Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina “Kriss” Mitchell.
Kristina “Kriss”, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m originally from Philadelphia, PA, where I started out doing open mics, releasing independent EPs, and working as a background vocalist. Music has always been a huge part of my life, but for a long time I felt stuck in an environment that was filled with negativity, pain, and limitation. Deep down, I knew I wanted more for myself, more peace, more growth, and more purpose.
About four years ago, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I packed everything I could into a U-Haul trailer, attached it to my 2018 Nissan Rogue, and drove 28 hours from Philadelphia to Fort Worth, Texas. God was calling me to start over, and since making that move, my life has completely changed for the better.
Since being in Texas, I’ve continued doing music here and there through background vocal work and occasional performances, but my main focus has really been healing and discovering who I am outside of my past experiences. In May 2025, I released my first book, Baby Girl, I’m Healing You, after having it sit in my phone notes for nearly three years. The book shares my journey through childhood abuse, abandonment, trauma, and ultimately healing through faith and perseverance.
Today, I’m in a season where I’m allowing God to lead every part of my journey creatively, personally, and spiritually. I’ve learned that my story is bigger than music alone. It’s about healing, purpose, and becoming the woman I was always meant to be.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. Honestly, I feel like I’m just now getting to the good part of life and finally learning what it means to truly live. As a child, I experienced physical, emotional, and verbal abuse often, and as an adult, I found myself replaying a lot of those experiences internally. For a long time, I struggled with feeling worthy of a good life because negativity was constantly spoken over me growing up.
I also had to navigate a lot of abandonment. Being adopted, I didn’t have much family around, and after my adopted mother passed away when I was 10 years old, many relatives stopped coming around. I didn’t meet my biological family until I was 24, and because of their own personal struggles, most of my siblings never stayed connected. My relationship with my biological mother was also very up and down for years, more down than up, but thankfully over the last five years we’ve built an amazing relationship that I truly value now.
When I moved from Pennsylvania to Texas, I didn’t have much help at all, but I was determined to create a better life for myself. The first two years were difficult because I thought I had found a healthy community, only to realize it reflected a lot of the same negativity and drama I had left behind in Philadelphia. Eventually, I had to make the difficult decision to remove myself from those spaces and choose a different path for my life.
I’d say the road has become much smoother over the last year because I started leaning into God more than my surroundings. I stopped allowing my past, other people, or difficult situations to define me, and instead focused on healing, peace, and becoming the person God created me to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a singer-songwriter and author, and music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I specialize in singing and have done a lot of background vocal work over the years, sharing stages and working with different artists along the way. For me, though, it has never really been about who I’ve worked with or the accolades. I just genuinely love music and take pride in being someone who can come in, do the job well, and create an experience for people through my voice.
One thing I hear often is that people love my tone and the emotion I bring when I sing. I’ve been told I have a way of pulling people into the moment and making them feel what I’m singing, and that means a lot to me because music is supposed to connect people. I’m definitely a ballad girl at heart because ballads allow me to really take my time, tell a story, and make the song my own. Right now, I’ve been focusing more on background vocal work than being front and center as an artist, and honestly, I truly enjoy that space.
Outside of music, I’m also an author. My book, Baby Girl, I’m Healing You, is deeply personal to me because it’s not only a reflection of my life experiences, but also a healing tool for others. It’s part autobiography and part workbook, filled with scriptures, reflections, and activities meant to help people navigate their own healing journeys.
What I’m most proud of honestly is living. It may sound deep, but after everything I’ve experienced, from childhood trauma and abandonment to mental and emotional struggles, the fact that I’m still here, still growing, and still choosing life means everything to me. Moving from Philadelphia to Texas and starting over with very little support was one of the biggest leaps of faith I’ve ever taken, and I’m proud of the woman I’ve become because of it. I’ve had moments where life felt unbearable, moments where I didn’t know if I wanted to keep going, but by the grace of God, I’m still here.
I think what sets me apart from others is my openness and authenticity. I’m an open book, and I’m never afraid to tell the truth about my story, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Whether through music or writing, I want people to feel seen, understood, and less alone. I don’t just want people to hear me, I want them to feel something when they experience my art.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is my relationship with Christ. God is truly my everything. I know people say that often, but for me, it goes far beyond words. God has been the one constant, stable presence in my life through every season. He has never abandoned me, never failed me, never switched up on me, and never stopped loving me, even during the hardest moments of my life. My relationship with Him, His word, and the promises He’s spoken over my life are what continue to sustain me and keep me grounded.
Right beneath that, I would say my little family and the people God has placed in my life. My relationship with my biological mother today is something I deeply cherish because we’ve come such a long way, and now she’s truly like my best friend. My little sister means the world to me as well. On difficult days, she’s one of the reasons I keep pushing forward and continue striving to become better.
There’s also a child who holds a very special place in my heart. She was one of my students at my last job before I left Philadelphia. One day during class, when she was only two years old, she sat next to me, held my hand, and asked if we could be best friends. At first, I honestly thought she was joking, but from that moment on, we built an incredible bond, and I’ve remained part of her life ever since. Even after both of us moved away, her mother has made it possible for us to stay connected. She still calls and FaceTimes me, and she continues to be such a bright light in my life. I often call her “God’s gift to my heart” because during one of the darkest seasons of my life, I truly believe God placed her in my life as a reminder to keep going.
I’m also grateful for the healthy friendships and relationships I have now, including my significant other, because for the first time in a long time, I feel surrounded by genuine love, support, and peace. He has truly shown me what true love looks and feels like. But above all else, it always comes back to God. Who He says I am, what He says I can do, and the life He’s called me to live matter more to me than anything else.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sing.kriss?igsh=Z3B2djNsMmNnYW50&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://a.co/d/01urdN7w
