Editor’s Note: Earlier this year, SWT introduced Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Stefanie Michaela via a premiere of the music video for her song “Found In You”. She has continued to release new songs this year, leading up to theย spring release of her latest EP,ย Turning Pages, including the recent single “Anything Is Possible”.
You can watch the music video below:
A press release for the song describes it as a “fearless statement about resilience, belief, and second chances…the singleโs message, ‘believe to achieve,’ captures the heart of Stefanieโs story: that the real magic begins when you trust yourself enough to try.”
It was co-written with Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Steve Dorff (Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Celine Dion) and multi-platinum hitmaker Michael Jay (Martikaโs โToy Soldiers,โ Celine Dionโs “Falling Into You”), and produced by Grammy-winner Keith Thomas (Selena, Amy Grant, Vanessa Williams).
“Stefanieโs journey is one of perseverance, a lifelong artist who paused her career to raise her family and whoโs now returning to music with a renewed sense of purpose,” the press release continues. “Her upcoming EP, Turning Pages, explores themes of self-belief, transformation, and chasing dreams no matter the odds.”
Below, she pens an exclusive essay for SWT about her love for creating music and her current balance between life and music.
Because of everything I went through in the music industry, I never truly thought Iโd reach a place where I could get married, have a family, and still incorporate music into my life while actually feeling whole.
For a long time, I felt lost. I knew something was missing, so I tried to fill the void with day-to-day activities like lunches, workout classes, and organizing things at home, but none of that satisfied the passion I was missing. Deep down, I knew that to be happy again, I would have to dig deep within myself, and honestly, that was a scary thought.
Iโve learned that sometimes things fall into place when you least expect them. Thatโs what happened to me. An opportunity came along, and I had to make a choice: either take the leap or say that my music career had ended years ago. Part of me didnโt want to go back because I didnโt want to experience the same hurt Iโd felt before.
But I decided to take the chance. The moment I stepped back into the studio, it felt like I had never left. Something inside me lit up again, and for the first time in a long time, I felt whole.
Iโve never been happier to blend my passion for music with my personal life. It has brought a new kind of love into my marriage and given me more to share with my children. They can now see that passions never truly go away; you just have to nurture them instead of letting them fade, as I once did. I used to believe I had to let music go completely, and that was a mistake. I missed out on years of creativity and fulfillment, but I believe everything happens for a reason. This is my time to feel again, to be exactly where Iโm meant to be.
Iโm now in what I call my comeback era, the new Stefanie Michaela journey. Not the baby Stefanie Michaela, but the woman I am now: someone with life experience, past relationship struggles, and countless stories to share through my music. I want people to see that itโs never too late to chase your dreams. No matter what stage of life youโre in, you can always start again and feel alive, like youโve hit the reset button.
I have several singles out now and plan to release my EP in the spring. My goal is to perform as much as possible and connect with others through song and shared experience. I want to show the world that no one is perfect, not in how they look, act, or live, and thatโs what makes us human.
Right now, I feel like the best version of myself. I donโt want to waste my days worrying about my looks or my body, as I once did when I felt I didnโt meet certain standards. Instead, I want to embrace who I am, give everything Iโve got, and put it all out into the world. Because in the end, itโs about me, my family, and the love and passion I get to share with them, and now, with the world.
Anything is possible if you believe in yourself and set realistic expectations. For a long time, I held myself to impossible standards, but Iโve learned that small milestones bring the greatest joy. What Iโve accomplished in the past few years, things I never thought possible, has made me so proud. And feeling proud of yourself is an incredible thing.
Working with legends like Steve Dorff, Michael Jay, and producer Keith Thomas has been a dream come true. Creating a song that brings my story to life is every artistโs dream. This song is magical, inspirational, and filled with hope. Itโs a reminder to never get stuck in routine. When you bring your passion into your days, life becomes more vibrant. Your moments, your conversations, even your confidence all grow stronger.
I hope this new song reaches peopleโs hearts and inspires them to find what makes their lives more meaningful. I truly canโt wait to share it with the world.
Stefanie Michaela
Contributor
Stefanie is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles
