Today we’d like to introduce you to BreAnna Smith
Hi BreAnna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I remember being called ‘anointed’ and ‘gifted’ at a very young age. These concepts were difficult to grasp back then. Yet, despite my naivety, I effortlessly excelled in the arts and academics. My mother, Brenda Gail Howard, would say, “Your gifts will make room for you,” and they did. Growing up the youngest of eight children in Macon, GA, we weren’t a wealthy family by monetary means, but my mother’s persistent nature and my God given talent afforded me every opportunity imaginable. I
participated in writing competitions, school pageants, dance classes, acting internships, piano lessons, horseback riding camps, and more. There was nothing I couldn’t do.
Particularly impactful was singing in the church choir. I had such a love and hate relationship with music. Whether I felt like it or not, I had to sing. Being in front of people was easy, except for the times I felt completely exposed. One time, in the middle of a rehearsal, I ran out in tears when it was time to do my verse.
I sang in the choir the next Sunday.
I couldn’t put it down. I used to blame my mother’s persistent nature—more demanding, really. But I knew there was something deeper. Music had gotten its hooks into me.
I ran from it every chance I got and fell in love with acting. I am still, a brilliant actress, but I used the theatre as an escape from the real drug. Music. The door to that escape led me to attend college in Hollywood at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. It is notable to mention that I was also accepted to the Tisch School of the Arts. I chose California over the better judgement of my high school theatre teacher. I can laugh at this now, but I used to hate that he was right.
It was too easy to get caught up in the wrong thing in college. My goals changed the minute I got a piece of the other world: Glamour, partying, and excess. I wanted it all. At the same time, music was a looming presence. I felt that if I didn’t pursue it, I’d live to regret it, so I moved back to Georgia in search of a music producer that could help me with my new career.
A few months after I returned, my mother passed away. I’ll spare you the details now and write a book about it later, but my life was ruined. As if by design, I turned to music as the outlet for my grief. The journey turned a page with my first release on SoundCloud. The song caught wind locally and after that I was hooked again. Now, I’m gearing up for my second EP release on streaming platforms.
My identity has changed over the years. I have maturity and growth to thank for that. But my love for music grows stronger by the day. Glamour, romance, tragedy—I use my music to create and express these different worlds as they reflect my own. And my gifts are still making room for me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
After my mother passed, my support system was gone. I’ve spent years navigating periods of intense grief and passionate artistic endeavors. All in attempt to regain a sense of normalcy in my life and in my perspective. I suffered physically and mentally through those transitions, but was simultaneously molded and cut into the diamond of a person I am today. My own life has served as my artist development.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional singer/songwriter, actress, dancer and model currently living in California. I moved here in December to gain traction in my music career. In gearing up for the release of my new EP, Fever, I’ve been performing multiple shows a month, creating media content and building a team of dedicated professionals to help execute the vision. I’m also actively seeking sponsorship and/or investment in the project’s marketing rollout.
I specialize in R&B music, specifically romantic ballads with elements of jazz and bossa nova. If you can imagine diamond chandeliers and red velvet furniture inside of a Spanish villa during summer——that is what my music feels and sounds like.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Earlier in this interview I mentioned leaving acting school to find a music producer to help me with my music. I met David Jonathan Brown shortly after moving back to Georgia. I became enamored by his musical genius and the fact we spoke the same music language. He also proved to be a comforting force during a few poignant times in my life. Today, he is my day to day manager, music director, and very cherished friend. Together, we will make waves in this industry.
Always and in every way my career is dedicated to my heart and soul, my mother, whose persistence brought me here and now runs through my veins. She is the epitome of everything fabulous about life, and my love and fondness for her fuels my every turn.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bre.irl?igsh=dHA4Mm1pZ2x3MXZo&utm_source=qr
- Twitter: https://x.com/bre_irl?s=21
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@breannairl?si=5Ga2XvkftkXAEJ2T
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2cX5IwpUpLA6M9UNRpx6YH?si=PIGT5YYSQW-tlmZ6hJWS4Q
Image Credits
Ariona Guerra & Daniel Antonio
