SKYE, the ever-talented singer-songwriter, businesswoman, and soon-to-be author and filmmaker took time out of her busy schedule to discuss upcoming releases and her uplifting mindset. When you meet SKYE, her name matches her personality immediately. She has deep and otherworldly energy but when you speak to her, she is humble and kind; She is like a bright sunny sky and a breath of fresh air. Her passion, intellect, strong will, and work ethic, along with her supermodel look, give her an incredible star quality you can’t help but admire.
SKYE has spent a decade living as a digital nomad, where she had what almost everyone would consider a dream life. She traveled the world, experiencing different countries and cultures while working as a writer for travel blogs and magazines. She started an Instagram account during the pandemic and since then has grown to over 1 million followers and has taken part in New York Fashion Week and Los Angeles Fashion Week, has been seen at several red-carpet events such as vanity fair and the critic choice awards, and has faced the cover of several magazines such as Maxim France. SKYE’s album LIGHT and corresponding film Light Travelers is set to be released. In addition, she is launching her lifestyle brand Skye Thrive, which helps you to be your best self, create your ideal life, and simplify balancing all areas life. Her business is dedicated to showing you how to become your happiest, healthiest self.
How did you get into music and what inspired you to choose this career path?
I have a greater purpose and light I want to share with the world. Music, creation, and art have always made me feel whole. I’ve been singing since I was 3 years old. I used to write lyrics, design the choreography, the clothes, everything. Once when I was young, I sang in front of a group of around 1,000 people. I remember vividly seeing their reactions. People came up to me crying and thanking me after the show. It was at that moment; I saw what performing could do for someone else. It can truly affect people and make them want to become better.
You used to be a world-traveling writer. How do you think that has shaped your personality?
When you live abroad the world becomes a part of you, your character becomes a patchwork of cultures and customs, a tapestry of understanding and acceptance for the beauty of human differences.
Travel can teach you things that little else can. I almost lost my best friend through my travels from a mosquito-borne illness. I was in the worst typhoon in Japan in over a century. Shortly after, I was in a tornado and the next day a fire. Travel has changed me, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. The past decade has been the most liberating, freeing, and exciting experience. I have felt both lost and connected to the world and to myself. Travel leaves the most beautiful scar on your mind and your heart. It turns your life into an irreplaceable memory and adventure.
You’ve already grown to over a million followers, and you’ve only been modeling for a little over a year. What motivated you to start and do you have advice for people wanting to succeed in social media?
Someone needed to remind everyone there was still hope, that even in the isolation we all felt, there was still something we can do. I started with the thought, “If I can just give one person the motivation to keep going and pursue their dreams.” For that reason, I created my platform to bring more positivity, motivation, and to teach everyone about the importance of living to the best of their ability. I think the most important thing on social media is to be compassionate, vulnerable, and unapologetically yourself. Everyone wants to see the real you, not perfection, or whoever you think you should be ideally. The more you post, engage, and put yourself out there the more you will grow. Lastly, learn from people that are where you want to go in your field while staying true to yourself first.
Tell us about your album and fantasy world! I know everyone has been excitedly waiting.
I recognize this project as my life’s work and as a beautifully massive undertaking. What started as an album has grown into a fantasy novel as well as a film series. I don’t want to give too much away yet, but it’s something that’s never been done before. There are various genres, languages, and cultural elements. It is a world, a story that you can follow through each of the songs alongside the correlating novel and film. I’m hoping to even beat a few world records. It will take you on a journey through poetry, literature, history and fantasy, love, and life, and I hope to move your heart along the way.
That sounds incredibly challenging but wildly entertaining. Where did you find the determination to follow through with such an undertaking?
I think that the best things in life are out of your comfort zone and require creative vision. The best dreams are met with the most opposition. The best views come with the hardest climb and the greatest rewards come with the highest risk. I grew up in poverty where I was mentally abused, harassed, and bullied for being different. I want to be proof that others can become their best and pursue their dreams. All my passion comes from my desire to help others to feel strong and capable in their own abilities. I think the difficulties I went through shaped me into someone with integrity and resolve. For this reason, I value character above everything else. If there is something I can do to move someone to feel like they can stand up and take action towards their own life, if I can give even one person a push forward to find their own strength to get to the other side with a smile, if they can feel like they aren’t alone; That’s my motivation for everything I do and what led me to create a fantasy world that can inspire people to see hope within their own lives.
You are so inspiring! There is a lot everyone can learn from who you are and how you have lived your life. Tell us more about Skye Thrive.
It’s a 12-week all-encompassing program to completely change your life. My guide includes a self-help book, a fitness, and nutrition program, a lifestyle guide, and a journal, where you can plan, keep track of your progress which has a fun gaming system you can play. When I was struggling, trying to improve my own life, I wished there was a program that would help me to grow in every aspect of my life. I credit this approach to how I was able to improve my coming from abuse and poverty, being homeless, sleeping out of her car to getting in shape, becoming well-educated, as well as having the success I have attained in my career and relationships. I’ll show you the steps that can help turn your life around where you can live out the life you’ve always dreamed of.
What has been the most challenging and rewarding thing about being a businesswoman?
The most difficult thing for me personally is balancing my time. It’s common for all entrepreneurs but making sure to have a work-life balance is crucial. I would say starting anything is exciting and can be overwhelming so it’s important to break down tasks into small achievable goals. Anything I do in business; I consider how it will impact the world. Any project I take on, I hope to contribute to the world and make people’s lives better. Seeing everyone’s smiling faces as the result of my efforts is the greatest reward I could ask for.
What song and movie do you best identify with?
Little Wonders by Rob Thomas and What Dreams May Come.
What are three words that best describe you?
Sunlight. Depth. Integrity.
Do you have any advice for young girls that want to become like you?
If you want to become a strong woman, develop your own character before you care what anyone else thinks. I promise you, every single person you think has it together secretly feels insecure too. We are all human. Care about the heart more than anything else. Thinking someone is wealthier, prettier, younger, or more successful than you will take from your own shine and time you could be spending being happy and working hard towards your goals. Look at where you want to go in life, stay determined, and don’t feel like any dream you have is too far out of reach. Focus on what you feel inside. The most beautiful quality of all is to have love and belief in yourself.
SKYE is a woman of many talents, and I would love the opportunity to sit down with her for hours to discuss views and philosophies. I can feel she is going to make big moves in the world. I am looking forward to everything she is releasing and to watching her continued success.
You can follow her Instagram @skye.aurelia and her website www.skyeaurelia.com for more of her life, positivity, beautiful content, and release updates.
