Shea Diamond has released her new song, “Smile,” via Facet House. Co-written with superstar songwriter, producer, and activist Justin Tranter (Imagine Dragons, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber), Eren Cannata (Demi Lovato, Fifth Harmony), and Dan Crean (Gwen Stefani, Bebe Rexha, Anne-Marie) and co-produced by Cannata and Crean, the upbeat tune has arrived just in time to soundtrack the latter half of Pride month. The combination of the grandiose horn section and Shea’s powerful vocal amplifies the sentiment that not only can you overcome anything, but you should celebrate life even more when you do.
The visual takes us to the iconic Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale, CA. Directed by Devyn Galindo, we watch as the disco ball catches the light of every spot of glitter it can find, while following Shea and each rollerskater as they move effortlessly to the beat. Between making out in the bathroom stall to dancing while on a work break, we can tell that everyone feels free to express themselves wholeheartedly and without fear of judgement. More than anything, it visualizes the jubilation that’s felt when you’ve overcome hardship, smiling with each new step forward.
“This song reminds me that I’m not the victim society deemed me; I’m a survivor,” Shea said. “When I was at my lowest and my life’s journey became too much to bare, I felt defeated. It reminds me of all the things I thought would break me or that I’d never get through. For all the things I’ve been through, I’ve learned to embrace my struggles, understanding they too shall pass. I remember so many times I felt alone, disposable, and wanted to give up, life threw so much at me all at once.
“Now I look back on my life with a smile I never thought possible! I’ve moved so far from my nightmare and closer to living the American dream they said would not be accessible to me while living my truth. It reminds me they were wrong. They don’t control my narrative, it belongs to me, and it reminds you as a listener that if someone like me can smile after everything I’ve been through maybe you can too! I wanted a song that captured the roller coaster of emotions and experiences we go through in life. With the pandemic mostly over I wanted a song of triumph and celebration, one that encourages you to get up, get out, and dance!”
Most recently, Shea released “Presence Of A Legend” the original track to filmmaker Luchina Fisher’s documentary, Mama Gloria, which tells the life story of Chicago’s Black transgender icon, Gloria Allen. The documentary kicked off the 13th season of AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange documentary series, showcasing stories from all facets of the African Diaspora.
Shea is a singer and songwriter who makes soul-rooted music of resistance and liberation. Based in New York City, she was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and spent portions of her upbringing in Memphis, Tennessee and Flint, Michigan. Repressed and marginalized throughout her childhood for not accepting her gender role, she ran away at the age of 14 and entered foster care. Upon her emancipation, she lacked the means to pay for gender confirmation surgery, committed armed robbery, and spent roughly a decade in prison. While incarcerated, she developed her powerful singing style and forthright approach to songwriting.
Shea was released from prison in 2009 and relocated to New York. She continued to work on music and became deeply involved in the transgender rights movement. A clip of her performing an original song titled “I Am Her,” a gutbucket blues-soul anthem for outsiders, impressed hit songwriter Justin Tranter (Imagine Dragons’ “Believer,” Selena Gomez’s “Lose You To Love Me”, Justin Bieber’s “Sorry”) which led to a deal with the Warner-distributed Asylum label. She has performed at pride events and HRC galas all over the country and has fans in everyone from Sam Smith and Demi Lovato to Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden.
Connect with Shea Diamond:
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