Ariel Houston‘s new release, “Breaking My Heart,” inspired by her personal experience, explores the theme of betrayal in relationships. While the song touches on infidelity, it goes beyond that to encompass any form of dishonesty that causes significant pain. The singer and activist, Ariel Houston’s own journey involved her husband struggling with issues, leading to feelings of disappointment. The track stands out from Ariel Houston’s previous singles as it represents her artistic growth and development.
Ariel Houston connects deeply with vulnerability and resilience expressed in the single, aiming to promote healing through shared experiences. Collaborating with Ali Gooseberry and Christopher Johnson, she co-wrote the song, bringing her personal concept to the table. Influenced by artists like Whitney Houston, Faith Evans, and Tina Turner, Ariel Houston incorporates their styles into her music, drawing inspiration from their vocal abilities and empowering performances.
During our profound conversation, Ariel Houston passionately expressed her commitment to making a meaningful and lasting difference. Ariel Houston‘s activism and entrepreneurial spirit shine brightly through the admirable initiative known as the Houston Foundation for Hope, which supports individuals and communities who struggle with mental illness and substance dependency.
Read the full interview with Ariel Houston below.
Stereo Saints: Congratulations on your new release “Breaking My Heart.” What prompted you to write a song about betrayal? Have you personally gone through a similar experience?
Ariel Houston: Thank you! My own personal experience is what prompted me to write this song. When you hear the song, I think most would assume that it is about a man cheating on a woman, which does hold some truth. However, it goes beyond infidelity. Heartbreak applies to any person in a relationship whose partner is not honest with them, causing them significant pain.
For me, it was not about infidelity but my husband struggling with issues that only he could fix, and since then, he has been working on those issues. But during that time, I experienced everything a wife being cheated on by another person would experience and MORE:
- The lies
- The disappearing act
- The broken promises
- The hurt and pain
- Just the general sense of betrayal
Stereo Saints: In what ways does “Breaking My Heart” stand out from your other singles such as “Guns Down Life Up,” “Loose U,” and “Body“? How would you describe your artistic growth and development through your songs?
Ariel Houston: My songs are advantageous to my artistic growth and development. We, as artists, sometimes get pigeonholed into specific images, ideals, or sounds, which can stunt the artist’s growth. I say that because, at the end of the day, behind every artist is a whole human being made up of different parts, and if we only allow certain parts of us to grow while other parts get stuck in a spot that society has put us in, then it makes it challenging to reach our full potential. So, I am happy with the trajectory of my songs. I’ve been able to record, write, and perform so many different types of songs. I was literally a Broadway Kid years before I stepped foot into a recording studio as a young teen, so I just feel grateful that God has given me a unique and favorable opportunity to grow as an artist.
Stereo Saints: To what extent were you involved in conceptualizing and executing the visual elements of the music video for “Breaking My Heart,” which effectively portrays a compelling narrative of confronting a cheating partner?
Ariel Houston: I wish I could take credit for the visual elements but that was Commercials R Us, Ali, and his team, the amazing and talented director behind the scenes.
Stereo Saints: In the song, you express both vulnerability and resilience. How did you connect with the emotions conveyed and what message do you hope listeners take away from it?
Ariel Houston: I connect with both of those concepts wholeheartedly. Because we all experience pain, and trauma, we are all vulnerable. I think when we allow others to see our vulnerability, it allows for healing, which in turn promotes resilience.
Stereo Saints: You co-wrote “Breaking My Heart,” collaborating with Ali Gooseberry and Christopher Johnson. Can you share your creative process and what it was like working with them on this song?
Ariel Houston: My music reflects my personal experience. That’s what I like to write about, that’s what I like to sing about. I brought the concept of Heartbreak to Ali and Christopher, we went into the lab, and the rest is history.
Stereo Saints: Being influenced by iconic artists like Whitney Houston, Faith Evans, and Tina Turner, how have these influences shaped your musical style and the way you express yourself through your music?
Ariel Houston: I was inspired by Whitney’s sound, style, and approach to singing a song. Just her vocal abilities were like nothing that any of us will ever see again in our lifetime. I believe that voices like Whitney’s only come around every 5000 years. Tina inspired me to not be afraid to belt. RIP to Tina and Whitney. I have a very strong voice, depending on what I’m singing, and Tina just had the grit and guts to sing with power and passion that came from so deep within. Faith inspired my airy harmonies and riffs. Faith knows how to make a record sound pretty.
Stereo Saints: Beyond being recognized as a talented artist, you also prioritize making a positive impact through activism and entrepreneurship. How do you plan to integrate these aspects of your life and career to create a lasting legacy?
Ariel Houston: Yes, writing and recording songs, performing, and doing interviews like this is fun, but if I don’t prioritize making a positive impact on the lives of others, then why do it- why do any of it? For any of my listeners/fans or people who like my music, one thing they will learn about me is that serving others is one of my most important jobs, and it took many years and life experiences to gain that understanding. I watched my husband, Michael Houston who is Whitney Houston’s only full brother, suffer through some of the most tragic losses and traumatic experiences that we as human beings face. Pain, loss, trauma are all things that everyone will face at some point in their life.
My husband loves his sister more than life itself. For many years after Whitney died, and then Bobby Kristina, and others that we have lost, including those who are still struggling, I just thought about what I could do to make a real difference in the lives of people, not just our family but other families and communities who face the same struggles. Because mental illness and substance dependency is a societal issue that affects all of us, I just wanted to create something that my husband and I could be a part of that was meaningful and purposeful, and we did that by founding the Houston Foundation for Hope.
Watch the official video for “Breaking My Heart” here:
Listen to the song on Spotify: