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When Messina stepped into the studio to record “City Rose,” she wasn’t just making an album. This Army veteran turned pop artist had crawled out of the trenches of her first queer relationship, battered, bruised, but unbroken.
“I was toxic,” Messina admits, her voice carrying the weight of hard-earned wisdom. “For years, I clung to this fantasy of proving to my ex how much I’d grown. But I was stuck in old patterns, relapsing into behaviors I thought I’d left behind.”
“City Rose” isn’t just Messina’s debut country album. It’s a raw, unfiltered look into the heart of someone who’s hit rock bottom and clawed their way back up. Each track is a battle cry for anyone who’s ever felt unworthy of love, a sentiment Messina knows all too well.
“I didn’t believe I deserved love, happiness, or even life itself,” she reveals, recounting her darkest days. It’s a startling admission from someone whose music now serves as a beacon of hope for so many. But that’s the power of Messina’s journey – it reminds us that even in our ugliest moments, redemption is possible.
Her fans, the self-proclaimed “Messina Mafia,” aren’t just drawn to her music. They’re inspired by her Sicilian grit, her entrepreneurial spirit, and her unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy. As co-founder of “LGBT VSAP” (Veterans Suicide Awareness Program), Messina is fighting a war on two fronts – against the stigma of mental health issues and for the recognition of LGBTQ veterans.
“Healing is power,” Messina states, her words carrying the weight of someone who’s been through the wringer and comes out singing. “Accept that you need help.” It’s a message that resonates deeply with her audience, particularly within the LGBTQ community and among veterans struggling with mental health issues.
But Messina’s not content with just telling her story. She’s creating spaces for others to tell theirs. Her recent “PLAYTOY” shook up the lesbian music scene in West Hollywood last August 2. It wasn’t just a performance – it was a statement, a challenge to an industry that often overlooks LGBTQ voices. The screening of “PLAYTOY,” presented by American Nu Networks and directed by Damon Dash with writer Raquel M. Horn, marked a significant moment in empowering queer representation in the music industry.
This event showcased Messina’s commitment to pushing boundaries and creating platforms for LGBTQ artists. It’s this kind of bold, unapologetic expression that continues to define Messina’s career and inspire her “Messina Mafia” fanbase. As she moves forward, each project becomes not just a musical endeavor, but a step towards greater visibility and acceptance for the LGBTQ community in the music world.
Next time you’re wallowing in post-breakup feels, skip the ice cream and hit play on “City Rose” instead. It’s cheaper than therapy and twice as cathartic.
Bonus: Every stream helps support LGBTQ veterans’ mental health initiatives. So go ahead, put Messina on repeat. It’s self-care and social good rolled into one catchy package. And if you need a reminder, you can find Messina @jennifercmessina on all social media platforms, ready to turn your pain into poetry and your struggles into songs.
About “Messina”
Pop artist Messina (Jennifer Caroline Messina) is an artist whose music centers on mental health, drawing from her personal experiences. Known for her “raw and authentic” sound, her fans, the “Messina Mafia,” are inspired by her Sicilian heritage and entrepreneurial spirit.
Her debut country album, *City Rose*, delves into the heartbreak of her last relationship, with the single “No Longer Wasted” quickly gaining traction on Spotify.
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This content is brought to you by Shahbaz Ahmed
Photo provided by the author.
