Marian Johnson

“Be fearless! Go after you dreams. Write down your vision/goals and make it plain. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do! Be your own motivation! Push yourself. "

Q. Thanks for interviewing with us. Tell everyone who you are and what you do?

A. Hey there! Everybody! I’m Marian Johnson. I’m from VA Beach and I’m an upcoming artist.

Q. Who or What motivated you to be a singer?

A. Well, my family sings. We relate to singing families like The Pace Sisters, The Clark Sisters & The Braxton’s. I’m number 8 of 10 siblings so I always thought no one wanted to hear lil’ ol me. I felt like I had to fight to be heard. My sister Melissa has the most angelic voice. I fell in love with her singing since we were kids! I wanted to sing like her!

Q. How was your experience being on the Tamron Hall show?

A. Where do I start?! My goodness, what an experience. First of all, I hadn’t eaten in about 4 days! My anxiety was through the roof! I couldn’t sleep either! But I never stopped visualizing me on the show. The producer was sent my video of “Better Days” by her mother. She said she cried when she heard it and had to let the rest of the show’s producers listen too! They agreed to let Tamron hear and she love it as well. Stephanie, the producer, tried to contact me on FB but couldn’t get a response. She said she looked at my friends’ list to see who seemed close to me. She saw my brother’s name and phone and contacted him! My brother texted me something completely different and I still didn’t understand so I checked my social media myself. There was a message request from her. I contacted her. I was skeptical, like what and who is this person!! She was so sweet and encouraging. I felt honored and that’s when the anxiety and fear crept in. I constantly prayed and meditated until the show. I am a very spiritual person, and everyone knows I love the Lord. I never have felt a connection so strong between Him and I as the day to perform approached. I needed HIM! He knows my heart; He knows my mind, so I looked to him for guidance and assurance. My family and friends were SO supportive! I was blown away. With all the support and God on my side I couldn’t back down or let succumb to the fear. I was ready! The night before the show I had to rehearse with Stephanie on Skype. My daughter stood in the background off camera in awe of me. I began to sing... Got to the high part and NOTHING! Absolutely NOTHING! No sound would come out! I began to sweat and my stomach turned. My daughter looked at me in disbelief. I felt sick! I apologized and told Stephanie I would try again. She assured me that it was ok and that she believed I would do well! I continuously apologized and told her I will be ready tomorrow and that’s a promise! Show Day! I couldn’t sleep just like the days before. I still had that feeling in my stomach but tried to ignore it. As I was getting dressed and prepared my anxiety skyrocketed. Ooooo I felt like I wasn’t going to make it. All of a sudden, my Mom calls me. She had just had 2 major strokes and was released a week or so before. Mom needed help getting dressed. Helping my mom calmed my anxiety and

gave me something else to do and think about while waiting for the show to start. I was going to sing along with a track but 1 was too slow and the other was too fast. Stephanie suggested I sing acapella. I agreed! We ran over the song once before the show started to film. It was a success. Stephanie said the entire production staff gave me a round of applause! I was relieved. The show soon started afterwards. My daughter stood off camera and cheered on me silently. I was sooo proud in that moment to have my daughter witness me following my dreams. Tamron introduced me and asked some questions then it was time! If you look back at the segment right before I sang, I mouthed the word “JESUS!” Because it was, He that has bought me this far! I’m so grateful for these opportunities that God has prepared for me. Everyone in the past had told me NO, but God says yes!

Q. Where do you see yourself in next 3 years?

A. I see myself topping several charts and music platforms. Performing across the world and major events. I just want to be heard from the north to the south and to the east and west.

Q. What has been one of your biggest challenges being in the industry?

A. Building my team! So many people say they will and can do this and that but when it’s time to put up they shut up. Finding people with a similar vision as you are difficult so you must pave your own way.

Q. Can you give some advice to someone that wants to be in this industry?

A. Be fearless! Go after your dreams. Write down your vision/ goals and make it plain. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do! Be your own motivation! Push yourself. And most of all love on yourself, give yourself a pat on the back when you do well!

Q. If you were in an arena full of people what would be a song you would sing?

A. Somewhere Over the Rainbow or Look At Me.

Q. If magic was real what spell would you try to learn first?

A. I would learn how to change hate into love!

Q. Are you working on any events or projects for 2021?

A. Yes! I’m working on my own project finally! 6 song EP. It’s going to be versatile. I love all music, so I definitely want to show how passionate I am for all genres.

Q. Where can the audience follow you?

A. You can follow me on FB @ MariansMelodys, IG @MsMarians_ Melodys, YouTube Marian Johnson and TikTok @msmariansmelodys.