Raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Mikhala Jené grew up surrounded by the arts – spending most of her days in church because her mother was the youth director. At 14-years-old, Mikhala had an angelic encounter through a vivid dream that gave her the confidence to lead a solo in the church choir. She saw herself on stage and in the studio, surrounded by bright lights. It’s an experience she talks about in Annunciation, a track on her 2018 debut EP, Carolina Blues – and it pushed her to begin sharing her gift. Mikhala started out writing songs about finding her destiny and the pursuit of love – what it looks and feels like – especially with yourself. She would also exercise her writing by turning secular melodies into gospel songs. When it came to expanding beyond gospel, she recalls her admiration for Whitney Houston’s power of interpretation through her voice and Mariah Carey’s ability to sing and write her way to the top. Similar to both, Mikhala would write music to aid in the healing journeys of those around her, channeling other people’s hurt, pain, and happiness to craft ballads. In truth, Mikhala does the same today, and continues to finetune her talent and ability to do so.