Danielle Sestagalli – A Singer, Songwriter and Model

The girl has it all. From gorgeous eyes to killer curves, singer-songwriter Danielle Sestagalli probably has it all. And while she’s already accomplished a ton in her young life—writing songs and performing them for friends and family, modeling, and even getting her foot in the door of the music industry—there’s one thing she can say with complete confidence: She wants to stay put. Her home is where the heart is, and that’s where she wants to raise her family. “I want to give future generations a better world, not just myself,” Sestagalli tells me over the phone from Los Angeles.

“I want to be able to inspire other girls so they don’t have to feel like they have to leave home or give up on their dreams because of financial obstacles or other factors outside their control.” Danielle Sestagalli grew up in New York City but moved away from her parents when she was eleven years old because her mother was going through a divorce and needed some space for herself. Now 20 years later, she feels like she’s come back home but with a difference: She doesn’t know anyone here and isn’t interested in making new friends or socializing with other people who aren’t interested in music or art or anything artistic (which is most people).

What does the future hold for Danielle Sestagalli?

Danielle Sestagalli has big plans for the future—she just wants it to be safe, stable and full of love. “I want to make a family and spend the rest of my life with the one I love,” she explains. “I want my future to be simple and happy.” It’s a wish she shares with many young adults who are facing the challenges of parenthood, job insecurity and other life challenges: A stable, long-term relationship is what Sestagalli wants, and she’s working on getting it.

Her favorite song to perform

“Hills Like Mountains” by Fidlar. It’s a bold choice, but the song is about embracing life—both the good and the bad—and what it has to offer. “That song speaks to all of my feelings,” Danielle Sestagalli says. “It makes me feel free and open to new things.”

What does she want to do after college?

When asked about her goals, Danielle Sestagalli says she wants to help others achieve their dreams by inspiring them to pursue their passions. She wants to be an inspiration to young people everywhere by helping them discover their passions and finding a way to make it happen in life. “That’s what I want to do with my life,” she concludes.

Advice for aspiring artists

“Just remember, you are the only one who can make this work for you.” It’s important to remember that you have to do this on your own, and that people in the industry aren’t there to support you. “That’s why you have to go out and make your own way. You have to get out there and make mistakes so you can learn from them and grow. If you keep doing it the right way, one day you’ll be able to say ‘I made that mistake,’ and then you can move forward from there,” Danielle Sestagalli says. “You have to take risks, especially when you’re young. Your life is really short, and you don’t know what the future has in store for you.

The one thing she wishes someone had told her when she first started out in the music biz

“Don’t let anyone pressure you into anything. Just remember that you have to do this on your own and that people in the industry aren’t there to support you.” Many people have trouble with this, and it can lead to major problems. “People who aren’t in the industry can make mistakes in life. And when you let people pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do. It can be a major turnoff because you might not be as open-minded as you could be. People will pressure you into doing things you don’t want to do, and you have to say: ‘No, I don’t want to do that.’ ”

“The industry is really hard if you don’t have filters” she says of New York City

New York City is a very challenging place to make a living in the music industry, particularly if you’re a woman of color, young person or anyone else who might not fit the “old guard” mold. Yes, it’s a huge city with a lot going on, but many people in the music business aren’t used to navigating the industry’s challenging waters. “The industry is really hard if you don’t have filters,” Danielle Sestagalli says. “When you’re in your 20s or 30s, you’re really trying to do everything yourself without any help. You have to learn how to negotiate and do some deal-sending and presenting.”

Tips for getting noticed by the music industry

Danielle Sestagalli has a few tips for aspiring artists who are looking to break into the music industry. Just remember, you are the only one who can make this work for you. Just be patient, don’t do anything.

Conclusion

“You have to remember, you are the only one who can make this work for you,” encourages Sestagalli. She’s a proud mom of a 2-year-old and will be starting classes at the University of Southern California this fall. “I’m looking forward to exploring different parts of myself and expanding my horizons.”