Before you proceed any further, you should know that these photos are self-portraits by an artiste who also happens to be pregnant at the time of capture.
Her texts read,
"I hope you’re well. Life’s been kicking my ass as per usual. I reached out to multiple photographers/MUAs to do a shoot and got flat-out ignored. So I did it myself."
"If this ain't The Urban Executive, I don't know what is."
"You healthy?"
Ladies and Gentle Executives meet Xeven! A multidimensional artiste on the verge of explosion in the musical scene. Currently based in NYC, she is among many things a dancer, photographer, videographer, producer, a former international model, and a burgeoning alternative pop artist with a new single "Roller Coaster" that embodies life's struggles.
Xeven is an electrifying force to be reckoned with, a creative chameleon whose devotion to her purpose fuels her to becoming whoever is needed. When asked about her purpose, she told The Urban Executive
"I feel like my expression has always been a single path. My first memories come with the same life purpose that I still carry till today. To make people feel”
If you've been fortunate enough to witness Xeven perform live anywhere in the world—be it London, Munich, Berlin, Tallinn, Helsinki, New Jersey, New York or any other international stage —then you know exactly what we're talking about. A cohesive amalgamation of pure artistry.
She is now wearing a new hat bestowed by Mother Nature herself, motherhood. In this executive interview, we discuss her journey of purpose through music, motherhood, and a multifaceted career. Enjoy!
The Urban Executive: Can you introduce yourself?
Xeven: If I were to introduce myself as Helen, I would say I'm a very curious person who is a creative who more than anything enjoys turning ideas into reality. I am a former professional dancer and model, and currently a musical artist known as Xeven.
The Urban Executive: Take us back! How did it all begin? What avenue of expression did you start with, and what was the domino effect?
Xeven: I feel like my expression has always been a single path. But if we talk about avenues, I would say that dance was probably my first. I've always wanted to become a performing artist, or I already was one. My first memories come with the same life purpose that I still carry till today.
The Urban Executive: What is that purpose?
Xeven: To make people feel. I find self-expression through music and performing and visual arts to be fundamentally healing. The only way to deal with any emotion and move on is to live through it – and I hope to encourage others to do so by example.
The Urban Executive: When did you realize that your passion for performing arts was more than just a hobby?
Xeven: I don't think there was ever a specific moment of realization; it's always been inherent in who I am. From my earliest memories, the drive to express myself through performance has been a constant. Whether it was dance, music, or any other avenue of artistic expression, the core remained the same. However, at a younger age I found dance to be the most dynamic and expressive form for me personally. As for modelling, it was another avenue that presented itself, offering opportunities and exposure. It was a way to get to the right place, to be at the right time, to harness other potential opportunities.
The Urban Executive: It sounds like you've worn many hats throughout your career, each representing a different facet of your artistic journey. How do you manage the transition between these identities?
Xeven: There's been an evolution in my roles over time. While dance and modelling were prominent in the past, they've taken a backseat to my focus on music now. Each phase has involved wearing different hats simultaneously, but my priorities have shifted with time. When I was fully immersed in modelling, music took a backseat, but the pandemic provided an unexpected opportunity to explore my musical aspirations further. So, it's been a journey of adapting, wearing multiple hats at times, and then transitioning when the time is right.
The Urban Executive: Now, there's a new role added to your repertoire—motherhood. How has this new responsibility influenced your journey thus far?
Xeven: So, the pregnancy was unexpected. I'm in a very loving marriage and very happy in my relationship so when this pregnancy came to be, I didn't have a question in mind. This is the right time, even though it was not planned. It did however, come at a time where I was recovering from spinal surgery which was a pretty serious thing. I have endured a lot of pain and discomfort especially throughout all of 2023, so I'm not going to sugarcoat things. It has affected me mentally, quite badly at first because I wasn't sure. First of all, I felt like I lost connection with my body because I used to be really fit and danced a lot, and so I was looking forward to regaining my strength and fitness and obviously, with pregnancy you can't really do that because you are even more limited. It has definitely been a lesson in patience and self-compassion and one in understanding the value and fragility of life, relationships and learning to love myself once again. In a true way, to really love myself unconditionally.
The Urban Executive: What about professionally? How has being an expecting mother affected your professional life?
Xeven: With music, we all know that it's a man's industry. Although that is changing slowly, it has also challenged me mentally as a woman striving to succeed as an artist, socially and financially. It did raise a lot of self-doubt in me because What if my pregnancy makes me irrelevant? What if it makes me unreliable to the professionals I'm working with?"
There were a lot of these what-ifs that made me feel like clipping my wings before I fly, but I'm very happy to find that it's not unbased in reality, it is mostly a mind trap because humans and people do understand the experience of bearing new life far better than you'd expect them to. There's a lot more appreciation, compassion, and actual joy for you, even with the men in the industry. I've been pleasantly surprised by the people I've been working with to see that it has not at all changed their view or impression of me. I feel like, on the contrary, there's even excitement for the type of music I will write and the type of art that I will create with as an artist because it's such a pivotal time in my life.
The Urban Executive: It's encouraging to hear that. Society often harbours preconceived notions and stereotypes about working mothers, especially those who are pregnant, particularly in the early stages. Have you encountered any such stereotypes in your career since announcing your pregnancy?
