Gina Naomi Baez is on our radar because she has a knack for putting a spin on holiday music. You may have seen her Youtube music video “Lizzo’s Truth Hurts x Hocus Pocus” that went viral, Lizzo and Bette Midler both sharing and reacting to the comedic parody, as well as another popular (and timely) music video inspired by Hocus Pocus called “I’ll Put a Mask on You”. Now, Gina is sharing her new single, “Christmas Candlelight” just in time for the winter holiday season. Outside of her music career, Gina gives back through a non-profit (which she started) called Kids Performing Who Kare. We’re big fans of Gina and we think you will be too — please keep reading for a dose of holiday cheer and to learn more about Gina below.

Where are you based?
I am based right now in New York, New York.

There are so many facets to your work. You’re an actress, singer/songwriter, YouTuber and influencer. How did you get started down this path? What do you think is the main connection between all these different areas of your life?
I got started singing, acting and dancing when I was very little. I fell in love with performing. I think the main connection between all of the facets of my work is creativity and artistry.

You have to bring so much innovative and artistic energy to all of these different creative outlets. What and/or who keeps you inspired?
What keeps me inspired is my drive. Ever since I had and survived cancer, I’ve always had this drive to do what I love. This is what I love and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We know that you have experience with off-broadway productions in your repertoire as well. What challenges are there in the various types of performances that you do? What differences do you find between filming Youtube videos, recording songs, and performing live?
Live theater productions are incredible. The process, the feeling, and experience are like no other. I find the biggest difference between live theater and youtube/recording songs is that with my YouTube and Recording I am in control of every aspect. I am the writer, I am the performer, I am the editor and creator. I have to trust in my artistic self, put it out there, and see if someone likes it.

Is there one type of performing that you enjoy the most?
Out of everything, performing live is by far what I enjoy most.

We would love to know more about your “holiday” music! Let’s start by turning back time to talk about your “Lizzo’s Truth Hurts x Hocus Pocus” parody music video that went viral in October this year, just in time for Halloween. When you uploaded the video to Youtube, did you expect it to be such a success? What was your reaction when Lizzo and Bette Midler reacted to your “Lizzo’s Truth Hurts x Hocus Pocus” parody?
Truth Hurts x Hocus Pocus was one of those videos that I thought of, wrote, recorded and edited in just a few days. When I uploaded it I was really excited to share it with the world, but I had no expectation for it to take off the way it did. It was this wild snowball effect that kept growing and growing. Then one evening, I was in Soho manhattan attending an influencer event when my phone started to blow up and I saw LIZZO reposted my video and song, I freaked out and started dancing in the street literally in Soho. Then a few days later i was performing at a benefit in NYC and the reception just started, my phone started blowing up again and Bette Midler had done the same. My director and cast members of the benefit started freaking out with me. It was just a crazy moment in time that I will never forget.

We love that you took it a step further and brought back these characters to help encourage mask wearing. We at Jejune wish you could really zap masks on people! Can you tell us a little bit about this new take on our Hocus Pocus favorites?
The I PUT A MASK ON YOU Hocus Pocus parody was an idea I came up with for Halloween 2020. It was a year since “Truth Hurts x Hocus Pocus “and I wanted to bring Winifred Sanderson back for 2020 somehow. I then thought if the witch could use her powers for good and also send a subliminal message, that would be amazing. So I started writing and brainstorming and “I Put a Mask on You” was born!

You have a new Christmas single out called “Christmas Candlelight.” Can you walk us through what inspired the song? What sort of message do you hope your audience takes away from it? What do you feel the importance of the holiday is?
Christmas Candlelight was written with the idea to not feel lonely this holiday season. It is a song of hope. I hope the listener gets a sense of relief and comfort from the song. I think the importance of the Holiday season is to be thankful and grateful for what you do have.

In Christmas Candlelight you sing, “Keep it simple, maybe even unplug /This year we’ll make new traditions”. Do you have any “new traditions” that you want to start during the holidays this year?
I think everyone will be starting a new tradition in a sense in 2020. My new tradition is just to remind myself to be grateful and that less is a lot of ways is more.

With practicing social distancing and various shelter in place models across the United States and the world, many people will not be able to experience the same “holiday magic” that they are used to this time of year. What are your thoughts for people who are traveling during the Holidays, despite rising dangers due to the pandemic? What are ways that you think people can stay positive in the midst of chaos or disappointment?

I hope that everyone during the holidays thinks first, prepares, and stays safe while traveling. People can stay positive by reminding themselves this might feel permanent but it is temporary and we will get through this.

Jejune loves that you founded a non-profit for kids with cancer called Kids Performing Who Kare. Can you tell us more about the story behind Kids Performing Who Kare? What sort of positive impact do you see with kids who get to participate in Kids Performing? Do you have any specific stories that come to mind that keep you motivated and inspire you?
Kids Performing Who Kare was started when I was 12 years old going through chemotherapy treatment. I wanted to put on a show and raise money for children’s cancer. It then became an annual tradition, a project that went on to raise over $500,000 for children’s cancer. We did musicals and concerts throughout the tri-state New York area.

What sort of positive impact do you see with kids who get to participate in Kids Performing?
Kids Performing Who Kare not only gave kids and teens an opportunity to be apart of the arts, but also the opportunity to give back through the arts. To know that they are performing to actually help other kids their age who have a deadly illness.

During COVID and shelter in place, many extra-curriculars have been canceled for children or moved digitally. Are you still doing work during quarantine with Kids Performing? Have you been able to find alternative ways to continue giving back?
I plan on doing a live solo Christmas concert to raise money for childhood cancer. Kids Performing Who Kare itself has been on a small hiatus, but I have plans of what to do with Kids Performing Who Kare hopefully in the year 2021.

What will we see from you next? Any special projects we should be on the lookout for in 2021?
In 2021, I plan to release my 2nd EP, the feature film Triple Threat where I play the role of Laura will be released, and I also plan to create some more powerful videos and projects.

To learn more about Gina Naomi Baez, please follow her via the below platforms:
www.ginanaomibaez.com
Instagram: ginanaomibaez
Twitter: gina_naomi_baez
Facebook: GinaNaomiBaezFans
TikTok: ginanaomibaez
Youtube: ginanaomimusic

Photography credit LPR Agency.

Gina Naomi Baez Shares Some Christmas Candlelight