know and you didn't make the first time they called you back chance picked you the first playoff pass ever yes come on now and it really shows like in the moment because after i had got um rejected the second time that i went season 22. Right. I was in the hotel room and my sister was like, it's not over. Like, she's like something.

I just feel like this is not the end. Like this can't be the end. Like she was really like speaking life and, and she was right because I came back and the fact that I was the first playoff pass ever in history, it's just kind of like, it really shows that what feels like in the moment of what we're going And the fact that I was the first playoff pass ever in history, it's just kind of like, it really shows that what feels like in the moment of what we're going through, it might feel like it's the end of the world.

Everything's crashing down. It really shows that God designed things to happen for our good. You know what I'm saying? So it's like for that, in the moment I was torn down, but I'm like, I'm glad that they didn't turn because there would never be another first playoff pass it will always be another winner of the voice but it'll never be a first

playoff pass so I'm glad that I got to hold that and cherish that so I knew he was going to do it though so I'm just going to tell you I knew that he was going to do it though so I'm just going to tell you I knew that he was going to do it it wasn't that hard to see because it was like I kind of agree

with him a little bit because Sorella they sounded like the Chipettes like little chipmunks I'm not saying that disrespectfully but I mean like you know you know what I'm talking about you never seen Alvin and the Chipmunks yeah I've seen it and the Chipettes you know like how they're just like it was just kind of like,

you know, like... So in tune with one another. Yeah, they're so, like, unified. Right, and it was like, you know, it seemed fake, you know, so it was like, I could see why they won the battle, but they ain't win, for real, for real, you know? I'm sorry, Vanessa. She's like,

I'm gonna edit that part out I'm gonna edit it out when we put it on the other thing Sorella I love y'all too y'all can come up here too for real But let's go back into you preschool You're impacting lives now at a young age And how do you do that at 23 number number one? But do you think, like, is that something that you think about? Are you conscious of the fact that things that I do now to these kids at this age could impact how they grow up? Yes. Because I know that there's a lot

of stuff that I went through as a child affected me. Like, I'm doing all of the work and the healing now and you know breaking these these traumas and all this stuff so it's like yeah and sometimes i don't want to be that person where i don't want to be the person that that kid thinks of and be like when they're like 20 oh i remember miss miss manessa she was doing this like i don't want them to look at me in any way but good. You know what I'm saying? And I'm really huge on them voicing and speaking their minds and saying how they feel without feeling like they can't, you know because I think that's important allowing them to be able to say how they feel and not trying to like oh you know try to make them not feel comfortable enough to really say how they feel so I feel like having a voice at a young age plays a part so then they grow up to be

great leaders and they're not going to just you know put up with anybody and put up with just anything you know I'm saying they know their worth you know and they know they're not going to just, you know, put up with anybody and put up with just anything. You know what I'm saying? They know their worth, you know, and they know they're worth enough to be able to speak up about it. That's great. So besides teaching the young ones and singing in the choir, what are some other things that you like to do? Besides singing and the working? Okay. Well, honestly, I love to play video games okay i love i am a gamer and i'm not one of those gamer girls that's trash at the

game like oh but you mean like console playstation 5 gaming you talking about that kind of gamer yes i thought you were talking about everything like. Everything. You be talking crap to people. I do. Yes, I love to game. I love to go shopping. I love clothes. I love makeup. Makeup is my thing.

I love to do my makeup and doll up. Did you do your own makeup on The Voice? Because it was pretty amazing. Oh, actually, we had a glam team. They did my makeup. I don't have one, so I got to use this little paper. But we're going to get there. We're going to get there.

Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. No, you're okay. Yeah, I really like to spend a lot of time with my family and my best friend as well and friends in general as well. So that's kind of something that I like to do on my downtime. I like to really just to be in the now of life, like no social media, no any of that. Just more so just being present with like family and just enjoying creating memories, you know, you know, they're only the, that I can make for myself. So now we have a 23 year old young woman who is watching this episode.

