Recently Midwest BEAT photo editor Niva Bringas had the opportunity to do a photo session with famous model Jillian Ann.
At the "shoot" we grabbed the chance to interview the rising fashion and music star. We discovered a young woman with many moods, methods and thoughts. It quickly became evident that she is much more than another pretty face.
Depth, determination, creativity and complexity are components which make up the persona of this omni-talented artist.
Jillian has an unmistakable devotion to achievement. Her ambitious and creative spirit is quite inspiring. She feels best when composing, performing, or listening to music. It is her driving force. Jillian considers music to be a special language that speaks to the heart and touches the soul. She recalls that even in her early childhood, music had an amazing effect on her life, calming her when she felt restless, it replaced anger or sadness with joy and happiness. As a little girl she felt the calling to become an artist.
Jillian began to develop and sharpen her musical skills by learning and practicing the piano. She regarded her musical ability to be a heavenly gift that must be protected, nurtured, given and shared.
As a young adult, at the age of 18, Jillian had the chance to join the mainstream of the music business. However, she did not accept the offer. At that point, she says, she would have had to compromise herself and her dreams, which would have been too high a price to pay. She feels she would have lost her aspirations as well as her identity as an artist. There is a very ethical artistic approach in Jillian's attitude. This is a very refreshing attribute in today's financially oriented society.
Jillian responded to questions concerning her career choices with considerable maturity. She feels that modeling and music are equally difficult. Modeling, she says, is "very challenging and competitive," although she finds the music industry to be "excessively brutal."
She told how modeling became her stepping-stone into the music world. Modeling afforded her the freedom she needed to develop a music career. Countless hours of work as a fashion, fetish and fine arts model provided Jillian with the funds she needed to purchase expensive music equipment.
After receiving a grant from the New York Foundation for the Arts, Jillian was able to dedicate time to song writing. Her music is actually a unique blend of music styles, it contains elements of pop music but also some avant-garde qualities. Jillian says it could be considered avant-pop.
When questioned about musical influences, Jillian responded with a list of several popular performers. Among her favorites are this month's cover artist -- David Bowie -- along with U2, The Cure, Madonna and others not so well known. She says they have often provided her with inspirations to carry on.
Though restricted to just studio work thus far, Jillian plans to perform before a live audience in the very near future; most likely in New York.
Her new CD -- written, performed and co-produced by Jillian -- is titled Neverland. She says the title is a social statement. Seeing all of the negativity that exists in the world today -- terrorism, fighting, war, sickness, and starvation -- she chose an ironic title.
The CD suggests a "special-safe-place feeling" generating a peace, fun, happy mood. Neverland was made possible when opportunity knocked on Jillian's door in the form of an e-mail from Emperor Penguin Records.
When she was assured of having complete creative freedom, she accepted the offer. Soon Jillian's music will be shared with, and enjoyed, by many music enthusiasts.
The "porcelain doll" -- innocent yet deadly -- look will grab her some attention, but Jillian's beauty is only the surface. Her versatile talents are matched only by her passion and vitality.
Though happy with Neverland, Jillian predicts her next CD will be a move toward a more energetic style of music.
Jillian Ann will surely gain a lot of recognition and admiration in the world of music and entertainment once this strong debut album starts getting the attention from the media and public it deserves.
This month, Midwest BEAT readers can get on board at the ground floor with this rising star and win a copy of Neverland.