Shea Diamond is a 41-year-old superstar.
On Thursday Billboard & The Hollywood Reporter held their first ever Pride Summit. Shea Diamond spoke on the emerging artists panel about overcoming the odds in the industry and the power of music.
Her journey didn’t start out like many others.
After running away from her home in Flint, Michigan she was desperate. At just 20 years old she robbed a convenience store at gunpoint. While behind bars, she discoverd music from a different perspective and began to write her own songs.
She said that there were “good acoustics” while in prison.
The star opened up about she is either “highly desired or purely hated for no reason” when she’s living her everyday life. While on the panel, she spoke about being her authentic self and how she expects more from the entertainment industry.
One example she gave was seeming more people of color on the cover of magazines, especially from the trans community. “Put us on your magazine covers,” she said passionately on the panel.
She spoke about how her mom wasn’t supportive of her and her last words to her was that she was “going to hell” and would “die of aids.” This spoke to Shae and she made sure that wouldn’t be the case.
During the event, she made a powerful statement that will surely stay in the minds of many who were in the room.
“When we come into the room we shift things, Color comes into the room,” she said of the LGBTQ community and embracing who she is.
“The American Pie” singer spoke of passion while surrounded by other powerful voices onstage but it was Shae who shined.
