Singer, Songwriter, Musician, TV Show Host, Motivational Speaker.
Ria Jade is an 18 year old singer, songwriter, musician, talk show host, and motivational speaker. With a mission to inspire, Ria hosts her own TV show now on its 3rd season, “eveRIAthing”, on SHAW TV/Shaw Multicultural Channel 116.
Ria Jade also founded the Star Experience Songwriting Competition, a successful event that was made to uplift the youth and give talented teens the opportunity to share their music. Apart from having a strong passion for the arts, she’s a big supporter of mental health, anti-bullying and equality. With these advocacies close to her heart, she works on raising awareness and empowering the youth to follow their dreams.
I’m very grateful that, two years ago, Ria Jade interviewed me on “eveRIAthing” and now I finally have the great pleasure to interview her! Below are excerpts of an email interview with Ria.
You’re a singer, musician and motivational speaker, what calling speaks most to your heart?
The calling that speaks most to my heart is being an artist. As an artist, I’m able to express my emotions and my words through painting, writing, playing an instrument, singing, and performing. Motivational speaking to me is also an art. It’s an art in finding the proper ways to paint your inspiration in the canvas of your audience’s minds. Ever since I was little, I felt like I was alive for a reason and that was to inspire and help others. Art has always moved me in one way or another, so that is how I hope to inspire others. I want to inspire them to stay creative and be fearless in expressing themselves.
You just graduated high school, what would you say were your greatest challenges and your greatest successes through your high school years?
My greatest challenge during high school, off the bat, was my senior year. I’m very open about who I am and the things I’ve been through. During senior year, I dealt with a lot of anxiety and anxiety is still something that I battle every day, which is one of the reasons why mental health is one of my advocacies. I think it’s important for people, especially youth, to talk about it openly so that they know they aren’t alone when they’re facing the battle. They should know its okay not to be okay. I dealt with a lot of bullying and fake friendships ever since I was in elementary school, so the social environment in high school was always the hardest thing for me.
I honestly don’t think I would have been able to survive high school if it wasn’t for my amazing teachers and counselors. I think that everyone achieves something great during their high school years, and that for me was learning about who I was and learning about my advocacies. I learned more about who I was going to be rather than who I wanted to be. I think it’s important for teenagers to stay true to themselves and not give in to the thoughts of others around them. Do things because it makes you happy and become the person you want to become, and try your hardest to be better than the person that you were yesterday. Don’t worry about what other people think and you will be happy.
Ria Jade. Photo by Randy Ordinario
“The most important thing that I have learned from the guests that I have interviewed is that time is valuable and that nothing should ever be taken for granted, especially the people who help you.”
– Ria Jade
What role does your family play in your life?
My family plays a very huge role in my life. I was surprised that a lot of kids my age are a little distant from their families. I’m very thankful that my family and I are very close. We are each other’s anchors, best friends, and strongest supporters. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do the things I did or be the person that I am and they have been there every step of the way. We take care of each other and have been through thick and thin together and I love them with all my heart.
What inspired you to start a talk show?
What inspired me to make “eveRIAthing” a talk show was my love to help people and inspire others. I love talking and meeting new people and I love helping people in any way I can, and with a talk show, I can do just that. It’s really fun learning about new people and their journeys and all of my guests have inspired me in one way or another. People always say that the future is in the hands of the next generation and so I want to make sure that before I leave this life, I will be able to leave a legacy that encourages others to create a chain reaction of inspiration. I aspire to inspire.
What is the most important thing that you’ve learned from the guests that you’ve interviewed?
The most important thing that I have learned from the guests that I have interviewed is that time is valuable and that nothing should ever be taken for granted, especially the people who help you. I’ve always believed that gratitude is one of the most important virtues that one should have and it is always good to stay grounded and humble. As they say, the more successful you become, the humbler you should be. All of the guests I’ve met are so incredibly down to earth and I think that is something that is really important.
Season 3 of eveRIAthing will be airing soon! Is there anything that you are particularly excited to share that is coming up in the new season?
Yes! I am super excited about Season 3 of “eveRIAthing.” We just recently moved to a new filming location and I’m in love with it. I hope that our viewers will like it! Like past “eveRIAthing” episodes, we will be having workshops but the new ones that are coming get better and better! We have new challenges, new questions, more events, the fan-favorite improv workshops, and another thing I am super excited about is the journey of The Star Experience winners. Stay tuned!
What is the one thing you’d like to tell your viewers?
I’d like to thank each and every one of them and give them a big hug. I hope one day I can be like Oprah and repay each and every one of you, wherever you are, with bottomless sushi and goodies. For real though, I really am so thankful for each and every one of you. I am so grateful and it doesn’t matter if you are a viewer or if you are someone I have performed with or if you were a mentor, you have made a positive impact and I appreciate that so much and I hope that our show continues to make you smile because I think everyone deserves to be happy. To all my viewers out there, never give up on your dreams. You are twice as beautiful as you will ever believe, twice as wise as you will ever know, and twice as wonderful as you will ever expect. No dream is ever too big to chase. In fact, the bigger, the better. Don’t let anything come in your way. If it feels right, do it. As Confucius once said, ‘it does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.’