And if they're not watching now, they will see it. Okay. Because they're going to watch, right? But, but they're like lost. And you're sitting here talking about your healing journey. Like, I guess it's a two part question, like I always do. Number one, when did you know that you needed to heal from trauma? And then two, how did you start going about handling it? That's a good question. think um when i knew that i didn't start healing was when i would go about my day and i would just start crying like i would just start crying like it's like a wave that comes over me you know and what was the other question she was like you're gonna going to give me all these questions. What would you say? What would you say to someone who knows, like, I need healing? I, you know, it was like, because

I feel like no one, like you have to want it. You have to recognize that, okay, something's wrong and something needs to change. And there's a lot of people now we can use delusional because there are a lot of people who are delusional, who don't think they have trauma. You know, there's a lot of people now we can use delusional because there are a lot of people who are delusional, who don't think they have trauma. You know, there's nothing wrong. I'm good. You know, I just don't want to accept and embrace that kind of trauma. But then there's people that are embracing it. And it sounds like that's what you're doing. Realizing like, OK, things in my life cause trauma. How did what would you say to somebody to get them to start on the journey or how what will be your advice on where they should start oh so i definitely feel like one thing that i did was i stopped trying to control things that i had no control over and i feel like when you let go of that control and it's still a walk for me

now right where like you will want something to work out so bad whether that's a relationship or you want this this um whatever you're working on just whatever it may be or whatever it is that that's causing you trauma right you want it to you know work out and you you start to force it and i feel like when you forcing it you're only doing yourself more damage and i feel like the biggest thing that really helped me was acceptance and i feel like when you accept it's like it no longer has like that control like you accept it and i feel like you have to like you have to accept it in order for you to be able to truly like heal to start the healing process i feel like you can't heal and still like not accepting it you know what i'm saying like you're like yeah like if you're still you're still thinking about

like oh what i could do you know to change you know, of something that you can't control is like, you have to just get to a point where you look at yourself in the mirror and be like, this is not what this, this is hurting me. This is not, this is not good for me. Right. And you have to just accept it and, and realize that you deserve better and you want better. If you want better, you're going to do whatever you got to do to be better. And if that starts with you, which most likely does, you have to just look in within and find out what is it that triggers you.

A lot of the thing, this book back here, I don't know if you see it. It's a journaling book. Like I journal a lot and I talk about all of my feelings. I talk about everything. You got to get it out. Like you got to get it out on a piece of paper. You got to get those feelings out because you leave them bottled up in your mind. And it just builds up more and more and more and more and more. So I definitely say to someone that's out there, you know, you may feel like this is it. You might even feel suicidal. You know what I'm saying?

You may not even feel like you want to be here. And I get it. Like, you are seen. I get it because I felt that way. And you just have to realize that you deserve so much more. You have to let go what's no longer serving you. You know what I'm saying? Anything that's no longer serving you, you have to let it go. Because once you let go what's no longer serving you, then the things that is going to serve you is going to start coming into your life. So that's something that

I definitely will love. I'm glad you asked that question because I'm so passionate about that. Right, right, definitely. And I think it's funny because I always remember seeing like your name with like mental health or how you were like working on mental health.

So it's like I always, when I think Manessa, I think of a person who is on the right journey, you know, because it seems like you're constantly working on making yourself better. I kind of want to bring up mental health now in the black community. And just your part on that, because I know that sometimes I know I grew up in a predominantly black area. And one thing I always heard, I grew up in Virginia and they always said therapy was for white people. You know, white people have therapy. Therapy is for white people, you know, but how do you feel about like that stigma? Like,

what would you say to people of color who don't believe mental health is an all thing? And I think that that starts with the generation before us and the parents and they were so used to back then they were so used to suppressing their feelings especially in the black community you know what stays and what happens in the family yeah we say that all the time up here it's like what happens in this house stays in this house because i grew up that's what my mom you say all the time too i didn't mean to cut you off sorry no you're good you're good. And so, yeah. So I think how I feel about it, I feel like that that's just a way to just keep yourself enslaved in your own trauma. You know what I'm saying? Like you're going to continue to feel these feelings. You don't know how to handle them.

So then the cycle goes on. So when you have kids, you're not going to know how to help them so then the the cycle goes on so when you have kids you're not gonna know how to help your kid if they're dealing with something definitely you know what i'm saying so it's like it starts with you to break it you know so i feel like if anybody and i think even like black men like they're so used to society makes it seem like that they can't show emotion you know i'm saying or the emotion they show is anger yeah or it's anger when it really is it's hurt you know so it's like and it sucks because that's how that's how this the society is towards black men like they they can't express themselves so a lot of men don't really talk about how they really feel but they really be dealing with stuff

too and a lot of them don't go to therapy. They feel like, oh, you don't need to be going home. Boys is telling them, oh, what you going to therapy for? Dogging them out about it. You know what I'm saying? Now you're a punk because you're dealing with your feelings. Yeah. And when it's really, it's them being a human being.

