Often, those who tread off the beaten path are misunderstood or mischaracterized and so we asked folks from the community to reflect and tell us about the times they’ve been misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Chelsea-Mari Swain

I have been misunderstood for most of my life, but I have also had my work misunderstood as well. I believe that it is to be expected when you’re an artist. I feel as if you have to welcome that because art is subjective. The more people don’t understand something the more they attempt to figure it out, it becomes captivating. Captivation is the goal: understood or misunderstood, I still made you look. Read more>>

Nicole Mcnarie

I tend to get misunderstood a lot even though I’m a very authentic person. People wonder why I’m vulnerable and an open book about things, while at the same time still reserved and private about myself. Read more>>

Kryptic G

For the majority of my life, I’ve always been misunderstood. I can list numerous situations where someone believed they’ve figured me out, but in reality, they don’t even have the slightest clue about who I am as an individual. I’ve unintentionally dived into spirituality (non-religious) and commenced my journey, at the beginning of 2022. Due to that, I’ve become more and more misunderstood by the human eye. I’ve learned that I am highly intuitive, raw, confident, and untouchable…and that others are simple-minded and predictable. Read more>>

Rachael Chau

Before I started my theatre training in high school, I was incredibly shy. In my opinion, I’ve always been an introvert (and always will be), but it was much more outwardly evident back then. Now, a decade after starting high school, most people are confused as to why I identify as an introvert still. I laugh and explain my reasons; meeting new people isn’t my thing, Read more>>

Lyssa’s Lizards

As a female reptile keeper of over a decade, one of the questions I have often been asked is, “Oh wow… why?”, among many other judgmental questions and comments. Reptiles notoriously get a certain reputation for being scary, gross, weird and even evil. This usually means that people, especially women, who have a love for these misunderstood animals are often mischaracterized along with them. Read more>>

LS Lane

My works have been misunderstood since I began flying solo in my music entertainment endeavors. It could be of my own fault at times, but I most believe it is a misperception from my peers based on my exterior, especially being an avid femcee with years of experience under my belt. There is an image and persona that is highly accepted and advised when it comes to black female entertainers, in the hip-hop genre primarily. I am instantly flagged because I carry the appearance that hip-hop culture claims should be glamorized but at the same time ostracized because of my natural beauty, (they say blackness). Read more>>

Aaron Becker

To be honest , I feel like there is a line sometimes like I noticed that a lot of people that knew me from a long time ago and high school often ask if I still rap which truthfully I was never really a rapper lol I think they just categorize that into the same thing as being an artist because its easier to comprehend. Read more>>

Paisley Fernandez

I have typically always worked in the arts and fashion industry, and in this industry of course comes judgement. Art is essentially subjective, and I think that’s what makes art so special is that people can see and internet things that fit to them, but can also try to imagine what the artist meant. In my work as a model, I have been judged here a lot lately for my more risqué work. Read more>>

Russell Khan

Yes I do feel as though my work and I have been mischaracterized/misunderstood at certain points. One of my songs even contains a lyric referring to me as “mister misunderstood.” As a recording artist in Atlanta, I am often expected to be a shameless self promotion machine like most aspiring rappers but that’s not how I ever envisioned carrying myself or handling my brand. Read more>>

Steven Peterson

Most people assume I am “just a fighter”, although fighting is a huge part of my persona, the push through mentality is applicable in my daily activities. Believe it or not, fighting in the UFC is just one of many outlets. I describe myself as an innovative individual who tends to branch out and explore new opportunities in-between competitions Read more>>