Today we’d like to introduce you to Kitty Noir.
Kitty, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My background with music started at a young age, taking singing lessons when I was 11 years old. I knew I always wanted to be a singer but didn’t have any direction. I grew up playing the flute in the school band. Music was always a part of my life, whether I liked it or not. As a teenager, I began to suffer from mental health issues (later to be diagnosed as Bipolar 2 and ADHD) and physical health issues (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), and certain genres of music got me through those tough times. Resilience has been a huge part of my life and music career. I was born in Guangzhou, China, and left in a park. I’m very grateful that I made it to an orphanage. I was adopted by an American family. Growing up was no easy feat. I went to an all-white private catholic school and faced a lot of bullying and harassment from other kids. I never cried or got upset about it. I owned it. I put a target on my back and loved the attention. I craved it. I never got stage fright when performing. I always use the negative to create something positive. This was just the start of my bad behavior. As an adult, I spent all my COVID-19 income on a Rolex and a yearlong bender, almost ended up going homeless afterwards, drinking myself to death, using drugs, the list keeps getting darker. Hence, that is why I wrote my second album, “Metaphorical Arsonist.” I’m one year sober today and working a 12-step program. I try to be a role model for the people that I mentor and a living example that you can change. It just takes courage. I know what it’s like to be truly at the bottom, and I know what it’s like to have everything. I don’t have much at the moment, as I’m currently in college, but I’m happy where I am today. My faith in God is what keeps me going. Hopefully, this music takes off, for it is my true passion. I’m a storyteller.
Looking back, what would you say were the biggest challenges?
I’m gonna be real here. It’s been a bumpy ride. My mental health has been the biggest challenge along the way. I’m constantly feeling not good enough, too good, dealing with mood fluctuations, etc. With Bipolar 2 I can be feeling on top of the world, the next minute I can find myself spending all my money or ruining a friendship because one tiny thing went wrong. Luckily, I was able to start medication, which stabilized my condition. My best advice to someone mentally struggling is to trust your doctors. Keep trying until you find a solution. And never give up. Another challenge is the LA music scene. It’s hard to find people that truly want to see you shine. I’ve fired managers who wanted me to be someone that I’m not. At the end of the day, you have to be there for yourself. I want to truly thank the friends that have truly helped me along the way though. Thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart. Most importantly, I want to thank my fans. Music has made me feel like I have a purpose. Without you guys, none of this would be possible.
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’m a musician. I guess I don’t really have a specialty, I have some mainstream stuff, but music is kind of like my journal. It’s an outlet for my feelings. I’m known for my song “Never Go Back,” which went viral on TikTok during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Thousands of other healthcare workers liked, commented, and reached out, saying things like, “I left working in a level 1 ICU because of COVID, and this song hit home.” Watching other healthcare workers create their own videos and uploading them to my song really meant the world. I found my purpose. I started making more music for healthcare workers, hoping people would be able to relate to my problems working in the industry. And it worked! I guess you can call me “The Healthcare Rapper.” I’ve written songs about some of the sad and horrible things I’ve seen (while still being HIPAA compliant, of course). Soon, other healthcare workers started commenting with similar stories. I felt less alone!
Any big plans?
My plans or goals for the future are huge. Someday, I want to win a Grammy. I want platinum plaques with my name on them. I want to show the people that ever doubted me that I CAN do it! But most importantly, I want to show the underdogs, the bullied kids, the lost, the lonely, the chronically ill, the mentally ill that your dreams are possible! I want to be an advocate, that you have a voice, and someone hears you. Someone knows what the pain is like. Someone knows the struggle. When I get to the top, I want to give back. I want to visit kids in the hospital and put big smiles on their faces. I want to be an advocate for mental health. I want to show people that Kitty Noir cares.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/kittynoirmusic?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=a0e88b47-c292-478f-9195-7b3cb29281af
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kittynoirofficial_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kittynoirofficial/videos
Image Credits
Marijana Belton
Lion Multimedia
