Today we’d like to introduce you to Hailey Gabhart.
Hi Hailey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am currently writing this from my New York City apartment, reminiscing on the young San Diego girl who promised everyone she would make it here one day. I didn’t know how but I just knew in my heart that I would make it. My mom says I used to sing more than I would talk. I was never good at sports, partially because I had two left feet and the other part due to the fact that nothing felt as good as the way music made me feel. I remember belting Adele in my bedroom, but only before 7pm because I had a singing bedtime. I kept a journal where I would write all about my life, but would tear out the pages because I didn’t want anyone to know what went on in my 9 year old brain. I didn’t play with toys much, but I did imagine my life as a singer and always pretended I had a camera crew following me around. I knew I was special and there was nobody that could tell me otherwise. I started doing musicals and talent shows in elementary school, and when asked what I wanted to be when I was older, I responded with “I want to be a singer in New York City.” Once I started middle school, my parents began their divorce and as their love faded, so did my love for singing. This was a hard time for me. While still blessed to have a roof over my head, food to eat and parents that loved me, it still felt like my whole life was falling apart. My once “perfect” family was destroyed and so was my self worth. My mom struggled mentally in these following years and because I always wanted to be like her, I struggled as well. My battle with depression and anxiety started at around twelve years old. By the time I turned 13, I hadn’t sung a single lyric. I felt like life was happening to me and not for me and I became a victim instead of the hero of my story. My relationship with my mother improved again as she healed, but the relationship with myself remained broken. I had my first boyfriend at 14, and that began my journey of loving others to fill the void of not loving myself. My parents were strict, but I found ways around the rules. 14 was a pivotal year for me, I lost my innocence and optimism I once had. My grades began to plummet as I moved from one relationship to the next, focusing solely on boys and escaping from my pain. I dropped out of Torrey Pines High School and my grandparents homeschooled me in Julian for a year. I started to do better and ended the year with straight A’s before attending my junior year at Sunset High School. I finished 19 credits and graduated at 16. By the time I was 17, I had obtained my Esthetician license and began working full time. At this point, music was a distant memory and work and friends were my main focus. I started my own business, but I also partied a lot and made poor choices. Shortly after my 19th birthday, I experienced something that forced me to change my life around. I remember sitting in my parked car at Del Mar Beach begging God to change me. And He did. I was kicked out of my parents house and forced to deal with all of the insecurities and issues I put to the side for so long. I devoted my life to healing and finding myself again. I now always say sometimes the worst things that ever happen to us are actually the best things that have happened for us in disguise. Fast forward a couple years, before I turned 21 an old friend of mine heard me sing…. and now here I am. I am the singer in New York City that I always wanted to be.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think I probably got too ahead of myself in the last question and shared about how rocky this road has been, but no definitely not a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change anything for the world. I am beyond grateful for the experienced that shaped me and without the person I used to be, the person I am today wouldn’t exist and I love the person I am today so much. I now go by my artist name, Hailey Heart. The idea started from a friend as a play on my name, Hailey Gabhart, but it means so much more than that. Through every poor decision I have made in life, I have always had a good heart and no one can ever take that from me. I was able to heal my own heart and I want my music to be able to speak to yours.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am currently attending Roc Nation School of Music in Brooklyn, NY. I am a vocal performance major and singer/songwriter. My music is mostly about heartbreak and healing. I’m known as Hailey Heart and whenever I am on stage, I feel like I am invincible. The little girl in me is so proud of who I am today, but the journey has only begun. I plan to inspire others and continue to better myself each and every day. My music is truly a reflection of my heart and I am grateful I was given this gift to share with the world.
What matters most to you?
Family, faith and friendship are the top priorities in my life. Without my family, I am nothing. I was blessed to have amazing parents and grandparents to look up to, all with inspiring stories of their own. I want to be able to give back to them everything they have given to me and more. And just like singing was a major goal of mine that I may have forgotten for a while, more than anything I want to have a family of my own one day. My relationship with God is the reason I am where I am today and I only hope to grow deeper in my love for Him. I hold my Faith very closely to my heart and feel so blessed to know a God who has given me the guidance and grace to live a life worth living. Lastly, friendship is important to me. I want to be a friend in everyone and an example. I am not sure if my singing will turn into a full-blown career or if just finding my voice again is enough, but I don’t ever want to have fans, only people I call friends experiencing this journey with me.
Contact Info:
- Email: Haileygabhart@icloud.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/haileyheart333
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hailey.gab
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/haileyheart333
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr4LfOxz7YU
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/haileyheart/secrets-ft-mtstreets?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/4XvMXrCFNEYcRdatO6Mk1x
