Mikalah Gordon is so much more than an American Idol hit! Having gained recognition through the show, she has worked her way up to where she is right now, a true star! From singing to comedy, Mikalah dabbles in a little bit of everything and she is nothing short of killing it. But what really inspires us here at Jejune is her passion for women and LGBTQ rights, which can easily be seen in her songs and her work on Channel Q. Let Jejune Magazine acquaint you with this sensation as you read more about her life, passions, work, and so much more.

Where are you based?
I am in sunny Los Angeles!

Have you always known, growing up, that you want a career in entertainment? You do a bit of everything; do you have a main focus?
I ALWAYS wanted to be a singer, and I will always be a singer first. Being funny was the only thing that got me out of trouble growing up, so I thought I should keep that around! Lol. But I have been lucky. I have been gifted job opportunities, and always just said YES!

You first started getting recognized from your time on American Idol. Can you tell us a little bit about that experience?
It was a wild experience, but wonderful, and truly the reason I have a career. I was only 16 and looking back, I think you are in such formative years that the criticism and online bullying was hard for me. I actually didn’t sing for 10 years after Idol. That is what makes this album so special.

You host Channel Q’s ‘The Morning Beat’ and World’s Funniest & Weirdest on the CW. Can you tell us a bit about this?
Channel Q is the first national LGBTQ morning show that I host five days a week. It allows me the opportunity to be a voice for my community, women’s rights, and all minorities. It is so special. World’s Funniest is different. It’s so cute and lighthearted. Who doesn’t love seeing hilarious videos!

Not only can you sing, but you are funny! You did a viral portrayal of Melania Trump. What inspired this?
Haha! I did! During the pandemic I just wanted to bring laughter and joy. So, my comedy partner and I decided to play Trump and Melania. We finally aired on Jimmy Kimmel Live. It was so much fun.

Ok, ok, we have to talk about your music! It is amazing!! We love all your songs! They are epic and empowering. What inspires your music?
Thank you!! Honestly, every song represents a huge moment in my life. I just wanted to be very honest with all my feelings, my failures, and my wins. I wanted people to feel heard and seen by my music.

Invincible and Unbreakable have a very similar theme, but both very much have their own identity. Are they from the same inspiration?
They actually were written for a Marvel-themed movie! But I think all my music comes from a place of being strong. No matter what, keep going. Never give up on yourself!

Your new album Vivian is very exciting. Can you tell us the story behind this album? What made you decide to name it after your grandmother?
After my grandmother died, I struggled immensely. I had to go into therapy and work through a lot of things I had never dealt with. My grandma’s death was truly a rebirth for me. She saved my life through my music.

Jejune loves your new song, “Hands Off”. “We are the witches you cannot burn”, love it!! Can you tell us a bit about this song and the music video?
Ahh, you know the words!! Haha it is my favorite lyric. This song is all about taking back your power after abuse, liberating ourselves as women, and not ever allowing anyone to control us or tell us what to do.

”Good Girl” is also a very powerful song. Do you feel this is the story of every girl in the limelight?
I don’t know if it’s EVERY girl. But it is definitely one for my underdogs. And very much my experience on American Idol.

Women certainly had a rough time in this world, and it doesn’t seem to be getting easier – from women losing the rights to their bodies in the US and women being murdered in Iran for not covering up the way the government feels they should. What are your hopes for the future of women?
Ah. My beautiful Iranian sisters. Mahsa Amini. My hope is that women, ALL WOMEN, can be free to make their own choices. Whatever that may be. I want women to know we are a sisterhood. We all stand together.

Any advice for women feeling hopeless during these times?
I have felt hopeless many times in my life. Every feeling is temporary. Good or bad. Just know that the feeling won’t last forever and to lean into it, lean into your feelings. It gets better.

How have you been staying positive through everything crazy going on in the world?
Ugh. You know, I don’t always. That is the most human answer I can give. But, I try to stay very grateful, I love on my people, I receive their love, and I just try to be the best human I can be.

We hear you also hosted the Equality Gala in Vegas. Can you tell us a bit about this?
It was amazing!! I am a huge LGBTQ advocate. Anything I can do for my community, I will! Such a fabulous event!

What is your motto in life?
The time goes by anyway, might as well bravely and fiercely do what you want before it’s over.

To learn more about Mikalah, please follow her via the links below:
www.mikalahgordon.com
Instagram: @mikalahgordon

Photo credit Chris Martin.

Mikalah Gordon - So Much More Than An American Idol