I think we have to get to a point where we have to face what it really is. You know what I'm saying? Stop trying to act like everything's all good and dandy when really you're losing your mind at 3 a.m. You know what I'm saying?

Which isn't a safe space to be in. Losing your mind at 3 a.m. is not safe at all. No. Losing your mind at 3 a.m. is not safe at all. No. I think we have a comment over there. Huh? I think we have a comment. So, I'm sorry.

Rebecca's over here looking at parts of the screen she's supposed to be looking at. I just think we have a comment from somebody on the screen. It's okay. We'll check it later. Okay. All right. I don't know if you know this. You are our first live interview.

Oh. This is the first time we're doing a live. Yeah. So it was something kind of cool. And with a new program, too. And then, yeah, we're trying a new program. We're actually growing as a podcast, which is really cool. And I think part of it is because, like you said, or like you were saying, and I kind of want to add on to what you were saying, mental health doesn't have to be therapists. It doesn't have to be medication. It doesn't have to be psychiatrist. It can be yoga. It can be working out. It can be going for writing journal. It can be the journal. Yeah. That you said that was really dope. Um, but it can be the journal. It can be anything mental

health, dealing with your mental health can be anything that makes you feel safe. Okay. And if you find something, it can be music, singing a song, it can be rapping, it could be dancing. When you are at peace in yourself and you have that moment, those are the times that you need to deal with your mental health. And I feel like sometimes it's hard because we live in such a chaotic world and it's so much negativity and it's so much anger and frustration and war amongst humans and we pick on skin and skin tone and hair color and height and weight and you know and it's like it's they do you do it with not you per se but people who do it is like, I can never, I don't understand how I could be angry that you have straight hair or that my hair is curly or that your skin, like I can't tan.

I'm Puerto Rican and I am a light bright. You hear me? I always tell people that I could have been in the Twilight movies and could have been Edward's cousin, his Puerto Rican cousin, because I'm a light bright, you know what I'm saying? But, and then I don't tan i'll burn you know it's like people but it's like even with that it's like i don't i don't understand the hate that people feel or can feel and i know this conversation is probably going different than mental health but i feel like it has a lot to do i feel like those things we just need to

let go like if you learn yourself and learn to find everything, I think that's what people talk about when they say that God concept, you know, it's like to know that this is my universe. This is what I control. This is what I need to keep at peace. As long as I am the best person I can be to everybody, I'm doing my due diligence and what I'm supposed to do. And I think that that's what my God will want. I'm saying my God, cause I'm still lost. I don't know who he is yet, but we're going to find him. He talks to him daily. I do talk to God daily. I'm such a contradiction, Vanessa. It's okay. I'm a contradiction. I don't know if you're a contradiction or if you're just trying to figure it out.

I am. I'm really trying to figure it out. That might be exactly what it is, trying to figure it out. And I think that you're so dope for doing it so young. I feel like you're a big inspiration to a lot of people. And, but I want you right now to go ahead and give your message to all little black girls of the world that don't have a support system, that feel hatred and don't like their hair and don't like their skin. And, you know, it won't be as bold as to wear red, you know, that you'd be rocking and your artists look, I love the artists look, but you know, it's like, what's your message now to people who want to be where you are mentally?

Oh, wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. I say, um, she was like, why do you keep putting me on the spot? Maybe not even just mentally. No, but yeah, just advice. Your advice to someone who is 10 years younger looking at your life and is saying, I'll never get there. Wow. I want them to realize that if that's the case, then you're looking at a reflection of what I used to think when I was younger. I used to think the same thing. Like, I'll never get there.

I'll never, I just don't know when it's going to happen. Like, man, like, I wish that I had that. Like, your journey is different. Your journey is different. Just because my journey went this way doesn't mean, like, your journey may not be the same way as mine's. But just know that the journey and what God has for you is going to take you exactly where you need to be. You just have to keep working hard. You have to keep believing in yourself. You got to keep believing yourself even when others don't believe in you, even when your family don't believe in

you, even your boyfriend, your girlfriend, whoever don't believe in you. They don't believe in your vision. You see the vision that God has given you. You go out there and get it. You go out there and you work towards it because when it pay off, it's going to be like, wow, it really happened. So right now you might feel hopeless and like it's never going to happen, that's because you may have people around that's doubting you. But just remember that you have a world of people that is waiting for your voice to be heard. And you may not see it now, but you will see it then when you keep going. So that's something that I definitely would love to say to those people out there. And now what do you say to people now who now they're like, okay, I'm trying, but all I keep getting is no.

