Today we’d like to introduce you to Malynda Hale.
Malynda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Santa Barbara singing in church. I knew at the age of 5 that I wanted to be a singer when I heard Whitney Houston sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. From then, I went on to do a lot of musical theatre throughout grade school and high school, and then got my college degree in vocal performance with an emphasis in opera. After college there was never a question of what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go. So, I put a band together, started doing local club gigs around Los Angeles, and released two records. Then in 2009 I moved to New York.
Two months after I moved, I got my Actors’ Equity card and did my first regional theatre show. I loved theatre, but I knew my passion and career path would always be music. So, while I was in New York, I wrote and released an album titled The Train Ride Home. Then I moved to Chicago to be with my husband while he attended law school. Chicago was such a different and new experience for me because I moved there not knowing anything about the city and without knowing anyone there, so I was forced to evolve and push myself to learn my surroundings and get to know people in my industry. After being in Chicago and New York, my husband and I moved back to Los Angeles. Because I had been gone for so long I was honestly scared, but once I got here I knew exactly what I wanted to do and how I was going to do it, and I wasn’t going to let anything get in my way.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing is ever easy, especially while pursuing your dreams. It’s been a bumpy road. I’ve gone through image changes, genre changes, bad managers, close calls with big breaks and much more. You name it—it’s probably happened to me. I’ve been very lucky, but it’s definitely been a journey. I’d say for women who are on their career path and even just starting their journey, figure out who you are first. If you don’t have confidence in who you are and believe in who you are, it’s going to be hard for anyone else to.
Tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as an artist and what sets you apart from others.
I am a singer, through and through. That is how I define myself and that is what I’ve been my whole life. Music is my chosen medium because I feel like it’s the best way for me to express myself and my heart. I think what sets me apart is the fact that I’m using my music to spark conversation, to inspire people, make them think and make them want to be the best version of themselves. I know how music has always made me feel throughout my life and I simply want to be able to invoke that feeling in other people as well.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I think when you are a female in a position of leadership it’s easy for people to misconstrue who you are. They automatically think you are bossy or intimidating, but I view it more as someone who knows what she wants and knows how she is going to get it. I think a confident woman can often scare people, but in reality, she should inspire people. Women are fearless and they are warriors. Women face so much adversity just trying to get from one point to the next, but when you are in a position of leadership you overcome that adversity no matter what. I’ve learned that being a woman in a position of leadership, more specifically being a black woman in a position of leadership, I have to demand respect when men often get it no matter what. I think I’ve learned over time that people who aren’t willing to give you respect simply because you’re a woman don’t deserve your time and attention in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malyndahale/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malyndahale
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MalyndaHale
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/malyndahale https://open.spotify.com/album/1BNztgK8E2aEiu71iPl6MW
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-one-ep/1386398323
https://soundcloud.com/malyndahale
Image Credit:
Brie Childers
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