Today we’d like to introduce you to Tea Noel
Hi Tea, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always been drawn to entertainment — specifically music. That developed into dance, which transformed into show choir and musical theater. After graduating high school, I took a gap year and went to college the following year. It would be that year where I had my first performance since my junior year of high school, which reminded me of how much I loved performing and especially music. My time in college was turbulent due to an on-going toxic and abusive relationship. Because of this, I felt pressured to let go of my dreams and passions for someone else’s solace and comfortability. I quickly isolated myself with this person and fell further into the toxicity, especially during COVID times. But it was during COVID that I started to remember the things I enjoyed doing. I wanted to plant the seeds for my future passions to bloom. I began my career in modeling, which I quickly saw as a way to network more into the entertainment industry. While productive for myself, it was difficult to pursue due to the same relationship. I stopped taking care of my body and my mind trying to balance the effects of my relationship with a social battery and working as a model, along with my regular 9-5. Time went by and I finally mustered up the confidence to leave in 2023. I moved in with one of my (now) closest friends and started to learn more about myself. Through the heartbreak and conflicting feelings of being on my own for the first time in six years, I began to write music again. I even started to make new friends and reconnect with old friends from my first year in college, including the woman who would become my best friend, Kyra. I also ended up meeting someone who has encouraged me to share my own music with the world, guides me in areas of life, love, and passion, and loves me as I am. Ultimately, he is what pushed me to release my first EP, “For Me,” last July, which is comprised of music I wrote during my healing phases in my previous relationship and into today. The amount of love and support that I’ve gotten through my journey of getting here has been incredible, and I am so grateful for everyone who has been with me on my journey, and continue to support me today. Recently, Kyra passed away. And although a terrible and incredibly hard loss, I try to pursue the things she always gave me confidence to. Today, I am working on new music, pursuing more acting opportunities, and cherishing moments with my loved ones and friends. I wouldn’t be who I am if it weren’t for the journey I’ve been on.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely been bumpy! As I mentioned, a lot of the core of my struggles came from my already low self-worth and the toxic and abusive relationship I was in for six years. I struggled to see if I was good enough to do anything I wanted to do, as a reflection of what I was being told or how I was being treated. If I felt good about myself, it was met with negativity – verbal and sometimes physical abuse that brought me right back to questioning myself. Being depressed and anxious clouded my mind and it became hard to even write out my feelings without being judged. Then there was a financial struggle. Because of the nomadic nature of my relationship, it was difficult to keep a job, let alone a high enough paying one for living in California. Moving around also made it difficult to get to modeling jobs, especially because there were several periods of time where I’d have to travel up to three hours to get to LA for certain bookings (depending on where we were living at the time). And I didn’t realize it until I was finally out of that relationship, but the impact of not having friends was also a challenge. The isolation gave me social anxiety, which I still struggle with today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m most known through my modeling, though I’m also a singer/songwriter and actress. Recently, I’ve been focusing more on acting, along with creating music and sharing it. I released my first EP album, “For Me,” on my birthday last year, and it’s a project I’m proud to have put out there on my own, during an incredible journey of healing. My hope is that by sharing my thoughts and feelings through my music, it will resonate with people in their own ways and people won’t feel alone in their endeavors. I think my strong ability to listen to others, be it strangers or loved ones, sets me apart in what I create as I love being able to find common ground that connects all of us.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a shy kid. My Lola used to play piano to practice singing for the church choir and I always loved listening and learning. She would teach me the basics of playing piano and I later began making up my own compositions and songwriting. As a kid, I did gymnastics and my coaches made it a requirement to take a dance class. Eventually, I found more of a connection and love for dance, so I quit gymnastics and began to take dance lessons only. When I began to explore my love for singing, dancing, and performing, I had sparked something in myself. I grew to be more outgoing and social, and was surrounded by all sorts of artists. I took several dance classes regularly, joined a show choir in and outside of school, and did community musical theater. Unfortunately, I began to do poorly in school, so I was taken out of my extracurriculars. This had a huge impact on my physical and mental health, and my self worth, especially in high school.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teaakat
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@teaakat
Image Credits
UnreleasedHQ, Abby Ramirez Alcala, Jerms Abad
