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.

Gage Blevins

For one, to be misunderstood means there must be a definition of a thing. I had quit music for about 6 years and was a strong advocate for blues music education programs and youth involvement but all I ever got was flack from the older gatekeepers swearing up and down that I was only truing to further my own position in the industry. I state that to state at that moment, I knew, I was going to make my music sound how I wanted and with little to know help from others on the recording process: I learn to play any instruments I want on my own tracks and time to time offer my services on Fiverr. Read more>>

Jenny Shih

I can easily be misunderstood as deviant or rejective. However l’ve learned to use this outsider viewpoint as a tool to be deliberate in choosing my energy, intent, and desire. Read more>>

Steven Daily

Here in la i’m labeled in the lowbrow, or pop surrealism, category. When my work couldnt be further from this genre of art. I use old baroque style techniques with contemporary subject and topics. That makes a truly unique and contemporary body of work. Read more>>

Jeremy Price

People sometimes mistake my passion for arrogance. This makes my personality a little difficult to stomach at times. So I put a little bit of myself into everything that I cook to make it easy for people to digest. Read more>>

Fazon Gray

In the industry people have often have expected me to have a certain attitude or be quite egotistical. Read more>>

Super Piano Brothers

We both grew up as classical musicians, and bridging the gap between our traditional conservatory training and popular music from video games and movies was a sometimes difficult hurdle we had to navigate. When we first started, the idea of classical musicians playing non-classical repertoire was uncommon. Read more>>

Mulan Throneberry

As a woman from the Southern United States, there have been a lot of roles and standards that a woman “should” fit into that I deviate from. Being a non traditional woman, I have always felt misunderstood in life. Read more>>

Autumn D

My sound is a blend of country, R&B and hiphop, so often as an artist I think my music can be misunderstood or mischaracterized as not R&b enough, not hiphop enough or country enough. This fusion results in a unique sound that challenges preconceived notions about what music should be. Rather than conforming to established genres, I’m carving my on path and sound, weaving personal experiences and southern cultural influences into a tapestry of sound that resists easy classification. Read more>>

Cheyenne Benton

Throughout my life, I’ve been told I come across as this intimidating, confident figure. Some have gone as far as to describe me as standoffish, or off-putting. I think I’ve been so misunderstood over the years that it doesn’t really phase me anymore. People are going to create their own misconceptions about who they believe me to be without even taking the time to get to know me. Read more>>

Amelia Troup

I grew up in a very small town, like 800 people small town. In a rural area where anything outside of the status quo is shunned, so assimilating, to some degree, was necessary. I was labeled the weirdo, the freak, the one not many wanted to associate with, even when I did try to fit in. I knew at a young age that tattooing is what I wanted to pursue as a full time career. 13 to be exact. I also knew that if I were to stay in school until 18, the likelihood is that I would drop out, as so many of my peers did. Read more>>

Safía Stoute

I remember when I started studying art one of my tutors started their first class saying if you’ve felt misunderstood, stood out and seem to have differing opinions to most you’re doing the right degree. As I get older I realise being misunderstood and mischaracterised is natural in a society which often sees people as a monolith instead of simply individuals. I have accepted that being misunderstood as just a part of selfhood Read more>>

DP Kronmiller

Last year near my birthday I came out as transgender on stage for a stand up comedy showcase for agents and casting directors. It was a huge risk, not only because being trans is a lightning rod at the moment but also it was a showcase put on by my commercial agent to help his clients book more and here I was stepping out on stage in makeup and clothes that did not match the middle aged male roles for which I was often auditioning. Adam kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to do it but I remember it not really being a choice for me. Read more>>

Nicole Zuraitis

I’m a late bloomer to jazz. In fact, I was a late bloomer to even acknowledging or realizing that I had any sort of magical power as a musician at all because I wassuch an awkward kid growing up. An old soul, a gifted child, big boned, living in books and dreamland. I had a gift for sports as well as music, but my early growth spurt had me playing on the boys soccer team in middle school because I was too ‘strong’ for the girls. Read more>>

Zac Clejan

Not everyone is going to see your vision. I’ve had my art called a ‘gimmick’ multiple times by ‘gatekeepers’ in this industry (mostly by ppl in older generations) and i’ve had to make a conscious choice to keep going in spite of them. Especially if you’re doing something different, which in my opinion you should consistently strive for as a creative, people are going to judge – different is scary to a lot of people. Change is scary. Read more>>

Tommi Aura

Being androgynous and really open with who I am can come with a lot of responsibility and hate. I feel a responsibility to my fans and community to speak up for us and also hold our values up whenever someone tries to come for us. I also get a lot of hate online and in the world for being who I am. There’s some comfort in knowing I’m not alone, but it doesn’t make it easy. Read more>> 

Nisha Merrifield

I feel like when you really start taking your craft seriously, boundaries are necessary! Saying “no, I am unavailable” without explanation so you can focus is important. Especially when you are pursuing something that isn’t a 9-5 profession. People take the focus of your goals personal. I’ve learned to be okay with being misunderstood. My dreams are important, and I deserve to achieve them. Read more>>