So you keep getting your no, you keep getting your no. You're going to get so many more no's than you would get yes's. So just know that you are one no close to your yes, pretty much. Okay. You should put that on a t-shirt. I'm so close to your yes. I like it. Okay. You should put that on a t-shirt. Closer to your yes. I like it. Yeah, you should put that on a t-shirt.

Okay. You need to coin it real quick. Yeah. I like it. Say it again. You're one no close to your yes. That was, okay. You need to write a song about that.

Okay. I'm going to see if I can fit some lyrics in there. See, but now I'm actually going to give you some work, right? about that Okay, I'm gonna see if I can I can fit some lyrics in there See, but now I'm actually gonna give you some work, right? Oh boy I'm sorry But we have a blog on our website And I want you to write a blog for us Okay

Anything that you wanna write Anybody you wanna touch Anything you wanna talk about Just completely be Manessa And we're gonna take it And we're gonna put it on our website And it's gonna be our featured manessa blog um because it'll be our first blog by anybody other than ourselves ourselves and it will be our first blog so look it's another first

wow wow wow wow history yes look at you making first first. You know what I'm saying? I mean, we are number six in our mental health podcast. Honestly, that is amazing. Congratulations on that. Thank you. Thank you. Like, I've seen it. I've been watching the podcast, and it was one point in time y'all hit three. Yeah. Y'all hit

three. Like, you guys have been under 10 for a while now. Yeah. It's like mind blowing. He works hard on all of this. I do. I do work really.

He really does. I do work really. Because I believe, you know what? My journey might have been, I don't know. Maybe we went through the same thing. But I went through a point where I felt like my life was nothing. I feel like if I continue to walk down the path I was on, that it was going to be a, how they say, eat shit, live kind of life.

And I was going to do the same thing over and over again. You know, so I like packed up everything that can fit into my little Nissan Altima. I drove as far as I wanted to drive and I stopped and I said, I'm going to live here. Wow. That place was here. And my life went more downhill. I was by myself and I'm like, why would I leave all my friends? And I don't know nobody here. So now I went through depression and sadness. But in that, I started realizing that, you know, I didn't mind being alone. You

know, this is nice. Okay. Now I can get to know me. And I really took the time to get to know me. And in knowing me, I started to realize how damaged I was. You know, like I can't count on other people to fix me. I can't, you know, yeah, there's doctors, you know, for ailments, but there are not doctors for healing. Well, I guess there is God. Right. But you know, when you look outside of that and because you do have to do something for yourself, I feel like no matter what you believe, you still have to, you know, you can't just. Yeah. Faith without works is dead. Right. You can't just be like, it's not going to work. It's like, God, I need a boat, but I gave you the wood. So make the boat, you know? So that's basically what I did.

I like tore myself down and I feel like I might've did it a negative way because I didn't have any kind of like way to go. Like I didn't have no direction. You know, I just knew that who I was or I felt like who I was at the time didn't deserve to live, you know? And it wasn't that I was suicidal. It was just that I felt like who I was at the time didn't deserve to live, you know? And it wasn't that I was suicidal. It was just that I felt like it was a wasted life. Like there was a difference. I felt like my life was wasted, you know? And it had a lot to do with me being hurt so much in my life and going through so much drama. And I started to learn from that. You know, I started to like visit those moments and go into

the closets that I didn't want to look in before and unpack this box and look at these pictures. And I realized that that's really all people have to do is take time to really get to know themselves. And that's what this platform is about, is about there's a method for everybody. You know, it doesn't have to be journaling, you know, but it can be tennis ball. No, because you can hit the ball as hard as you want to. You know, but it's like there's a method for everybody. And I want people to know that you can feel safe

and find your method anywhere that you are. Yeah. Whatever present situation you are, you can be safe with yourself, you know? And it's hard and it's not as easy as it make it seem because people, I do get comments that people be like, you make it seem like it's so easy. You know, you probably on pills. And I'm like, no, but at one time I was, you know, but I told it, we wanted it to be something that anybody can come. People like you can come up here and say, hey, I went through this dark spot in my life.

