Someone's Angel for a Moment: Singer/Songwriter iRussi

Crazy, sexy, cool, but she would frown her full lips at me for saying it.  Julia is a heart of sweet and a talent to notice.  

I met her on Miley Cyrus Bangerz tour.  She has been singing with Miley since the days of Disney.  And even thought she one the supporting vocalist but her voice and personality is strong and undeniable no matter who she stands behind. 

Her spirit, passion, and beauty captivated me and even when she was not feeling her best physically she would find the strength to sing magically.  

Julia comes from a powerful family unit and it is my belief that from their prayers this angel is able to share her light. 

As she embarks on her solo career, I send her so much love and spark on her journey!  Keep shining and GLOW ON Sparkstar.  I love you!

From her heart to yours... here is Julia Sannan otherwise know as iRussi.

What is your name, where are you from, what is your profession?

My name is Julia but professionally I go by iRussi, ( eye-roo-see) which is the Italian version of my last name. I am from Indiana PA but currently reside in the beautiful and friendly south, TN. My profession is all things in musical art and my voice is my instrument. From backup singing for other artists live and on record to recently starting the journey into my own solo career. 

Who are you really? Describe yourself without using your name, or any attributes given to you by society and really think. Deep down, who are you? 

I am a wanderer and a wonderer with a whole bunch of dreams. 

If you could send a message to the entire world, what would you say in less than 140 characters. 

I heard once “We accept the love we think we deserve”. Believe in YOU. You deserve far more happiness and forgiveness that you think. and If you haven't heard it yet today.. I love you.. whoever you are. 

If you received enough money to never need to work again, what would you spend your time doing?

Thats the dream isn't it ? :) In all honesty I would be doing the same as I am now just without the stress of living paycheck to paycheck. I live for traveling... I love performing and creating with words and painting the world with my melodies. 

If today was the last day of your life, what would you want to do?

Depending on where I am I would either want to be with my family or with the ones I love. Open arms and a glass of wine…. Then at 11:30 pm I would want to be dropped off in the middle of the ocean and be left alone with the earth, my God and the night sky..then BAM, midnight will strike. 

If your entire life was a movie, what title would best fit?

“A Thousand Lives” 

How would you describe yourself in 5 words? 

Curious. Passionate. Gemini. Creative. Peculiar. 

What are the chances you’ve passed up on that you regret?

When I was younger, I knew a man who was unable to walk or speak.  He had such a kind spirit all of the time but one day there seemed to be a dark cloud over him.  I had a feeling that I should go talk to him just to be a light in his life that day, a chance to be someone's angel for a moment or so…but I didn't listen to my inner voice and I have always regretted it. 

How do you apply the learning from this regret to your actions today?

I try to listen to my heart more. I feel like people really take away the importance of how strong and true our feelings can be and how they can guide us in the right directions. Our built in stars. Logic plays a huge part in the balance and I really strive to follow both daily, not just one.

What would you do differently if you knew that no one was judging you? 

I would stop caring so much about what others think. I am a Gemini so some days I rage on the “ I don’t give a shit” side and then other days I don’t want to leave the house in fear that someone is going to judge my size, what I say, what I am wearing etc. I would dance in the rain more often and say what I really feel daily, instead of weekly ;) 

What were you doing when you last lost track of the time?

In all honesty I never know the time. I'm a natural born space cadet and get lost several times a day in the many rooms of my mind palace. More specifically thought, I went on a run in Los Feliz CA the other day and the roads were winding and I lost myself somewhere. 

If you had to teach someone one thing, what would you teach?

I would teach them how to see the colors I see in the world. I don’t know how but I would try. 

What makes you smile?

Puppies and good company. 

What drives you to do better at something?

When someone is doing it better than me! ha!  I wouldn't say I’m a competitive person, only when it comes to something that I’m passionate about. Like singing or performing, all things creative really. But I could care less if someone is better than me at darts… 

What can you do today that you couldn’t do a year ago? What will you be able to do at this time next year?

I used to be really bad at putting my mind aside. I am able to move past negative thoughts a lot more than I used to and enjoy a moment or just work harder without distractions. I hope that a year from now, that will continue to get stronger and become a my main strength, to conquer the negative, and speak positive in my life until all of the positives become truth. 

What is the last thing that you’ve done that’s really worth remembering?

