Few artists have a story as remarkable as Jeannie Ortega's. Once a teenage pop sensation signed to Hollywood Records, Ortega scored a Gold-certified Billboard Top 25 hit with "Crowded" and even toured the world alongside Rihanna. But at the height of her mainstream success, she made the surprising decision to walk away from the spotlight after encountering God in a life-changing way.
Today, the New York native has embraced a new calling as a Christian artist, minister, television host and journalist, using her platform to point people toward hope in Christ. Her latest single, "Never Forgotten," is a powerful anthem reminding listeners that no matter how abandoned or alone they may feel, God has never left their side. In this exclusive interview, Ortega opens up about leaving fame behind, discovering her true purpose, and why she believes her most meaningful music is only just beginning.
Listen to her new song here.
Q: For readers who may know you from your pop hit "Crowded" but not your faith journey, can you take us back to the beginning and share how your relationship with God ultimately changed the direction of your life and career?
I started off in music as a way for it to take me out of my current state. I didn't want to be here anymore, and music saved my life. So I went into music and, oddly enough, became popular, had a hit song, and saw my little dreams come true. But I still found myself empty and searching for more. It didn't fill the God-shaped void that I had in my heart. At the height of my career, I had an encounter with God and His presence, and that became the ultimate game-changer. It completely shifted the trajectory of my life and career.
Q: Your new single, "Never Forgotten," speaks to people who feel isolated or abandoned. What personal experiences inspired this song, and why was now the right time to release it?
Jesus calls us to take care of the orphans and the widows. As ministers, my husband and I really feel called to care for children in foster care and for those who find themselves alone later in life. One resounding truth for both of those groups is that even though they may feel forgotten, they are not. They are not forgotten by God. They are seen by Him.
Even in my own life, I can look back on my loneliest moments and see that the truth remained the same-I was never forgotten. God was with me. He was getting me through and guiding me every step of the way. That's really how this song came about.
Q: You walked away from a successful mainstream music career at a time when many artists would have been chasing even greater fame. Was that a difficult decision, and what did God teach you through that season?
I walked away because I realized that music-and my original goal of wanting to help people through it-had shifted. I had become a people-pleaser. I wanted to give people what they wanted instead of what they truly needed.
When I discovered God and realized He had a plan for my life, I didn't want anything standing in the way of that. I was willing to walk away from music altogether and never sing again if it meant growing closer to Him because I had finally recognized my need for God.
Honestly, it wasn't difficult in the moment because I wanted more of this God I was just beginning to know. I had never experienced peace like that before. I had never felt so understood. My life finally made sense. I had achieved success, but now I understood my true purpose beyond success. Compared to knowing God, the world's version of success felt shallow. I wasn't chasing fame anymore-I was chasing the One who created me for His purpose.
Q: You've worn many hats over the years-artist, television host, journalist, and minister. How have those different experiences shaped the message you share through your music today?
I think all of those experiences have expanded my worldview and helped me understand people in a much deeper way. They've sharpened my ability to minister because they've allowed me to relate to people from many different backgrounds and life experiences. I can sit at the table with anybody.
Being exposed to so many different facets of life has broadened my perspective. It allows me to dig deeper into the human experience, and that naturally influences my songwriting and the messages I share through my music.
Q: "Never Forgotten" carries a powerful message of hope and belonging. What do you hope listeners who are struggling with broken relationships or loneliness will take away after hearing the song?
I hope it gives them a sense of belonging. People who feel forgotten often struggle with deep rejection and isolation. I want everyone to know they are part of something much bigger. The enemy wants people to believe they are isolated and alone, but that's a lie.
God has a beautiful purpose and plan for every person's life. If people can truly understand that they belong to something greater, it can transform their identity, their sense of worth, and the way they see themselves. My prayer is that listeners leave encouraged and strengthened, knowing that regardless of what they're facing or who may be absent from their lives, God is always with them and has a beautiful future prepared for them.
Q: Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you next? Are there more new songs, ministry projects, or creative ventures on the horizon that you're excited to share?
I'm very excited to share that I'm currently releasing a musical memoir. It will be made up of five chapters, each representing a different era of my life. My hope is to use those stories to mentor people through their own human experiences.
The project features music spanning the last 20 years of my life, and I'm incredibly excited to finally share it with the world and, most importantly, to see God use it for a greater purpose.
