Meet Zola Stone | Singer, Model/Actress & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zola Stone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zola, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Life for me has always been about risk. Growing up with a single mother from the Philippines wasn’t easy and I give my mom props for being the strong woman she is to take risks everyday to survive. Being born and raised in Minneapolis, I always wanted more for myself because I struggled with being bullied in school, anxiety, depression and sexual abuse. At a young age I knew once I turned 18 I would flee to Los Angeles and pursue my dreams in the entertainment industry. I did exactly that, I drove from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in my car with only $500 in my pocket. I had no idea where I was going to live or what would happen next.. I just knew I was destined to do great things and I followed my heart. When you love something, you have to take a leap faithfully.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well, I’m a creator. I don’t like to label myself as just one thing, I don’t like to be put in a box. I model, act, dabble in photography and painting. Creating music is where I get the most joy in my life. My passion is telling stories through my art and expressing who I am. It took awhile to figure out my purpose and to find the light. But through my experiences over the years, I did the work necessary to learn self love. I now see the vision and I’m ready to share it with the world in due time.

I’ve been working on my album and this has been a big dream of mine for the longest. This project is what I’m most proud of at the moment because I took my time and gave blood, sweat and tears. I love when I bring my ideas to reality and that’s the best part of creating. I don’t have a release date yet but I will drop some snippets for you soon!

I’m where I am today because I had to change myself, my mindset. I allowed myself to think I’m worth it and anything is possible if I believe. I had to grow and become confident in who I am and what I wanted. You have to put yourself out there and can’t let fear hold you back from what you really want in your life. It won’t be easy of course, but it will prepare and shape you for greatness. I learned that everything is a process, it’s a journey and there’s success on the other side.

This album, my masterpiece is going to show that I’m more than just a pretty face. It will show my character and that someone like me has a voice too.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
After living in Los Angeles for 10 years, I recently moved to Arizona and my friends have been wanting to come out here so we can explore! So this is what a week with me in Arizona would be like;

Sunday: Arizona Buddhist Temple, Angry Crab Shack and BBQ, Tanque Verde Falls Beach, Barnes and Noble.

Monday: Museum, Festivals, Galleries, Zoo, Hot air ballon over the Grand Canyon, Corn on the cob, Turkey Leg, Funnel Cake, DipnDots (yes, I love food!)

Tuesday: Tacos, Bowling, Casino. Hookah Lounge.

Wednesday: Drive in Movie Theatre, Popcorn w/ Chocolate, Seafood Pasta. Bonfire & S’mores, Shamanic Healer.

Thursday: Hiking, Private mansion party, Red Wine, Hot tub, Views.

Friday: Shopping in Scottsdale, 5 Star Restaurant, StripClub.

Saturday: Cooking lessons, Camelback Mountain Spa.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank my parents for always supporting my dreams and pushing me to be better than I was yesterday. Without you, I probably wouldn’t have got this far. My friends, wow I’m blessed to have come across the most genuine people who care about me whole heartedly. My haters, you know what they say; “love your enemies”. If you don’t have any, then you’re not living in abundance. Also want to thank anyone else I’ve inspired through my art, that means a lot to me when someone recognizes and appreciates what I love to do! Last but not least, my #1 is GOD! His plans for me are glorious.

Website: https://linktr.ee/zolastone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zolastonemusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zolagemstones

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/zolastonemusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzqZxzVCP8gn1nxQygCAiCw?app=desktop

Image Credits
Bureau623