In the summer of 2020, Chelsey Ann, a.k.a. Chelsey Kucera, was going through a mental health crisis when she wrote “She Is Brave,” but the tune ended up becoming her “mantra during that time period,” the singer exclusively tells GRAZIA USA.
“I’m not sure what exactly inspired me. I was just messing around on my guitar one day and what needed to come out of me that day did. After I wrote the song, I sang it to help me get started with my day,” she continues.
The country star has struggled with anxiety and depression disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder and PTSD for most of her life. In June 2020, she hit a breaking point and attempted to take her own life. She then went to a mental health rehabilitation center where she was able to find herself again, which is how “She Is Brave” was born. “I now view this song as an uplifting, empowering song for all women,” she notes. “Since releasing the song so many women have opened up to me about their struggles and how this song has helped them as well. There’s no better feeling than someone else resonating with your music and feeling like you made a difference in their life.”
These days, the blonde beauty is candid about discussing issues that people are going through because “there are so many misconceptions around these topics,” she explains. “For instance, before I opened up about this, no one had any idea how bad I was feeling on the inside. They would say things to me like, ‘You’re such a calm person’ and ‘You seem like you have it all together,’ when in fact I was falling apart and riddled with anxiety. You never know what someone is going through on the inside and if you’re like me you’re really good at masking it.”
She adds, “By being open about my life and struggles I hope to help people feel less alone. If they are going through a situation where they need help, I hope by myself being vulnerable that they will find the strength to be vulnerable as well and seek help. I feel like we’ve come far in the past couple of years, but I think if we continue to be open with one another and willing to help those around us who are hurting we will continue to do so.”
Now, the songwriter uses music “as a form of therapy in some ways,” she says. “Putting my emotions into song helps me exert my anxious energy and come back to my body. I always feel lighter after a writing session.”
She adds, “My favorite part about being in the music industry is making connections with people. As songwriters we become very vulnerable with each other, and I think it is truly something special. The people I’m around are constantly inspiring me.”
As for what’s next, Chelsey is “working on writing an EP,” which she hopes to release in the fall of next year. “My biggest goal is simple, to keep creating music, stay happy, and help those along the way that I can,” she states. “There are many different artists I would love to work with, but my dream top two are Shania Twain and Colbie Caillat.”
