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.

Mariah Germany

Honestly, i believe we live in such an incriminating society. Cancel culture has shaken the industry. I truly do believe some people can come off a certain way contrary to what they’re trying to present. It can be from their music to their mindsets. Either way, there’s always going to be something someone can find not to like about someone. That’s why I’ve decided not to care what people think about me entirely. No one is liked by everyone, might as well be yourself, even if you’re misunderstood. Read more>>

Charlie Petch

When I came out in 2016 as a transmasculine person, a lot of people thought I would somehow have no sense of humour anymore. I honestly have never been happier in my life. Being trans isn’t a tragedy. I still hear “you’re the same person” and of course I am, I’ve always been trans, people in my generation had no access to queer education, unless we were in Drama Class. It’s strange now how many directors I had who cast me as a man, but won’t accept my transness now. When I came out I was still running “Hot Damn It’s a Queer Slam” a provincial poetry slam series I created, and other younger gender non-conforming people called me an elder, but in reality, youth were my mentors. Masculine trans people lost so many of their elders to the AIDS crisis. I seek older trans men for wisdom, but so many of us, in so many ways, just got here and never grew up with an understanding that we deserve respect, safety or inclusion. Read more>>

Tee Lonzo

Some people don’t understand why I only have a passion for making music and nothing else. That’s my true desire besides being able to take care of my family. Read more>>

Ada LeAnn

I started performing around my hometown when I was just 14 years old and with this came a load of expectations to put on the type of show that the people in my hometown desired. I began performing country music at all of my shows because my parents and friends loved country. And with that , people DID enjoy my country shows. However as I got older and started exploring my creative abilities in writing my own songs, I found that country really was not what I wanted to be doing. I started performing bedroom pop music at my shows acoustically, as well as my own songs! Read more>>

Tara Dunbar

In the Art world I feel a sense of freedom. There are also times in this Strange Art Land I feel gravely misunderstood. People judge me from my appearance or my art often. I feel no one can help how they look because our vessel was already chosen. What matters most is a good heart. I am a surreal painter and designer. My odd concepts often stir deep emotion within people. I create unique landscapes, weird faces, ocean vessels, nature scenes, space dreams, mind visions, eyeball designs, hybrid imaginary creatures, mythical beings, and more. The perception a viewer has, the raw emotion they feel looking at my art is their own inner emotion reflecting back to their response. Sometimes connecting in a surreal way can take you out of your mind. A real mind escape. It can pull you in and hold you a moment. My spooky Alien art has made children giggle and adults gasp in disbelief. One child stated it was spooky! Read more>>

Alicia Robinson

Being in a wheelchair by far the hardest thing in life I’ve ever had to go thru it’s so scary at all times because everyone around you has more control ppl take advantage of ever situation presented the day to day world even acts as if ppl in wheelchairs don’t matter from high shelves to small walkways to tables being to close or small It’s jus horrible like really dogs get treated better then ppl Read more>>

GONER (Evan Miller)

I definitely always try to make sure I’m not “unreachable” but at the same time I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to my character. I always want to be there for anyone that needs it, and to be the light people need when they feel like they have nothing but dark. But, I’ve unfortunately have had a lot of people overstep boundaries or disrespect me and think I won’t handle it. It’s also safe to say, I love being the first to correct someone haha. Read more>>

Veronica Stein

Since childhood I remember feeling like I didn’t fit in. My purpose didn’t feel clear, nor did I feel like I belonged in any one group. Always searching for a place, the only constant I felt was home was in art. My family encouraged my artistic eye and I felt encouraged to dig deeper. Read more>>

Christopher Kenyatta Sese-Khalid Jr.

Being a business owner, artist and leadsr can be very difficult at times because some people may not understand the core mission or what you are trying to do. That’s why it’s always good to not worry about it so much and always do what’s right. Read more>>

Liliana Tani

As a creator I’ve been privileged to meet so many other talented and amazing artists in the music industry. I’ve learned that artists are often misunderstood and sometimes misjudged by those around them in social circles. Artists are contributors, we create and then share what we are passionate about. Sometimes this is seen as showing off. A lot of artists struggle with loneliness, and our willingness to share is misunderstood. The most amazing feeling is to write a song, or sing something that makes someone feel something. It’s the best way I know how to communicate. As creators, we put ourselves out there, and do this in hopes to make a genuine connection. Read more>>

Megan Mickael

I find myself constantly being asked to define my art or reign it in for someone else to be able to define it. For me art and its creation does not have a definition. There is no agenda or crusade other than the discharge of creativity in a moment as well as over time. Read more>>

Rebecca Lee

I think when you’re any type of artist, there will be a point (or multiple points) where you are misunderstood. That’s the nature of being in a profession that requires you to show vulnerability and bare your soul in some capacity. Compound that with social media where users feel a sense of detachment from the person on their screen that they’re critiquing, and you are bound to be mischaracterized at some point. And to me, being misunderstand feels worse than failing because the inference people are making can be so inaccurate, and yet you can’t fix it when it’s a bunch of people on the internet or a live audience. Even for instance a casting director. You’re in the room for 5-10 minutes and once you leave, you can’t check up to make sure that CD has an accurate portrayal of you based on the minutes you’re in the room you know? Read more>>

Buba Basishvili

Even if I make interesting work for most people I am not given similar opportunities to grow and to achieve my goals. The shows I made has very positive reviews and interest is growing from the audience to attend future shows. But it is extremely hard for me to find similar support as locals do. Read more>>

Donny Parks

For me, I think it is important for an artist to understand how their craft and outlet creates a perception of who they are and TRULY how they view themselves to their listeners and audience. It is a serious thing because whether it is music like for myself or whatever outlet a creative uses, this is how we connect with the world and allow for our message to be shared. Everything that we do has to be intentional and purposeful. My goal with my music is to allow for someone to never ever feel alone as well as show that anything is possible as long as you believe in yourself and push yourself through all obstacles that stand in your way. So I cannot just go out there and rap about drugs, violence, and pure negative things because this will taint my intention to those who listen to me and then I am taking away from what my goal is and thus become misunderstood. So I have to stay consistent not only with my work but also with myself so that way I am staying true to who I am and how I want to be seen in the industry as well as the world. It’s easy to sell out for a quick dollar but harder to stay true to yourself no matter what everyone says and feels. This is what makes the difference between a true artist versus a misunderstood individual. Read more>>

ERIC DAVIS

In doing shows around the world, I did a lot of interviews. In one particular show, Red Bastard, I play a provocative bouffon. A kind of impish comedy monster who sets a theme and then begins to interact with audience members around that theme. The show was very fun and funny, but also involved a lot of intense emotions, and even excitment/anxiety/ fear because the themes brought real life implications for the audience members. Sometimes audience members would take life changing actions at the show. Read more>>

Stephen Roach

I’ve often felt that to explore the themes which are important to me as an artist, I had to be willing to be misunderstood. Especially given that much of my work deals with spiritual themes, sometimes darker or unfamiliar subject matter or musical styles which are foreign to our Western ears. Read more>>

Micah Christian

As young black men in a classical-crossover quartet (harp, cello, keyboard, and vocals), we have always recognized the potential of being mischaracterized or misunderstood. Read more>>