I’ve spent a lot of time trying to turn myself into a brand, into a recognizable name, creating this presence you all know as “Angel Rose.” This all started when I was only 22 years old, I wanted everyone to know her as fierce, tenacious and smart. Fearless and strong. Which, don’t get me wrong, I can be all of those things. But somewhere down the line I stopped showing you all the person I know myself to be, Angel. Just Angel. At a certain point I had to realize: I do make mistakes, I cry, I can name so many dinosaurs and I love to dance in public. I love karaoke and medieval fantasy. I don’t drink but I’d get into a bar fight for my friends any day. I hide the cracks in my armor too well and sometimes I come home and I break. I love Disney sing alongs and laughing so hard I annoy people at restaurants. I was so afraid to challenge the idea of me that people had in their minds. It’s been 5 years and now all I want is to get closer to the person that I am, the person that I love. I want to lean into the things that make me happy. Because this is me. And I genuinely wish that people could feel a little safer being themselves more often.