Jessie James Decker on her various career directions: 'Why can't we do everything?'

For those who have been following the music career of gold-selling country-pop singer/songwriter Jessie James Decker, it seems like quite a long time between the release of her self-titled 2009 debut album, , and her second full-length set, Southern Girl City Lights, which just came out this month.

That time lapse, of course, might just have a little bit to do with Decker’s penchant for juggling a variety of careers at once. In addition to her hit reality TV series, E!’s Eric & Jessie — a humorous romp through day-to-day adventures with her NFL star husband Eric Decker — she’s launched fashion lines, mans a beauty tutorial channel on YouTube, and holds it all down as supermom to two preschoolers (with a third baby on the way next spring!).

Decker’s television role is likely her most famous calling card, winning fans for her straightforward delivery. “What you’re seeing on TV is what you get,” she deadpans. “My friends will even tell you that. There’s nothing I’m doing to hide or be any different.”

However, as she told BUILD series recently during a trip to New York City, it sometimes can be hurtful when others don’t consider the heart and soul she’s put into her music career as well.

The singer related one such moment, when she was seeking to be involved in one of country music’s several annual awards shows. “I’ve been in Nashville on and off for 10 years, and part of the music community,” she explains. “It finally came down to, whoever it was, to ask ‘Why aren’t you letting Jessie be a part of this? You’re letting A, B, C, all these people, do it. Why can’t she?’ And the person said, ‘Oh, she’s a part-time country singer. We want full-time country singers involved.‘”

“It really crushed me; really hurt my feelings,” she admits. “It’s really hard because, I put my family
first, and I say no to a lot of things. And because I enjoy doing so many different other things, it’s almost like I’m being punished for being a multi-tasker and putting my kids first…this is 2017, why can’t we do everything and be rewarded for it?”

Decker extends this upbeat sentiment to her entire philosophy, saying that her main cause in life is to make others feel good about themselves. “I really was bullied badly in school,” she says.
“I moved all the time as part of a military family, and I just really did not have very many friends. I remember having these feelings of walking into a room and feeling that nobody likes me, or thinking “I’m going to have to sit alone at lunch again.” Just a really hard time, and I really don’t want anyone to ever feel that way. I don’t want anyone to ever feel they are alone and no one likes them, or to feel as insecure as I did.

“And so I think it’s always my message: “Don’t let anyone make you feel that way. You’re wonderful and you are beautiful. You’re unique. I think I do that through everything — my clothing line, my music, anything that I have. I want to instill that confidence.”

Watch the full interview with Decker below: