Julia Michaels connects to a mental health anthem for women on 'Songland'

Singer/songwriter Julia Michaels, who has spoken openly about her struggles with mental health issues, felt a special connection to a song called “Sad Girls,” as well as the writer herself, who was diagnosed with depression at the age of ten.

Video Transcript

[THEME MUSIC]

JULIAN MICHAELS: Not only do I feel connected to the song, but I also feel weirdly connected to you.

I loved the concept of the song, you know, embracing the fact that you are this way. I think that song just represented everything that I stand for.

NARRATOR: As a guest on "Songland" Monday night, singer-songwriter Julia Michaels felt a special connection to the song "Sad Girls," which is about dealing with mental health issues.

JENNA LOTTI: [SINGING] Maybe it's in my genetics. But tonight I'll forget it. This is for all the sad girls living in their own worlds.

NARRATOR: The songwriter, Jenna Lotti, said she was diagnosed with depression at the age of 10. Michaels has spoken in the past about her own struggles with mental health, which made Lotti's lyrics really hit home.

JULIAN MICHAELS: Honestly, that genetics line is just like sitting with me so hard.

JENNA LOTTI: [LAUGHS] That's awesome.

JULIAN MICHAELS: And the amount of times that I think about that whole, like, nature versus nurture aspect of life is, like, just like so deep. So that, that for me, like, mm, that's got to-- that's in there for good, permanent.

JENNA LOTTI: Cool.

JULIAN MICHAELS: Despite her deep connection, Michaels chose to go with a different song. But Lotti was still able to take something away from the experience.

JENNA LOTTI: The fact that she connected with my song that much means the world to me. Because she does that for me with her music. This is crazy.

[THEME MUSIC]