ICYMI: #MotivationalMonday IG Live featuring Laura Bell Bundy

BY LAURA HARPER/WWR Staff Writer

When it comes to doing it all and creating a name for yourself across multiple industries, no one encapsulates the true meaning of female empowerment quite like Laura Bell Bundy.

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Bundy realized she had a passion for music and singing from a young age. Growing up, her grandfather was a singer and radio DJ, entwining her youth with musical influence from the beginning.

Bundy also had a hand in other endeavors as a child, having gotten a modeling contract at the age of five. She would travel to New York in the summers to model, and there she saw her first Broadway performance.

Today, Bundy has had an impressive career as a musician and on Broadway, having starred in such large productions as Hairspray and Legally Blonde. While her experience in musical theater is based in her showcasing her vocal talents as a character, she has always been passionate of creating her own music as well.

While working on Broadway, she would sometimes play late-night gigs with her band following her performances. Eventually, she made the decision to move to Nashville in to fully immerse herself in the music scene, and now uses her music to help women feel empowered.

“I want to make the path easier for others than it was for myself,” Bundy said.

Bundy also uses her musical talents to shed light on certain issues facing women everywhere. A prime example of this is her cover of the popular Cyndi Lauper song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” in which Bundy uses her music video to make a powerful statement about domestic violence.

“Many cases of female homelessness are a result of domestic violence,” Bundy said. “There are violent acts committed against women for speaking up.”

As a woman working in a primarily male-dominated industry, Bundy says she has faced some challenges, particularly in regards to sexism and being put into uncomfortable situations. However, Bundy sums up her reaction simply: “I don’t really worry about it.”

Noticing that there is a lack of women holding positions in the music and production industries, Bundy has worked to develop a diverse team of women to assist in her various music and theater endeavors.

“As a woman, I like to listen to women because I connect with those viewpoints,” Bundy said.

She also uses her original music, such as an upcoming song called “American Girl,” that discusses the impossible expectations placed on women in American society. Additionally, her most recent album Women of Tomorrow, featuring the hit “Get it Girl, You Go,” uses every song as a means of covering different issues women are facing today.

“You can’t be great at anything because you try to do everything,” Bundy said.

For more on Laura Bell Bundy, you can check out the entire livestream on her Instagram page @LauraBellBundy. You can also catch more #MotivationalMonday and #WomanCrushWednesday IG Live segments on the Women Who Rock Instagram page @OfficialWomenWhoRock.