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.

Barry White

Absolutely. From an early age, most of the people around me knew that I could draw. My teachers, classmates and friends always gave me my props. Everyone always came to me for help with art projects and commissions. Read More>>

Raddix (Josh Martin)

Yeah, I’ve definitely felt misunderstood being an EDM artist who’s also a vocalist. A lot of people automatically think of DJs or producers when they hear “EDM,” but I’ve always been more of a front-man type singing live, writing lyrics, and blending different genres. It was tricky at first to find my lane, but it actually pushed me to explore more. Read More>>

Jada Cato

As a black woman in country music, I am often mischaracterized. I’m constantly asked if I am an R&B artist or a rapper. I have even had my music described as Country R&B despite it having no elements of rhythm and blues! Existing in a black body seems to communicate a pre-written story about my experience and artistry. Read More>>

Ronald Joseph

I’d like to think that my work is solid and has steadily improved. I don’t feel my work has been misunderstood so much as I have been personally. Behind the scenes, I’m a positive person who is usually making jokes and trying to lighten the mood. They see me, as opposed to the character I could potentially be playing. Read More>>

Malcolm Bellew

Because design is literally about making things look better, there’s this built-in perception that the person behind it has it all figured out—that if you can make something look right, you must have life and business right too. The truth is, I don’t. I’m a fragile, indecisive human being with constantly shifting interests, just trying to build something real. Read More>>

Ariel Bridges

Growing up Black and Japanese in Texas, I became a professional shape shifter—now, I create music that resists being shaped by rules. I can’t tell you how many times over the years that I’ve gone to mics and people expect me to be a rapper or R&B singer—just because of how I look. Read More>>

Clottee Hammons

In the Southwest Black people are routinely excluded from the historical narratives of the West or areas that are local for them. Therefore, all of their Arts learning and exposures are Eurocentric. As a Black child (in Catholic school) I was discouraged from depicting Black babies, princesses and angels. In college I inquired of a professor why he always characterized African Art as primitive. Read More>>

Gerald Miller

All The Time. When I started making music nobody really understood my style. I always felt like I was ahead and the only people that understood my thought process was the producers. I felt like in away they were different. Every thing meshed so well. Read More>>

Ambra Lombardo

As a model who’s been working with look since 14 yo, I’ve always been misunderstood and misinterpreted. The world assumes that models are just look. Superficial and self absorbed humans with not inner qualities. It might be true in many cases (for models as much as for common and ordinary people). Read More>>

Lauralynn Featherpistol

It’s probably going to sound naive, but I became a pole artist to turn pole dance “upside down” and challenge the status quo of what is typically associated with pole.  But I get mischaracterized as a “stripper” often, especially in the early 2010’s when pole dance wasn’t quite so mainstream yet. Read More>>