I’m using my success to improve the world by shedding attention to crucial issues. In addition to the fact that the majority of my songs have motivational lyrics that address both personal and external issues, I am also deeply committed to speaking up for those who are unable to speak for themselves. For instance, as the Youth Ambassador for the group Unite 4 Good, I recently traveled to the slums of India to empower children. The youth are our future, after all!
As a part of our series about stars who are making an important social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing HITHA.
Award-winning singer, songwriter, teen activist, and recording artist, Hitha, hails from San Francisco, California, and is on a mission to change the world. Hitha is a Youth Ambassador for Unite4:Good and is highly involved with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission on “Self-Reliant India” and “Save and Educate Girls.” These programs help Hitha spread her mission of empowerment echoing the message in her music. Hitha is a young woman with big dreams and the resolve to go after them. She draws encouragement and inspiration from both her family, as well as her life experiences which have helped shape who she is today.
Thank you so much for joining us on this interview series. Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
My Grandma was the sole inspiration behind my music career. By enrolling me in Indian Classical Singing classes, she exposed me to the art. My love for it then developed, and I eventually came to the realization that I also wanted to perform pop music. Until I realized I didn’t want to do anything else, it was more of a hobby at the time than a professional path. At age 11, I wrote my first song, and I haven’t looked back since.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career? What was the lesson or takeaway you took out of that story?
My team and I had a humorous encounter while filming the music video for my song Future in Northeast India. I recall that we had to descend to a location in a valley between two large mountains for a few of the scenes. I was wearing heels and a floor-length dress. And there were only ladders leading down rather than steps. I somehow avoided falling the entire way to the valley. My journey, however, did not finish there! In order to position myself for the music video, I had to retrace my steps up a miniature hill constructed of wet stone. once more in a floor-length gown and high heels. Everyone found the experience amusing except for me.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
I would tell them to follow their hearts. That’s what I did. I discovered my passion and stuck with it. I made the effort because my father always told me that talent plus effort equals skill, skill plus effort equals achievement, and achievement plus effort equals success. Knowing that if I truly enjoyed what I was doing, I would be willing to sacrifice time and resources for it is what propelled me to success.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
My dad is someone who has had a significant influence on my life. I’m among the fortunate few who have a loving family, and without him, I would not be the person I am today, both literally and figuratively. But aside from his support, it was my father who advised that I pursue music. My father once told me that I was fortunate to have a passion that I could make a career out of, and that comment fundamentally changed how I perceived life. Around me, children of immigrants were enrolling in fields like engineering or medicine, while I had the blessed opportunity to devote my life to doing what it is that I loved.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
I’m using my success to improve the world by shedding attention to crucial issues. In addition to the fact that the majority of my songs have motivational lyrics that address both personal and external issues, I am also deeply committed to speaking up for those who are unable to speak for themselves. For instance, as the Youth Ambassador for the group Unite 4 Good, I recently traveled to the slums of India to empower children. The youth are our future, after all!
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
I was raised in the Bay Area suburbs, a fortunate existence for an Indian child with immigrant parents. But every time we traveled to India in the summer, I saw firsthand how difficult life was for children who needed to work in the streets rather than attend school and enjoy their childhood. I knew that I needed to reach out to them somehow. Thanks to my role as Unite 4 Good’s Youth Ambassador, I now have the ideal chance to do so. I was aware of the limitations placed on these children by the resources at their disposal, but even a few encouraging words may go a long way.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
When I put my debut song, Standing Up with Pride, out at the tender age of 13, I had no idea what to do next. Up until I read one comment on the song’s YouTube video, that is. It was written by a young girl my age who, as a result of her disability, was having mental health issues. She claimed nevertheless that just when she was about to give up, she heard my song and was persuaded otherwise. My naive, poorly-written song affected her. She altered my life, just as it did hers. I was aware that the road to becoming a singer was difficult, particularly as a brown girl with immigrant parents. But I would be happy to keep singing if I could make a small difference in just one more life.
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
The only thing I truly want is for people to like my music. I consider everyone when I write it. The fact that my song has made a difference in someone’s life in some manner is the only inspiration I’ll ever need to keep going.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”
- Obsession will always outweigh talent.
- Life is full of give and takes.
- Enjoy every moment because you will never live it again.
- Follow your heart even through the rough patches because that is what you were put on Earth to do.
- Put yourself and your dreams first, no one else will do it for you.
You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I would promote the proper education of children if I could launch any campaign, without bias and prejudice, as well as without propaganda. I am aware that the youth is the future. Only if they learn to advance at an early age will change occur when they start taking on leadership positions around the world. By movement, I mean books and curricula that contain sociology and truthful history in addition to math, science, English, and other subjects. We can’t build a fair and united future if we don’t acknowledge the atrocities of the past.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
I love reading. The Hate U Give is among my favorite books. I recall reading it when it was initially published in 2017. I’ve been thinking about a quote from this book ever since. “Brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you go on even though you’re scared.” I still have a lot of the same fears that I formerly did. Failing, being let down, and making mistakes in front of thousands of people. But I keep in mind that I can’t learn without making mistakes. Without setbacks, I can’t advance. I, therefore, choose to be brave despite my fears.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
AOC, also known as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is someone I’d like to have a private lunch with. She is not just among my greatest role models for the work she performs as a representative, but she is also among my greatest role models for her activism outside of her job. My frequent visits to her Instagram stories help me stay informed about politics and learn more. A more in-depth conversation in person would be amazing!
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring, and we wish you continued success!
Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Hitha Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.