James Reid believes in the power of vulnerability
One may be inclined to think the concept of a multiverse is especially applicable to public figures, as there exist multiple versions of them in our universe alone.
Such is the catch-22 of being known so much that nobody knows you at all—when your story is speculated upon by millions of people, how do you keep track of the truth? How do you take back your story when it’s been written for you?
James Reid is attempting to figure it out, returning to music as a way to rediscover himself. In the process of writing Hurt Me Too, the kickoff single to Reid’s new sound, he found healing and catharsis in being vulnerable with himself.
In a conversation with The Philippine STAR, Reid opens up about life in the spotlight, staying true to what he feels, and how he found his truth in music.
In the process of writing Hurt Me Too, his latest single, Reid found healing and catharsis in being vulnerable with himself.
THE PHILIPPINE STAR: Hurt Me Too is earnestly personal and vulnerable, which is interesting since you wrote the lyrics for it three years ago. What was your writing process like? Did working with Seth Reger as co-lyricist change your approach to lyricism?
JAMES REID: Writing the song with Seth was a turning point in how I approached writing. It became more conversational and about the overall message versus freestyling and finding lyrics that fit the melody.
I’ve learned my strength as an artist, even as a person, has been through expressing myself and letting my emotions take their course.
This was a result of just talking for hours about life, love, and heartbreak before even starting any melodies. We went into themes I usually don’t write about or feel comfortable writing about because of how showbiz shaped me. It’s scary being transparent or vulnerable, especially when so many people criticize and distort my words and actions to fit their preferences. However, this writing process allowed me to be true to myself and the music. It was cathartic to turn hardship and pain into understanding and growth. That’s what healing is to me.
You worked with many collaborators: Seth, Timothy Run as producer, and Elena Virata for the visuals. What was it like sharing and working on something relatively more personal?
It was very encouraging. They worked very hard on the music and the visuals to make sure the message of the song was intact and pushed for only the best creative output it deserved. The best part was watching how they were able to align to the vision of the song and bring out their own interpretations which fit perfectly, from the music production to the visual storytelling. I think that’s what happens when a song really resonates with people. The song becomes about the listener, not the singer.
The pre-chorus was emotionally packed, which seems to reference your experience of being constantly perceived by millions of people given the interesting trajectory your career has taken. How has it been like sharing so much of yourself with the public? Is there anything you’d change in retrospect?
Nothing really. It is what it is, and it brought me to where I am today. But if I’ve learned anything from this experience, you need to learn to live up to your own expectations of yourself. Not anyone else’s. Don’t let anyone stop you from becoming who you want to be. And never say sorry for being honest.
Did having a public/external persona affect how you process your internal life? How does music help you in this regard? How does it help you understand and channel your emotions, especially in an industry where what you say tends to get a life of its own?
Yes, it did. I learned to numb myself and my emotions so I wouldn’t get so affected by the bashing, insensitive opinions, and invasive questions. This got in the way of my creative process for a long time. So my lyrics leaned into escapism. But the challenge of writing songs eventually helped me be more vulnerable again, and be more me.
What is it about music that you find so emotionally freeing and cathartic?
I love how listening to music has the power to alter your state of mind, and how making music has the power to alter your state of heart. What used to be a sad memory can become a happy understanding.
To you, what is the power of vulnerability? Do you believe it’s inherently valuable, especially in an industry built on appearances?
Its value is in being able to be vulnerable with yourself. As a man, we’re often told to ‘man up’ and end up sweeping our emotions under the rug. But I’ve learned my strength as an artist, even as a person, has been through expressing myself and letting my emotions take their course so we can learn from them and give people a chance to understand me by letting them in. It’s funny how I’ve realized that my highest goals in life stem from my deepest insecurities.
Do you sometimes clamor for control over your own public perception? Being a songwriter, does music help you take back some of that control?
That’s why I became a songwriter in the first place. When I was acting, the characters I played were designed for my audience to love, which made living up to their standards in real life a challenge. But my music was me. Don’t get me wrong, I also loved acting, but music was the creative outlet I needed to really discover myself.
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James Reid’s latest single Hurt Me Too is out now in all major streaming platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.