We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nova. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nova below.

Nova, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Oh that’s a great question! I grew up in a very musically-inclined family where basically everyone in my immediate family can either sing, dance, play an instrument of some sort, or all of the above, haha. However, the moment I think it really clicked for me was when I was about 4 or 5 years old. My mom had a HUGE collection of Vinyls from back in the day. Whenever it was time to debrief or relax for the day, she’d turn off the TV, make us a little snack, and she’d turn on the record player.
I can just remember the song, ‘I Can’t Help It’ from Off the Wall playing. I was just the happiest little kid, spinning around in circles, swinging my favorite stuffed animal, smiling, giggling, and singing to myself in the living room as the sun peeked through the windows— just like those cheesy scenes in the movies. She had a plethora of cassette tapes with a bunch of Michael Jackson’s music videos and performances and I’d just sit on the couch and watch them all day, mesmerized, and enamored. It was truly moments like those, where I experienced the raw feelings of inspiration meeting curiosity.
I began to study this man’s craft. I’d spend days studying his music videos and picked apart the choreography. I’d rewind the videos over and over until I could perform the choreography off the top of my head. I studied his evolution in his various singing styles and I’d study the way he embodied himself on stage. Back when CDs were still fairly popular in the early 2000s , I’d open up the CD case, and pull out the pamphlet that displayed different photos from photoshoots, along with the lyrics that went with the songs on the album.
In those moments, I found myself realizing that I want to be just like the man I saw on TV as a little girl and I knew I’d want to inspire the next generation of kids that looks just like me to pursue the things they love.. the same way Michael’s music inspired me. In a way, you could say he was a musical father figure for me.
Prince as well. Their music is like therapy for me and I knew at a very young age that I’d want to create something that impacts people like that. Something that gives them a reason to keep going everyday.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Well absolutely! I go by the name Nova, though it’s not my real name. I chose the name about 3 or so years ago because I wanted to pick something that embodied the futuristic, intergalactic, and ethereal essence of my very being. I was born in Atlanta, GA; I’m 21 years old and I’m a new Recording Artist on the scene! I’ve essentially been singing, dancing, and overall performing since the age of 3. I LOVE meeting new people, putting smiles on people’s faces, exploring/hiking, and using different art mediums such as painting in my leisure (if I ever get that now a days).
I learned a bit of piano at 5 years old, but I slowly shifted my interest into becoming a percussionist once middle school came along.
My mom made sure to put me in performance art schools, talent, and acting agencies growing up. So I honestly made a lot of my connections in the industry at a pretty young age. There was hardly ever a time that I was NOT auditioning for small movie roles or competing in dance competitions that my old schools would prepare me for.
My journey with how I got into the music industry is a very interesting one because I lived a sort of double life by being a “regular” school girl during the day and being an artist at night. It used to be common knowledge at my school that I sing and dance, but as I got older I grew to be more private about it and it evolved into this, “if you know, you know”, type of thing.
As I got older and closer to graduating high school, I realized that I genuinely couldn’t picture myself being anything else other than an artist or a creative. It’s something I’ve literally spent my entire life training for, so anything else didn’t really make sense even though I was actually a really smart student.
So at 17, I signed to an agency, and I started going to networking events frequently. Whether I felt ready or not to fully put myself out there again, I took a chance on myself, ended up booking amazing opportunities, and I made such wonderful, and gifted friends along the way.
As of 2021, I got a call from a very good friend of mine that I used to dance with years back, they told me about an audition for this record label, and heavily suggested I give it a try. I got in touch with the executives immediately, auditioned over zoom— because… you know.. post pandemic times, and they wanted me to visit their studio ASAP! I went through a series of more auditions after that and now I’m in a girl group named, ‘XPNSV’ with such talented young ladies and I couldn’t be more grateful!
It’s really all about who you know at the end of the day! I curated multiple paths for me to kind of reach my break through and I didn’t quite imagine myself being where I’ve ended up, but ultimately I feel blessed to be where I am.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Currently, I’m recovering from ACL surgery for the second time. I first tore my ACL back in 2016, at age 15 and I tore it again a couple months ago during dance rehearsal back in August. I’m still recovering from my surgery that I had back in October. I’ve been asked by random strangers, ER nurses, and people I hold close to me, “Have ever you considered quitting? You don’t want to mess up your knee.” My answer? No. Music is my love language, my escape, my passion… it’s not something I could just give up willingly, unless I’m forced to.
I look at these tough situations as my testing periods that I know I’m meant to overcome. It’s times like these that force me to focus on the mental side of my craft AND to focus on myself. Re-learning myself, who I am, what my intentions are, and my what my purpose is. It’s my time to recalibrate, plan ahead, and RELAX.
Something that any extremely busy entreprenuer knows doesn’t come often. For that reason, oddly enough.. I look at it as a blessing in disguise.
I’m learning how to walk again for the second time, I’m still extremely numb around my surgical areas, and I’m building my strength back up to correct the muscle atrophy that has occurred due to the period of time where I wasn’t able to use or move my leg. The recovery process takes about 8 months to a year; the first time it took me a little over a year to fully heal, though my leg has never really been the same since the first injury.
I say all this to say, don’t allow anything to come in the way of your passion or your vision. When you truly love something, you’ll find ways around the hardships.. or you never know, sometimes those ways find you. I chose to stay strong-minded, strong-willed, and to continue to push myself beyond my own limits. Pick yourself up when you’re down, be nice to yourself, and continue to elevate.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I would say that the most rewarding aspect of being an artists and/or a creative is being able to see how your blessings also bless others. Your music, your words, your lyrics can calm the minds locked in away in a stormy room. You can trust that in some way, shape, or form .. you inspired somebody to take charge of their life and to go after the things they’re passionate about.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @goldenovaa
• Other: Tiktok: @goldenovaa

Image Credits
1. Moncef Dachraoui – Dash Digital Studio 2. Stephon X Photography 3. Matthew J. Roachford 4. Matthew J. Roachford 5. Moncef Dachraoui – Dash Digital Studio 6. Juice Theiry Co (Magazine Shoot) 7. Moncef Dachraoui – Dash Digital Studio 8. Selfie