Mickey Guyton: Lean into your uniqueness
Meditative Story
WaitWhat
4.6 • 3.2K Ratings
🗓️ 15 March 2021
⏱️ 29 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Behind her Grammy-nominated song “Black Like Me,” Mickey Guyton shares the story of her long journey toward embracing her voice as a country music star. As a Black woman in a traditionally white industry, her authenticity is constantly questioned: Too Black. Too white. Not “country” enough. Plagued by self-doubt, Mickey’s breakthrough comes when she remembers what matters to her and stops trying to fit in – instead, she leans in to what makes her unique. Whether you’re listening for the first time, or you’ve had this episode on repeat, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of why she chose to sing “Black Like Me” in an absolutely iconic performance at the 2021 Grammy Awards.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hey, it's Rowan. |
| 0:02.2 | So we know that life doesn't come with an instruction manual. |
| 0:06.7 | But the next best thing I found is a podcast called LifeKit from NPR. |
| 0:12.7 | The LifeKit podcast can help you tackle life-altering questions, or just your everyday pickles. |
| 0:19.7 | Each episode offers deeply human solutions to deeply human problems. |
| 0:24.8 | I think you'll find it really valuable. |
| 0:27.4 | So check out LifeKit, wherever you get your podcasts. |
| 0:48.9 | Something's missing. |
| 0:51.4 | I have a unique story, and yet here I'm trying to look and sound like every other artist that's making country music. |
| 0:59.4 | Trying to fit in, trying to act the part to be notice. |
| 1:04.4 | It can't work. |
| 1:07.4 | It just isn't me. |
| 1:11.4 | In my life, I'm always taught to listen. |
| 1:18.4 | When I was younger, I'd listen to my elders. |
| 1:21.4 | I'd listen to my mom. |
| 1:23.4 | I'd listen to Micah. |
| 1:26.4 | If I listened, I could fit in. |
| 1:30.4 | If I listened, I could get approval. |
| 1:33.4 | I'd do everything they tell me, and nothing works. |
| 1:38.4 | I feel like a stallion tied up in a stable. |
| 1:44.4 | I'm reaching to run free. |
| 1:49.4 | Mickey Geiten is as country as they come. |
... |
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