Interview with Jessica Sutta

“Dance, dance, dance – move your body to the beat;” could be the mantra for Jessica Sutta’s life. A native Floridian, Sutta began her career in the creative industries when she was enrolled in dance classes at the tender age of three. She would go on to study at the Miami City Ballet and the New World School of the Arts for dance and theatre. Dance was a calling to Sutta, and it was one she did not take lightly, pursuing each and every opportunity that was placed before her.The young starlet would later become captain of the NBA’s Miami Heat cheerleading team, which foreshadowed her future stardom. Sutta, better known as J Sutta, became a rare quadruple threat as a dancer, singer, songwriter, and actress. Once a member of American Pop girl group the Pussycat Dolls, Sutta decided to choose an alternative route, embarking on her solo career in 2010. The songstress’s debut single “Show Me” left music critics and enthusiast in awe, landing her the number one spot on the Billboard’s Hot Dance Charts in the United States. Not one to sit on her success, Sutta continued her momentum when she released two singles off her debut album Say Yes, including “Feline Resurrection”, and the epic twist to Sophie B. Hawkins 90s hit ‘Damn (I Wish I Was Your Lover)’. Say Yes was released earlier this year and received input from a few heavy hitters within the industry; Pitbull, Meek Mill, and Rico Love, just to name a few. Her latest single, “Forever” has broken the music charts, receiving countless rave reviews both internationally and nationally, from The Sun (U.K) to Yahoo! Music, and everyone in between. To place the icing on the cake, the song’s music video received 1.17 million views on VEVO’s homepage in the first two weeks of its release, bolting through major market ‘Top 40’ charts and radio. J Sutta leaves her heart on the stage. Through each and every lyric, she leaves her mark on the Pop/EDM world as the artist to watch.RAINE: Talk about how the internet has changed your industry for new artists?SUTTA: It hasn’t just changed the industry...it revolutionized it and if you weren’t willing to adapt, it unforgivingly dropped you on your head! There are so many pros and cons that I could write an essay about it but ultimately one of the great things about this revolution and evolution is the connection between artist and fan is stronger than ever.RAINE: How does being an independent artist allow you to have more creative freedom?SUTTA: You don’t have to answer to anyone really. You get to make your own choices and stand by them. I feel that you never have to compromise your own artistic expression or integrity for the sake of strategy. Being Indie and having a Major Label budget.....that would afford any artist all the freedoms they want... so that’s the goal!RAINE: Are there any plans to partner with a major label in the future? If so, who is on your HOT list?SUTTA: After the release of “Forever” there were a couple of offers but having been on two major labels previously I am very cautious and want to make sure it is 100% the right situation for me. I’m definitely open for the potential of partnering up with a label that would truly support my artistry and vision.RAINE: You have taken on a more shocking persona as a solo artist. How did you make the choice to break the mold?SUTTA; Well I don’t ever plan to shock just for the sake of shocking. The industry is funny like that. People want you to be very one dimensional so it is easy to grasp an understanding of who you are but it is really more about who they want you to be. The reality is that no one is one dimensional. We all have various facets and sides to ourselves. I make it a point not to contain any part of myself for anyone’s neat little understanding. I want to express all sides of the things that make me.. me. I would rather confuse a few people who may choose not to want to explore different sides of me than limit myself in my artistry. My true fansunderstand that.RAINE: We love your twist on Sophie B. Hawkins’ hit Damn (I Wish I Was Your Lover). What lead you to remake this particular song?SUTTA: I loved it since the first time I heard it. It was once of those relatable songs that really connected to me and I always wanted to do my own version of it. It meant a lot to me when Sophie B Hawkins reached out to me on Twitter and gave her nod of approval for my version.RAINE: We love your transformation in your music video, Forever. What was your inspiration for the look and is it hard to maintain?SUTTA: The Forever video was super fun to shoot. It was all about journeying into your own open mind which is really the best place to find any answers! I love anything related to fairies, pixies and magical beings! The make up and prosthetics took a while but Adolfo Berretta and his team are so awesome and fun to work with and they really brought out the lil pixie in me.RAINE: Who have been some of your fashion role models that have inspired your edgier look?SUTTA: Sometimes when you try certain clothes on it fits into your mood and creates it’s own narrative and connects with your expression at the time. Mood and feeling are my biggest inspirations. As far as fashion role models go SJP immediately comes to mind and Kylie Jenner always looks flawless. From her make up to her nails and fashion choices. Her Instagram is myguilty pleasure.RAINE: NYFW is coming up. What are some of your favorite trends for the fall season?SUTTA: I’m a huge fan of velvet. The feel of velvet always makes me feel beautiful. Also, I love that statement chokers are coming in. Chokers always make me feel regal.RAINE: What’s been a funny moment on-set while filming for one of your videos?SUTTA: Drinking from the giant bowl of milk in the Feline Resurrection video was pretty funny. I kept cracking up and having to do new takes! Also when my co-star Jenae Alt kicked me in the stomach, i told her to really kick me so it looks real and it hurt and winded me like crazy! Still, we laughed about it a lot though it doesn’t seem all that funny saying it out loud now! lol.RAINE: What three things do you want your fans to know about you?SUTTA: 1- On days that I feel like that the industry is cruel and my dreams seem like they are drifting...it is my fans who bring me back to my core strength and center where I am determined and will never give up. When I say that I love them...I love them.2- I cry when watching almost any touching Facebook video3- I wake up every morning listening to a medley of classical music.