Get to Know Elena Rose

I think I realized that the songs were never the whole purpose — they were preparing me to become the person who could sing them.

For a long time, I felt very happy putting into words what other people felt, you know? And being a safe space for these artists who, at the end of the day, are also just human. I actually think sometimes they wanted me around more because of that than for my actual talent. I really prayed that I could be an instrument of peace, and that whatever work or song we created together could have an impact on their hearts, not only on their careers, and eventually on the hearts of the people listening too.

So I think songwriting became this beautiful act of service for me. And it also helped me understand that there’s really no distance between any two people in this world — between me and you, between me and whoever is reading this. There’s always a meeting point. And to me, that meeting point is love.

But eventually, I also understood that there was a higher calling. That there were certain things I was going to have to say myself, and certain things I was going to have to sing. And I started preparing myself for that. I knew I wanted to give something meaningful to the world, not because anybody was asking me to, but simply because something inside of me was asking for it. And somewhere in that process, I started loving myself more and more. I started understanding that ultimately, only God can truly judge who I am. So being seen wasn’t a problem for me anymore. Being seen became another way of serving.

I don’t think I ever tried to find my sound. I think I found myself, and my sound came with me. Writing for so many different artists taught me that music doesn’t really have to live inside a box. I learned from every genre, every culture, every room, every person I created with.

And I think when it was finally time to ask myself, “What am I going to do? Who am I going to be?” those questions came more from realizing that we live in a world that’s already so full of amazing things. So I had to really ask myself what I wanted to bring into it, and what felt meaningful for me to add.

I guess the real work was never about searching for a sound. It was about searching for who I am. And my sound is really just a reflection of that — where I come from, what I love, what I believe in, and who I’m becoming, over and over again.

I think Venezuela taught me how to find joy in simplicity. There’s something about the way I grew up that taught me that you don’t need much to feel like you have everything. Music, family, food, people talking over each other, laughing, being together — there was so much life in the simplest moments.

And I think that still lives in everything I do. Even spiritually, it taught me to recognize abundance differently. Abundance isn’t always having more; sometimes it’s being present enough to realize how much you already have. I think that’s very Venezuelan in me — making something beautiful out of whatever is in front of you.

I want people to walk away feeling more than knowing. Of course I want them to know my music and understand who I am as an artist, but more than anything, I want them to leave feeling a little lighter, a little more loved, maybe even a little more connected to themselves.

Everything matters — the music, the visuals, what I wear, what I say — but ultimately, the intention behind all of it is love. I always pray before I go onstage and ask God to let me be a vessel for whatever somebody in that audience might need that night. If they leave feeling more alive, more hopeful, or simply happier than when they arrived, then I did my job. And hopefully… they won’t forget me. [laughs]

I always perform like I’m in front of millions, because I know the echo that love can have. But at the same time, I never take for granted that if I touch one heart — and one heart only — that is huge. So whether it’s 1,200 people or 82,000, my intention doesn’t really change. I want to be completely present, completely grateful, and give everything I have.

Of course, MetLife is a dream. But I don’t want the size of the dream to distract me from the purpose of it. At the end of the day, I’m not singing to numbers. I’m singing to people. And if one person leaves carrying a little more love because I was there, then that stage was worth it.

And I just gotta say, thank you, God. I’m gonna do my best.

I love New York because it has this energy that makes you feel like anything can happen. Between shows, I honestly love just walking around. I love spending time in Central Park. I have a little dog who loves nature too, so I really appreciate that even though this is such a big city, you still have real trees and flowers and these beautiful places where you can just walk around and breathe.

One of my favorite TV shows is Sex and the City, so whenever I’m in New York, there’s a part of me that just feels unstoppable. [laughs] But at the same time, the city brings out this really romantic side of me. I can get lost in my head, daydreaming and imagining things.

If I had to live here for a year, I think I’d choose anywhere around Central Park. Honestly, as long as I can be walking distance from nature, I’ll be happy. I’ve realized it’s something I really need. It’s actually one of the things I love most about Miami—I go to the sea every day when I’m home. I think being close to nature keeps me grounded, no matter how busy life gets.