By Valerie Milano
Photos By THT
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 7/28/25 – On a memorable evening at the GRAMMY Museum’s Clive Davis Theater, Jessie Reyez held a sold-out audience in rapt attention with a stripped-down set that reminded everyone why she’s one of the most emotionally resonant voices in music today. Her voice—equal parts gritty and angelic—filled the intimate space, each note as raw and vulnerable as the stories behind it.
Following the performance, Reyez sat down for a conversation with GRAMMY Award-winning artist Victoria Monét. What unfolded was more than a typical artist Q&A—it was an honest, sometimes philosophical, dive into the mind of an artist who refuses to compromise authenticity for comfort.
Monét opened with praise for Reyez’s new album, In Memory, calling the title “fire”—a sentiment the audience clearly agreed with. Reyez smiled in return. “Thank you,” she said, before adding reflectively, “I wish we could really be in memory. I feel like you are—I feel like we are.”
When asked about the emotional spirit of the project, Reyez revealed that she doesn’t approach her music with a tight concept in mind. “I don’t love concept albums because I feel very free by nature,” she said. “I like making until the art starts coagulating, and then it tells me what it wants to be.”
That organic process led her to a theme of growth, resilience, and reflection—qualities deeply embedded in the DNA of the album. “It’s growth and consistency,” she explained. “My work always reflects where I’m at in life, and luckily it’s been a journey of maturity.”
One of the standout choices in the album is the recurring motif of the color yellow. Reyez explained its layered meaning: “It symbolizes happiness but also fear. That duality is beautiful—it keeps you learning. I approach the stage the same way I approach the edge of a cliff: I say, ‘Go,’ even if I’m scared.”
That same duality came through in her live set earlier in the evening—moments of emotional darkness balanced with glimmers of hard-won joy, underscoring Reyez’s ability to stand in the truth of both.
Reyez also opened up about her pre-show rituals and the importance of grounding. “I chug water—even Coke if I need caffeine,” she said. “I clean my space, get centered, then we huddle for a blessing from my mom and crew. That adrenaline rush on stage is pure magic: you’re so in the now, there’s nothing else.”
Her discipline is evident not only in her performances but in her writing—whether it’s music or prose. Reyez, who authored the best-selling poetry book Words of a Goat Princess, shared her perspective on creative freedom: “Music has structure—geography of sound, harmonies, tensions—yet it feels freer because you find solutions when things aren’t perfect. Writing prose is like giving a word a third wing: it’s a different kind of freedom.”
Reyez also reflected on the modern artist’s balancing act—being a musician, brand, and public figure all at once. “Michael Jackson once said he’d go off the grid to make an album—no phones,” she said. “Now we’re our own marketers. It’s a lot, but the positive is we can use our platforms for change.”
This capacity for transformation and impact was evident in every answer. Whether discussing her collaborations with Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, or Eminem, or reflecting on her roots, Reyez displayed a rare combination of grit and grace.
Throughout the conversation, Monét pulled back the curtain on Reyez’s inner world. A recurring theme? Gratitude.
“I write about gratitude, joy, and solutions,” Reyez said of her journaling practice. “I try to see solutions rather than problems. I’m learning to let my heart be fearless—I know I won’t betray myself, so I trust I’ll catch myself if I fall.”
When asked what themes someone might find if they opened her journal today, she paused and said, “Huge gratitude, joy, solutions, and fearless love. I’m proud to be close to peace—I used to feel on the edge of a cliff, but now I know I’ll be caught if I fall.”
In one of the conversation’s more tender moments, Monét asked Reyez if she believes in soulmates. “I hope there are many,” Reyez answered. “I’ve found musical soulmates—people whose presence feeds me and feels like home.”
And what is she learning to forgive herself for? “Being human,” she said simply. “I held myself to high ideals and got angry when others didn’t match them. I’ve learned to forgive both myself and others—everyone falters, and that teaches compassion.”
A fan-submitted a question asking how it feels to travel the world with her parents—an emotional topic for Reyez. “Great—like I’m paying back a fraction of the love they gave me,” she said. “It’s a dream to share these moments with them.”
With over 3 billion global streams, a poetry book, and a world tour in motion, Jessie Reyez stands at a rare intersection of commercial success and uncompromising honesty. The night at the GRAMMY Museum wasn’t just a showcase of music—it was a meditation on vulnerability, strength, and the courage it takes to be fully present.
As Monét wrapped the evening, she offered words of admiration: “That’s inspiring. Thank you so much for this conversation, Jessie.”
Reyez, ever grounded, replied simply: “Thank you.”
