Filed Under: interviews
Maybe you’ve heard the coined term “Directioner” or “Belieber”, respectively referring to the fan-bases of boy band One Direction and “Beauty and A Beat” singer Justin Bieber. The latest support that has emerged and continues following the titling of fan bases is Jillian Jensen, former contestant of X Factor. Her fans? The Jillianators. And those Jillianators were thoroughly upset following the conclusion of last week’s X Factor: the episode in which their beloved Jensen was unfortunately eliminated from the television show. But, as Jensen continuously remarks, “Everything happens for a reason.”
Though saddened because of her run on the show concluding, Jensen ensures that she is certainly not upset with judge Demi Lovato, who continues to inspire Jensen’s strength, but was also the reason for her departure from the show. Fans of Jensen though, beg to differ. Uproar unleashed on the internet after Jensen’s exit was announced, in which various Jilliantors directed vicious remarks at Lovato, proclaiming how blatantly upset they were with her decision. Jensen insists she isn’t upset with Novato: “. If it weren’t for Demi, I wouldn’t at this point in my life. I can’t be upset with her.”
She may no longer be on X Factor, but Jensen has never been one to let struggles get to her: she’s a fighter, she’s strong. Not a stranger to overcoming hardships, Jensen isn’t about to let anything or anyone triumph over her.
The minute I posted on Twitter that we’d be interviewing you – our feed exploded. Did you ever expect to have this overwhelming fan-base surrounding you?
Honestly? No. I always dreamed about having this type of fan-base, but never thought of it as something that’s a possibility. You know, it’s crazy. It’s something you dream of, but once you have it…I’ve just never thought of it as something within my reach.
From what I understand, you’ve always posted how music is your life and how you consider it everything. Does it feel great knowing that this success is finally coming to you?
Yeah, it’s one of those things I was pushing for my whole life. A lot of people say that, but when I tell you it’s my whole life, it’s literally my whole life. Everyday I’m doing something musical: I know instruments, I sing, I write. Music is all I want to do. And it’s so gratifying to finally have the opportunity to do music the rest of my life. It’s so surreal.
What is it about music that makes it have this importance to you? Was it a certain artist or album that drew you in?
I mean, growing I always listened to actually James Taylor and Alanis Morissette. Those were kind of my musical inspirations. Music as a whole…the feeling that I get when I’m listening to music or singing or playing, I just feel alive. You know? It’s like I feel comfort and being on stage is when I feel most comfortable. And it’s just that feeling of feeling whole that music gives me.