Destiny Malibu is an all American, multi-cultural, bilingual singer, songwriter, musician and podcaster.
Destiny is Instagram verified and is best known as a Pop Singer specializing in high-energy genre-blending music who is an American Idol Alum, performs at schools across the US and is currently performing multiple dates in Las Vegas. Destiny’s sound is similar to artists like Arianna Grande, Ellie Golding and Iggy Azalea.
As a public figure, how do you think being hailed as a role model impacts others and what pressure does it put on you?
I feel very blessed to have an incredibly supportive community of fans and followers. At times it is a lot of pressure, but it is also an incredible honor to inspire others. If I could inspire a movement, it would be to learn how to truly love yourself. I think the root of many issues in life and struggles come from a place of negative self talk and not truly knowing ourselves. I think spending time alone and learning how to be your own best friend is incredibly medicinal. Learning your likes and dislikes, and pampering yourself like you would a friend or romantic partner you truly love is a life changing experience. So many of us go through life with an inner dialogue of bullying ourselves which brings nothing but sadness to our experience of life. Always strive to be the best you can be but don’t beat yourself up. I used to talk extremely negatively to myself and once I got into the habit of treating myself the way I would someone I truly love, my whole life changed. I think self love is one of the first steps to healing and I believe every person should gaze into their own eyes in the mirror every morning and say “I love you”.
Can you tell us about a time when you almost gave up, how you felt about that, and what you did instead of giving up?
I think it’s really important for every entrepreneur to remember Success Does Not Happen Overnight. I have been working on my brand for many years and I am really just starting to see the fruit of my labor. There have been many nights in my career that I spent crying myself to sleep wondering if anyone cared about my music and all the time I put into it. When I’ve had those days where I felt like giving up, I let myself cry as much as I need to, and then I wipe those tears away and remind myself why I started. I love music, I love how it can help people heal, and I love how it brings people together. I have an album saved on my phone of all the messages from fans saying how much my music means to them and I re-read those messages on hard days. What is meant for you will be yours. The people meant to hear your music will hear it. I have built up an incredibly loving and amazingly supportive fanbase over the years, and every single stream means the world to me. Thank you to my angels for believing in me and my music for all these years.
How did you find your definition of success? What is it?
Success Is Subjective. When I was really little, I dreamed of performing with the likes of Justin Biber, Maroon 5 and Rihanna. While that still could happen, and that would be absolutely amazing, I also realize that you don’t need to be a Top 100 artist to be successful. Thanks to social media, there are so many people you can reach with your music and message and if it happens great. If it doesn’t that’s okay too because part of the journey in life is doing what you love to do and I am doing just that- enjoying every minute. I look at my career so far and I am very honored and humbled by what we have accomplished, what we have done, concerts we’ve had at high schools, colleges, Singapore, overseas, American Idol, touring across the USA, my new Destiny Malibu Podcasts, my partnerships with multiple companies including the American Heart Association and currently Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Seriously, what more can a girl like me -ask for? I am so so grateful for every opportunity to do what I do including this interview. Thank you. Thankful for, every stream, every message, every fan, and every opportunity to make a positive difference and I plan to continue to do so with my art, music, concerts and podcast as long as the opportunities are available and I am able.
Where did you get your entrepreneurial spirit from?
My mom was in a successful Latin girl group in her teens called “Pares y Nones” which later became known as “Rio Lento”. Some of my earliest memories include watching my mom record in the studio. Being immersed in that environment allowed me to fall in love with music at a very young age. I started learning guitar at nine years old, and I wrote my first song at that time called “A Million Kisses”. I home schooled for a couple of years and then started going to middle school in Malibu in 7th Grade. I entered the talent show and performed this song, A million kisses, acoustically. I was honored to receive a standing ovation and I remember for weeks students coming up to me for saying “my parents said you’re going to be famous one day!”. It felt so comforting to know at such a young age that not only my family believed in me, but also my community.
Who is your greatest support when facing up hardships in business?
Most definitely my family and particularly my mom. She has been and continues to be such an incredible mentor for me in entertainment. She is also my manager and she is constantly working on my brand and looking for valuable opportunities and partnerships. My sister — shout out to DJ Dezzee, will tell you she is my “biggest fan” and tours with me as DJ Dezzee. My dad- has been such an anchor and the technical manager from filming the podcasts, doing the soundboard and driving the tour bus when necessary. It’s definitely a family team and I know I wouldn’t have gotten this far without them. Their support literally is everything and I love them so much.
What would be a good theme song for your life?
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis. Elvis has inspired me so much and I think this really is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
I absolutely love the show “New Girl”. It’s actually one of the only shows I’ve ever watched all seasons of multiple times. It’s my happy place. Anytime I’m feeling like I need something to cheer me up, that’s my go to show. It always makes me laugh no matter how many times I’ve seen the episodes. I also love “Parks & Recreation”.
Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?
This is honestly a really tough question because I absolutely adore both. I think Dragons are basically dinosaurs though that can also fly and breathe fire… so I’m going to have to say Dragons haha.
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
There will be other artists like you, but no one can be YOU. I think sometimes when you become aware of the overwhelming talent that is out there in the world, as a young impressionable artist, it can be easy to fall into the idea that you are “not good enough” or “not as good as someone else”. I definitely had moments like that in my life, but the truth is that every artist brings something unique to the table simply because there’s only ONE you in the world. People can have similar styles, and similar looks and there are a limited number of genres, but no one will ever be able to replicate your exact artistry, words, lyrics, compositions, personality, energy, mission, gifts, and life experiences that help you create your art. Do not fall into the trap of comparing yourself to other artists or other people in general. Stand confidently in the fact that you are one of a kind. You are uniquely you.
You are a new addition to a crayon box. What color would you be and why?
I honestly have a different favorite color every week but I will say that my top 3 colors are hot pink, royal blue, and lilac purple. I wear those colors more than anything else and if I had to choose one, I would say purple because blue and pink mixed together create purple, so I get the best of both worlds haha.
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