Xeven: Surprisingly, no. I haven't faced any projected stereotypes when it comes to music. Perhaps it's my personal outlook on life or how I've chosen to approach my pregnancy. Alternatively, it could be attributed to the supportive environment I find myself in. In fact, I've observed a heightened level of support and motivation from my collaborators since sharing the news. Co-producers are more eager to engage in new projects and assist in bringing my creative visions to life. I consider myself fortunate to be surrounded by such a positive and supportive network of individuals. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and certainly, my wonderful husband has been an indispensable part of that village, supporting me every step of the way. He has really made me feel like what I do matters.
The Urban Executive: Many women undergo a profound shift in identity upon entering motherhood, a transition that varies from person to person. Have you noticed any changes in how you perceive yourself since becoming pregnant?
Xeven: Definitely, there's been a shift in self-perception and identity, but not in the sense of
"Oh, I'm pregnant now, look at my belly, and this is my whole identity."
It runs much deeper. The moment you realize you're carrying a new life, everything changes. You become responsible for nurturing and guiding another being, and that realization profoundly alters your sense of self-worth and how you relate to others in your life. It's a transformative experience that connects us in ways we may not have previously understood. Personally, it's intensified my desire to share my stories, art, and messages of love and inspiration, hoping to encourage other women to pursue their passions and embrace self-expression.
The Urban Executive: Speaking of self-expression, how are you planning to do that through your work? Is there anything we should be expecting?
Xeven: I've just released a song called "Roller Coaster," which is about life's ups and downs. It's funny because I actually wrote it about a different, more trivial event in my life, and it turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy in a way. I wrote "Roller Coaster" when I thought I would be waiting for my green card for at least 18 months, but it came through in about six months, and it was just a really good piece of news. I was reminiscing about my life in the United States, which has always been full of unexpected twists and turns. Little did I know that I was also going to find out about this child, the biggest twist of them all. So, the finishing of "Roller Coaster" coincided with me finding out that I was pregnant, and it just went so well together as a concept. It felt as if I predicted something much more drastic to happen.
The Urban Executive: Balancing career demands and impending motherhood can be emotionally taxing. How do you prioritize self-care and mental well-being during this transformative time?
Xeven: Currently, my life hasn't changed dramatically. Self-care for me involves immersing myself in my music, collaborating on projects—that's where I find fulfilment. Additionally, taking long walks in the beautiful spring weather of New York is rejuvenating. Life isn't vastly different just yet. As for after the birth of my child, only time will tell. But for now, maintaining close connections with friends and family, even if they're physically distant, is vital. Spending time with loved ones is my ultimate form of self-care, alongside my healthiest coping mechanism: making music.
The Urban Executive: How do you navigate the physical changes that your body goes through during pregnancy?
Xeven: This is the point where I've mentioned unconditional self-love, it is very hard to understand until you go through the depths of your despair about your ever-changing body. As someone who modelled professionally for many years, my body was always the topic of scrutiny in conversations; agents, clients, etc. I started in the time where the European market was very skinny. I wouldn't say I have body dysmorphia per se, but I do have severe body image issues. I had to go deep and really feel the despair of not liking what pregnancy is doing to my body. I had to cry, I had to just really feel what I was feeling but coming out the other end, I actually realized there's been a weight off my shoulders. It made me rethink about who is saying all of these things to me about my body: I realized that that is not my voice, it's not the voice of my immediate family, it's not the voice of my partner, it is the voices that didn't matter. And sometimes your body, the image that you carry, and the image that you are used to in a certain form is not what is truly important. With that being said, it has been helpful to take myself back to the time in my childhood remember looking at my parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles and just think how awesome they are as real people. Vanity driven industries can really corrupt your mind in ways you need to regularly take a step back and see from a perspective of higher value.
The Urban Executive: Parenthood often prompts reflections on our own upbringing. Are there any lessons from your childhood that you hope to impart to your child?
Xeven: laughs Oh no! My upbringing was rather unconventional. If I were to contemplate my parents, there are many things I would approach differently. However, what I truly value is how my parents treated me like an adult and led by example. Instead of being authoritarian and enforcing strict discipline, they fostered an environment where I understood emotions. My mother, especially, instilled in me a deep sense of empathy. It's something I'm immensely proud of. Empathy should feel as natural as breathing, and I aspire for my child to grow up embracing empathy, understanding that human interactions are nuanced. Rather than relying solely on reward and punishment, I believe in providing context and explanation, allowing children to comprehend the complexities of the world. Children are far more astute than many parents give them credit for.
The Urban Executive: For many women, there's this fear that starting a family could hinder career aspirations, what advice would you give to women who are pursuing both parenthood and career?
Xeven: The advice is life doesn't end with parenthood and neither does your career, I believe that you can do both. However, rest is super important even when it's just you, so remember to take all the breaks you need. I think with parenthood you just have to work smarter not harder. That's something I'm yet to do because I'm working really hard, but I feel like I have begun working smarter in the sense that I am delegating more. I would say, you can do both and it's very important to rest. Working hard doesn't necessarily mean that you are being productive. You can be very productive by creating more space in your mind, by getting bored more often. Sometimes the best ideas come from not constantly trying to create. That shift can also be beneficial for your career and your art because you'll also benefit from the time you spent creating ideas.
The Urban Executive: What's next for Xeven?
Xeven: Next up is my single “Deja Vu” in collaboration with one of my favourite co-producers, SHER. The song is coming out June 24. I’ll also be doing an Instagram live on June 20, both 12:00 PM EST and 5PM EST. It’ll be a virtual baby shower in the form of an exclusive of performing some of my unreleased work amongst a DJ set of my favourite music. So, stay tuned for more info on the event via my Instagram @xevevenxmusic.
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