 Waking up :)

When was the last time you travelled somewhere new?

Last year I went to Italy for the first time. Its always been my dream to go. Even though I only had 8 hours to roam around it was worth it. I have been traveling my entire life so going somewhere I’ve never been before can be rare but it happened ! and I loved every hour of it ; ) 

What do you want most out of life?

I want to find contentment. The kind where I can still chase after all of my dreams but be happy with any outcome. I tend to “look forward” to things and forget to live where I am currently at. I have a tattoo that reminds me to live in the moment everyday but thats what I want. To do what I love and be happy with whatever form it comes in. 

If karma was coming back to you, would it help or hurt you?

I think that it would do both really. I am a good person and strive to always do whats right but I am human. We all are. I do stupid things and make bad decisions and hurt the ones I love sometimes out of selfishness. But for the most part I believe that karma would be on my side and help me out.

If you could go back in time and see one single thing – what would it be?

I would love to see the first moment my parents said my name and the words “I love you” to me. 

If you could ask for one wish, what would it be?

I would wish for the possibility of living life with all of the good and none of the bad. 

What do you “owe” yourself? 

Some apologies I’m sure. Grace and forgiveness… 

When you think of your home, what immediately comes to mind?

Trees and the sky. I say trees because the home I grew up in was in the woods and I found so much freedom surrounded by them. I say the sky because my home is anywhere I feel loved. Ive moved a lot since the house on the hill surrounded by trees, that is the last stable picture I have of home and the rest is in the air. 

How do you spend the majority of your free time? Why?

I spend it either enjoying my thoughts alone or connecting people and enjoying community. Its a 50/50 split. 

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

Everything that I am now….

HEAR iRUSSI NOW 

What have you done to pursue your dreams lately? How about today?

I’ve been putting myself out there more often. The other day I got up on stage and joined a jam session in nashville, I never do that but I ended up singing for 3 hours. :) Today ? I did yoga and continued to speak positivity into my dreams and my goals, I feel like that it just as effective as   

having a meeting with an important person... (I am an important person).

What terrifies you the most?

Being honest about what terrifies me. 

What are you looking forward to?

Going to sleep when I’m the most tired I have ever been. There is nothing like pure exhaustion and finally laying down. How about that for a shallow answer. I felt the need to pull my head out of the clouds. #gemini 

What have you done that you’re most proud to have achieved? 

I have made it through my life without punching someone in the face. Also, I started running after my dreams when I was eight years old and I haven’t stopped. I have seen so much of the world, met thousands of people, performed in front of millions and experienced so much of the culture and spirituality of the world… I feel like that is already enough for me. I’m sure if I decide to have a human someday then that will conquer all of those things but thats where my heart says now. 

What is your greatest strength?

Being able to look at all sides of a situation. Wether its figuring out something pretty logical or wearing all the shoes and hats in a fight or dilemma. 

What did your life teach you yesterday?

I think life TRIED to teach me to stop worrying so much. 

What have you done today to make someone’s life better?

Today? I didn't turn the volume all the way up while listening to my music on the plane. :) I think the person next to me would thank me if they knew. 

What makes you special?

What makes everyone special is the beautiful fact that there is only one. One of me. One of you. I am me and that makes me special.

When did you not speak up, when you know you really should have?

Today there was a man behind me in line yelling at his wife… He was speaking AT her like a five year old.. granted, she wasn't being very nice back either but I wanted to turn around a say something… Im sure really sure what I would have said but I wanted to be encouraging or even just remind them that they are still together… still married.. still breathing and that is a gift. Who knows if they would have even cared but I feel like I should have said at least something. 

Do you consider yourself the hero or the villain in your story?

Both. 

When did you last push the boundaries of your comfort zone?

About 10 questions ago ;)  Im not the most open person in the world and answering these questions has definitely made me step out of dungeon heart land. 

What have you given up on?

Mind reading…and eating wheat. :) 

Finish this sentence: I am a sparkstar beacause  I believe in myself. 

Three things that I learned in my professional field that have changed my life are : 

1. Nobody counts, measures and remembers my mistakes like I do and that eases my mind. 
2. Don’t let anybody tell you who are. 
3. Enjoy EVERY win.. even the tiny ones like someone spelling your name right on your cup at Starbucks. Every happy moment counts. 

My wish for the world is  Freedom from the media’s lies about beauty, success and love.