The year 2020 has been difficult. Despite its many challenges, vibrant Pop singer, bestselling author, and YouTube influencer Gabbie Hanna made the most of it.
Popularly and colorfully documenting her life and career in sincere, entertaining videos, Gabbie put her thoughts on paper in her New York Times bestselling poetry book “Dandelion”. Just as poetic musically, her EP Bad Karma hit #1 on iTunes Pop Album Chart and its single “Shut Me Up” was one the best songs and, of course, videos of the year.
Gabbie shared some of her time with us by answering THIS questionnaire about her life in 2020 and what to expect from her in 2021.
How would you summarize 2020?
A reset, both culturally and personally.
I think this year has really woken a lot of people up to what really matters to them and where they should be directing their energy. Whenever people are at their lowest, it’s an opportunity to rebuild. I’m hopeful that this is the moment that we as a planet come back stronger and create a more equal, more sustainable future.
Which of your blessings would you say was the biggest?
I would say the people that have entered my life in the last year or two have made my life the happiest it’s ever been. Being in a city like LA, sometimes it’s hard to find your people; it’s also hard to figure out who’s genuine and who’s interested in what you can offer them.
My support system is the most amazing group of authentic, compassionate, generous people I’ve ever known, and I can’t imagine my life without them. They are for sure the most important and biggest blessing in my life. I’d trade everything else to keep them.
Did you read any good books that you would recommend to others?
Let me be honest: 2020 wasn’t a big year for reading for me, so I’ll recommend my favorite author, Chuck Palahniuk. Start with “Invisible Monsters” or “Choke.” He’s also the author of “Fight Club” so if you’re a fan of the movie, check out the book! He writes in a really poetic and interesting way, and his concepts always blow me away. Super creative and unique author who inspires me a ton.
What was the best song of the year?
I can’t pick one, don’t do that to me. I feel like this is the year that so many artists truly found themselves and expressed it fully for the first time. Miley, Selena, Taylor, Justin, Shawn, Dua, The Weeknd… They’re all putting out their best and most expressive work.
Rap is also getting to be so fun again thanks to DaBaby, Meg, Doja and Rico. Some personal favorites of 2020 are “Anyone” by Demi Lovato and “30” by Badflower.
What were the movies or television shows that you couldn’t stop watching?
I’m a reality TV junkie. Love Island, Too Hot to Handle, Love is Blind, The Bachelorette, Welcome to Plathville … just to name a few. Little Fires Everywhere hooked me in, too. Standout movies were Palm Springs, Don’t F**k with Cats, and an array of murder documentaries way too late at night.
Who were the artists you listened to the most?
No matter the year, Queen will always be on my most-played. Blackbear and Panic! at the Disco are always up there, too. Creeper’s entire album Sex, Death & the Infinite Void is on repeat for me. Dermot Kennedy is so underrated, really looking forward to his soon-to-come explosion onto the music scene.
What did you Google the most?
Mostly questions about cats.
Tell us the most surprising thing you heard all year.
Cats don’t chew their food.
Where were you when you learned about COVID-19 and how did you respond?
I genuinely don’t remember. I think in the beginning, no one was really sure if it was real or not – or the level of severity – so when I heard about some possible flu-like sickness, I don’t think it impacted me right away enough to etch it into my memory. I remember getting the news about the lockdown a couple weeks in, sitting in my living room with my best friend. Hugging her goodbye was weird and surreal— I was used to seeing her almost every day and all of a sudden I wasn’t sure when I’d see her again. Or if we would get sick and what that would mean. I remember the apocalyptic feeling of knowing nothing would ever be the same and that all our lives were changing forever.
How were you helped and hurt by the pandemic?
I recognize my privilege in the fact that I was able to find ways to continue working, I have a comfortable home, I don’t have kids to teach or provide for, I’m young and well; all in all, the changes to my life were mostly inconveniences. Recording music from home, shooting music videos from home, not seeing my friends— all things I learned to live with.
One of the biggest impacts was not being able to go to the gym. That’s a really important part of my day in terms of socialization, mental health and, obviously, physical health. I really struggled trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle when I was so comfortable with the routine I had grown to love.
On the upside, I found that being forced to stay inside made me pretty damn productive. I was able to do all the projects I had been putting off, I made and released my EP BAD KARMA, I finished and released my book, “Dandelion”, I put out two singles, I organized my closets (read: my life).
It also really forced me to relax and live in the moment, to raise kittens, to enjoy my loved ones. I feel like I really found myself as a person and as an artist and discovered real, genuine happiness. When your interactions are limited, you learn which ones you value the most.
Did you vote?
Of course.
Did 2020 cause you to value your life and the lives of others more than you did already?
Absolutely. With the pandemic, you really have to be selfless in a lot of ways. But above all, this year really opened my eyes to the injustice and inequality in America. I’ve always thought I had a pretty firm grasp on White privilege and the issues that Black people face, but this year showed me just how much I had left to learn.
There is so much that we don’t understand because we aren’t listening, because minorities aren’t given the opportunities and platforms to speak. It made me reflect on my past, the times that I used my privilege and didn’t recognize it, the moments where I could have been a better ally and failed, the interactions where I may have put someone else down in a way that I didn’t comprehend. It’s been a lot of uncomfortable conversations, a lot of late apologies, and a lot of much needed shame, but a lot of growth.
What can we expect from you in 2021?
Music, and lots of it. Collaborations are on the to-do list! I plan on putting a lot of energy into my podcast, working on new products and clothing, and all around just creating whenever I can. Of course, as always, I’ll be documenting the journey! |THIS.
