Naomi Jane Releases New Single "Little Miss" on Empowerment and Self-Acceptance

“I believe that in today’s society, discussions about empowerment and self-acceptance are vital as individuals navigate societal pressures and expectations. Songs like ‘Little Miss’ contribute to these conversations by providing a platform for young people to relate to and find strength in their own experiences,” says singer and songwriter Naomi Jane about her new self-written single that deals with a very personal story related to those topics. Along with ‘Pretty Boys‘ and ‘Grown Ups,’ it is part of a trilogy of singles that will be on her anticipated EP release at the end of summer 2024. Additionally, “Little Miss” has reached the finals of the International Songwriting Competition. Besides her thriving pop-career Naomi can be seen on Broadway stages and iconic music venues and she is currently performing as Kathy in the musical “Singing in the Rain.”

In our interview, we discuss her wish that girls should uplift each other instead of putting each other down, her engaging songwriting process, and about love being the most powerful thing in the world.

Photography and Cinematography by Calli Cohen and Mrs. Makaveli Media

In your new single “Little Miss,” you draw from personal challenges. Can you share more about this?

I used to live in a posh town on the east coast. It was, let’s say, a competitive place. Both kids and adults put each other down to make themselves feel imperios or overall better. Through their common share of jealousy and greed, other people’s success was a threat to their own ego. I especially struggled with that. I had several guy friends, I always related to them easier than the girls. So at one point two guys had crushes on me and even though it was completely out of my control that they liked me, some girls painted me as this “man-stealing” villain. They called me derogatory terms to basically shame me for just existing. Thus… “Little Miss” and at the time it really hurt me, this song is about overcoming that.

Your music often discusses themes of empowerment and self-acceptance. How do you think your songs contribute to conversations about these themes in today’s society?

I believe that in today’s society, discussions about empowerment and self-acceptance are vital as individuals navigate societal pressures and expectations. Songs like “Little Miss” contribute to these conversations by providing a platform for young people to relate to and find strength in their own experiences. By portraying a narrative of defiance and self-assurance, this song encourages listeners to embrace their authenticity and reject societal judgments. In doing so, it fosters a sense of empowerment and promotes self-acceptance, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and supportive society.

And how do you decide which themes to explore in your music?

Writing music is a form of therapy and it has given me a voice when the world was trying to silence it. I pick my themes to explore in my music based on what I’m going through. With “Little Miss”, I was struggling with accepting myself. Due to constant bullying, I thought I was the problem. However, while composing my problems into a melody, I realized that I am not the problem…they are! I learned that girls shouldn’t be putting each other down, they should be lifting each other up.

“I look forward to all the learning curves in this long journey ahead of me. As an artist, I am eager to push my musicianship and songwriting.”

Can you describe your creative process? How do you go from an idea to a finished song?

If I’m being honest, my creative process is changing constantly. Depending on the idea, which could either be a personal story or someone else’s, I usually either start at the beginning of the story (the first verse) or the main theme (the chorus). A process that has always worked for me in plucking out random chords on a piano and then rambling nonsense on top to create some sort of melody. When I feel confident with my melody, I add lyrics, usually with the help of RhymeZone (not sponsored). It could take from 15 minutes to several months just for me to finish a song. Like I said earlier, it varies with the idea, the melody, and what time of day it is. For example, I feel I write better at night so I might finish a song faster than I would in the morning.

With a trilogy of singles leading up to an end-of-summer EP, what can fans expect from these upcoming releases?

Fans should be prepared to be swept away with an arching storyline that is multifaceted. They will see so many different sides of myself and my music from – different themes to different sounds and so much more! From the trilogy to the end-of-summer EP – lots of fun secrets revealed. I really believe there’s a song for everyone and I am so excited about what I have created.

During my research for this interview, you are often referred to as the new pop sensation. Do you find it an honor to be described in this way, or does it also place pressure on you?

It is for sure an honor to be considered a “sensation” at such a young age. For years, I’ve been putting in the work. I’ve worked hard since I was little, real little. My mom would always tell my teachers and me that we weren’t looking for a fast/instant career but that I was in it for the long haul. I do believe that there is a pressure that comes with such high praise. You feel that you must be perfect and write good songs. However; it is with the mistakes you make – the lessons you learn. That is how you grow as an artist. Again, that title is an honor but I recognize I have so much more to learn and grow as an artist.

“I am such a hopeful, not hopeless, romantic. I have been in love with love before I knew what it was. I believe love is the most powerful thing in the world.”

Everyone continues to evolve, constantly learning and teaching throughout their lives. As both an artist and an individual, what aspects of yourself are you eager to develop further?

I look forward to all the learning curves in this long journey ahead of me. As an artist, I am eager to push my musicianship and songwriting. I am always experimenting with new chord progressions and styles. I play multiple instruments and I look forward to expanding my electric guitar and saxophone skills. Only being 15, I have so much more life to live and more challenges to face. I’m beyond eager for it all.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years both musically and personally?

In the next 5 years, I see major success in my music career. I see myself going to college and majoring in music to further my learning. Maybe even, if I become successful before then, I’ll take independent study courses in college and focus mainly on my career like Olivia Rodrigo is.

The most important thing in life is…?

Love. I am such a hopeful, not hopeless, romantic. I have been in love with love before I knew what it was. I believe love is the most powerful thing in the world.