This is what I did to help myself get out. And now someone can hear it and say, hmm, maybe I can do the same thing. But is Vanessa's method going to work for everybody? No. Is Micah's method going to work for everybody? No. So that's why we want to open this up

to as many people will come on and tell their stories about how they're getting a healing because somebody needs to hear it. Yep. And I'm sorry, I kind of went too long into that because it's like, we need to talk about you.

What's going on with you? What's going on? What's next for Manessa? So we write your music. Yes. I am working on music, music, music,

writing all the time right now. I am working with some producers. I'm getting advice from mentors and really just wanted to create a body of work that's going to be for believers and unbelievers.

Okay. Are you still talking with Chance? Oh, yes. I am, yes. Most definitely. Tell him we say hey. I am, yes. Most definitely. Tell them we say hey. I will. When you see Blake again, tell him I said hi. I don't know why, though. I like Blake Shelton, too, and I always like him

because he surprises me sometimes. I don't remember the season he was with Jade. Do you remember the singer Jade? She had the big fro and she was on Team Blake. Okay, look up Jade. Next time you're online, you can dance. She was on Team Blake.

They were the biggest contradiction of two people working together. But it was so magical. It's pretty dope. As you can tell, I'm a voice. I used to be a voice fanatic, but I'm old school like Shakira when Shakira was up there and Christina. Oh, yeah, sure. Yeah. She's like, oh, back then when I was like six.

And I was wishing that I could be on the show. Right. And then you got on it and you accomplished a lot. We're very proud of you. I know. I love to see everything that you're doing. I follow you on TikTok. We're going to list all your contact information. I just like listening to you sing.

So I just get like, yeah, you can post as many of them videos as you want to. I'm going to buy the album. Oh my gosh, thank you so much. We're going to promote. Maybe you can come back when you finish the album. And I will, period.

I really enjoyed myself today. This was a great Maybe you could come back when you finish the album. And I will, period. That part. I really enjoyed myself today. This was a great, great, great, great podcast. And I love what you guys are doing. Keep going. Yeah, definitely. We don't plan on stopping. You keep going, too.

Yes, you keep going. I mean, continue to let us know what's going on with you. We will continue sharing share with our followers. It was really important for me to get you on because you're young, you're beautiful. Thank you. You stand in your presence. Rebecca said it, you're a queen. And I said, there's so many, there's so much depiction of things that aren't that, you know, at least that people can look at Manessa and see positivity and see that I can be on team chance too. I can be a first, you know, and your life toward that. You're a definite positive example for a lot of young women out there. Right. And, you know, we haven't really had young representation up here.

So, you know, I had a fight for you. Oh, wow. I appreciate this so much. Yes. Get you up here. I have all your hearts, so you're going to get one of mine.

Any last minute words? Any last minute things you want us to know? I'm going to bother you until I get that blog, though. I ain't going to bother you often, but I'll take it. We want to take it to your very first concert, by. Wang will bother you often, but I'll take it. We want tickets to your very

first concert, by the way. Send me the link. Send me the link. And yes, I'll do it. I'm not just saying, I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. I think that'll be really dope, just a message from you to your fans. And it'll be personal and intimate. I do a lot of blog writing. I write about everything.

I wrote about Tina Turner's song the other day. You hear me? I was listening to Tina Turner, and I was like, this song is deep. Well, Vanessa, we love you. We thank you for coming on. We thank you for being our first live guest. Yeah. This is going to air after people see this. So if y'all missed this live, it's okay because you're still watching us now. So... But check out Vanessa. You can follow her on TikTok, Instagram, anywhere else that you promote that people...

And YouTube, YouTube, YouTube, YouTube. I am working on my YouTube right now. So please follow me on there as well. I got content. I post covers all the time. So you definitely will be there. When are we going to get the website?

What do you mean? You got a website yet? I do, but it's still in the works. So it's coming. Everything's coming. But I just am such a perfectionist, and it just has to be perfect. And it's kind of like you said. It's when the time, look, you're on your journey and you're clearly on your path.

And we're not going to rush you. We're just going to be here with you along the way, raising you up, praising wonderful things in your life. I appreciate that so much. Being at the Grammys with you in two years. Be like, uh-uh, Alicia Keys, I'm with Manessa. We're definitely going to be at the Grammys. Right. That's what I'm saying.

We got this recorded now. Watch what's going to happen. It's going to happen. People are going to see. From our lips to God's ears. They're going to see God's love through you and everything that you gave us today. We thank you again.

It was a pleasure and we'll be in contact. Thank you guys for watching and we'll see you next week.