Meet Chanel Samson of Chanel & the Circus in Burbank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanel Samson.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
So I grew up in LA, moved to England for music school, started The Secret Circus, was kicked out, landed back here about 2 years ago and am now doing a ton of creative stuff. I have Epstein-Barr Virus, which I’ve been battling for 7 years, but it really hit me recently. I found so many people dealing with chronic illnesses, mental and physical, I had to reach out and talk about it.

I released my debut album ‘Eat Your Heart Out’ about a year ago and was about to go on tour when it hit me: Epstein-Barr Virus was back with a vengeance. I suddenly couldn’t walk without falling over, I was faint all the time, exhausted, having panic attacks (which I never experienced before and I hope you never have to) and completely confused. I went to all the doctors I could find, and they said my charts were fine, just a higher antibody count on Epstein-Barr, which they didn’t have a lot of research on. I went on my English tour anyway, which was amazing because I let out my frustration on stage and realized I could rely on my friends. I never really asked for help before, and it was an important lesson to learn. As soon as I got home my body completely collapsed and I was forced to commit myself to heal.

I moved out of my Hollywood apartment, quit my jobs, stopped performing and was glued to my bed. My nutritionalist from Nutrikon understood the seriousness of the illness and gave me shots, vitamins, heavy metal cleanses, and put me in the oxygen tank. I also did a ton of research and found the Medical Medium, who helped thousands of people out of their chronic and mysterious illnesses. I decided to do his 30-day cleanse and document my journey, which you can find on my Instagram Health story. There were loads of ups and downs, but by the end of it, I could get out of the house for a couple of hours a day, although still feeling sick, dizzy and faint. At this point, I created my drag king, Prince Alarming.

Drag was easier than the band because it was a five minute set. During this time, I came out as gender fluid (pronouns they/them) and had a wonderful community to respect and uplift me. Meanwhile, I was trying all the alternative therapies I could find, which included nerve massage therapy, heavy metal cleanses, energetic healing, gradual exercise, meditation, vitamins, emotional therapy, and a raw fruits and vegetable diet with some lean meats. The thing about therapy is you have to do it multiple times to see even the slightest result. Over the past nine months, I have gradually gotten healthier with plain old patience and persistence, but this is something I have to be aware of for the rest of my life.

Now let’s talk emotions. Staying in bed every day for months on end is extremely depressing and confusing. I started going to a therapist to get through grief, the loss of my body, my life, and my career. I realized I had been sacrificing myself for people, and never really knew how to say no. Although my body was genetically prone to Epstein-Barr Virus, my emotional state was linked to my health as well. I wrote so many songs about loss during this time, which I’m now releasing. I call it emo dance music because it’s about depression, anxiety, and breakups to upbeat, happy tunes. I hope it will help people sweat out their issues and see that it’s okay to talk about them.

It’s funny, as soon as released control opportunities started appearing again. Dreams that had died came back around and tapped me on the shoulder, like hello Chanel now that you’ve let go we’re back! I am finally free of my own pressures and plans, and because of that my art is so much more genuine and enjoyable. I’ve learned an incredible amount through this process, and I hope to share that with the world, to help anyone struggling with mental or physical illness. If you’re in LA come get a hug! I’ll be singing and dancing my heart out, grateful when I can.

Has it been a smooth road?
Nope! But hey I’m alive and kicking and have a greater depth of gratitude and compassion than I ever did. I am not scared anymore because I’ve been through such grief, I know everything gets better with time, and that allows me to accept failure and to be ecstatic when things go well.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Chanel & the Circus story. Tell us more about the business.
Our first single ‘Under the Impression of Depression’ is out! It’s such a piece of my heart and I cannot believe it’s come this far. Our shows have evolved through this great mix of people from the cabaret and music world, complete with choreography an glitter tears. You can save the single and stream it on Spotify or Apple Music 🙂 Catch us at the release party May 9th with The Secret Circus at Akbar.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think with all the communication we have in the world now, collaboration is bound to grow. I have just recently started co-writing on my project as well as others’ and it’s such a beautiful feeling. The more the merrier!

Pricing:

• Chanel & the Circus Vinyl – $20
• Body Part Enamel Pins – $5
• Comic Books – $1

Contact Info:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3hXXv2noAETM90hqUoZ5Te
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanelandthecircus/
• Website: www.chanelandthecircus.com
• Email: chanelsamsoncircus@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChanelAndTheCircus/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/chanelsamson?lang=en

Image Credit:
Nora Rosenberg, Shannon Leigh, Merris Beadle

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