After years away from the spotlight, Stefanie Michaela is embracing a new beginning. Her music, shaped by emotional depth and real-life experiences, reflects a woman who has lived, learned, and returned to her passion with full conviction. In this interview, she discusses the inspirations behind her new work, the challenges of restarting a creative journey, and the message she hopes listeners carry with them: it’s never too late to chase what you love.
WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER, STEFANIE! FOR THOSE DISCOVERING YOUR MUSIC FOR THE FIRST TIME, HOW WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AS AN ARTIST?
I would describe myself as a soulful pop-R&B artist with deep-rooted values in family life, someone who truly puts the meaning of relationships into her lyrics. I want people to understand that I am someone who chooses to balance life and family with my passion for music, using it to enrich my world and make it full.
“ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE” CARRIES A POWERFUL MESSAGE—WHAT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES INSPIRED THIS SONG?
Realizing that I didn’t have to tuck away music for so many years and that it wasn’t over for me was liberating. I just had to wait for the right time to bring it back into my world. Just because we go through experiences doesn’t mean everyone’s path will be the same. Anything is truly possible if you put yourself out there—but timing matters. Life is all about finding the right moment.
YOU TOOK A BREAK FROM MUSIC TO RAISE YOUR FAMILY. HOW DID THAT TIME AWAY SHAPE THE ARTIST YOU ARE NOW?
The time away from music made me realize just how important it is to me. I tell everyone I can’t believe I left music behind for so many years, tucked it away as though it didn’t exist. That was a huge mistake. I tried to fill my life with distractions instead, surrounding myself with unnecessary drama and fillers rather than fully diving into my passion and integrating it into my life. I spent many years raising young children, and I’m still in the thick of it, but now they’re all in school, and I finally have the space to work diligently on creating something for myself. This has truly changed my life, and I have never been happier. Seeing my passion through my children’s eyes is everything, and together we inspire and drive each other to become better humans.
YOUR UPCOMING EP, TURNING PAGES, EXPLORES TRANSFORMATION AND SELF-BELIEF. WHAT DO YOU HOPE LISTENERS TAKE AWAY FROM IT?
I hope this EP inspires others to pursue what they truly believe in and to remember that nothing is impossible if you make a few changes along the way. Why not explore the new version of yourself at each stage of life? You never know what gems you may discover within. I never imagined that later in life I would finally find the authenticity of the voice I’ve been searching for my entire life. Now, I am at a place of truly accepting who I am, embracing all the imperfections that come with it.
YOU COLLABORATED WITH STEVE DORFF AND MICHAEL JAY, BOTH ICONS IN SONGWRITING. WHAT WAS THAT CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE?
Working with such legends was incredibly intimidating, yet I was deeply grateful to have them by my side to create a melody that truly reflects my story. This song can be interpreted in so many ways and resonate with countless people across different walks of life. Collaborating with Steve and Michael was a dream come true. Not only did we create a beautiful piece of art, but the experience in the studio was effortless and joyful. That natural flow is exactly what you hope for in such an intimate setting, because telling a story you’re so passionate about requires complete vulnerability.
HOW DID WORKING WITH GRAMMY-WINNING PRODUCER KEITH THOMAS INFLUENCE THE SOUND AND DIRECTION OF YOUR NEW MUSIC?
Keith knows that I’m a very ‘90s R&B girl. He brings out the depth and sound that I’m truly passionate about. I consider myself an extremely emotional singer, and when I sing, I tend to get wrapped up in the words. I’m really working on shortening my phrasing to make everything clearer and more concise, and that’s where Keith helps me. He keeps me on track and helps create pieces that are strong, yet classic and emotional.
WAS THERE A PARTICULAR MOMENT OR TURNING POINT THAT MADE YOU COMMIT TO RETURNING TO MUSIC?
When I was offered the opportunity to get back in the studio and help an LA producer with their library, doing demo work and writing, I realized I couldn’t believe I had left music for so many years. I had to keep reminding myself that it simply wasn’t my time back then, and that I wasn’t surrounding myself with trustworthy people. Now, I’m finally in a place where I have a team I can truly trust, which has allowed me to let down my walls and be the creative artist I’ve always wanted to be.
WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE WHILE RESTARTING YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY, AND HOW DID YOU WORK THROUGH THEM?
I think the biggest challenge right now is feeling like people think it’s too late to do what you love. I’ve had people come up to me saying, “Wow, I can’t believe you don’t care what people think,” and that catches me off guard because it’s not about that—it’s about doing what I love. I don’t believe people should be judging others for following their passions. They should go out and do what they love, and maybe then they’d judge less.
I don’t really understand people putting others down when they could be spending that energy bettering themselves. The hardest part for me is reminding myself to stay in my lane, like my other single says, and to focus on the end goal: creating music, continuing to be happy in my lane, and raising my family to understand the importance of having a passion and a goal. All the outside noise doesn’t matter. I keep my circle very small, and that’s all that truly matters to me. That’s all that should matter to others—stay in your lane.
HOW HAS YOUR FAMILY SUPPORTED OR INFLUENCED YOUR COMEBACK IN THE MUSIC WORLD?
With the support of my husband, I’ve been driven to become the best version of myself. He has finally seen the artist I am, not the hidden artist who had been tucked away for so long. It wasn’t until I returned to music that he truly realized how much this means to me and how much I needed it. I’m so grateful for his support on this journey, alongside my parents, who have always been my biggest fans. Without them and their encouragement, embracing this new version of myself wouldn’t be possible.
AS YOU STEP INTO THIS NEW CHAPTER, WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU WANT “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE” TO LEAVE WITH YOUR LISTENERS?
I truly hope that people hear this song and can apply it to anything going on in their lives—whether it’s their career, taking a risk in a relationship, or anything they’re doubting. I hope they see that this has always been my dream. I have been a singer-songwriter my entire life and a performer who thrives on stage, feeding off the energy of the audience. That is what fulfills my life and keeps it whole: family and music.
Anything is truly possible. If you open yourself up to something you love, allow yourself to fall, and get back up again, you’ll never know what you can achieve if you don’t take risks. I want people to take risks and see the outcome.
