Keep It Positive, Sweetie

Episode: "Your Will" w/ Lee Vasi
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Lee Vasi
Date: March 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie features an in-depth, vulnerable, and uplifting conversation between host Crystal Renee Hayslett and rising Christian R&B singer-songwriter-actress Lee Vasi. Against the backdrop of purpose, faith, and healing, the two dive into Lee’s unique journey through Broadway, the music industry, the challenges and beauty of spiritual transformation, and the importance of staying authentic in a world of shifting values. The discussion explores how faith, setbacks, and redemption shape self-worth and creative expression, inspiring listeners to pursue spiritual alignment, inner peace, and boldness in their calling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fashion Week Adventures & Meeting Lee ([01:06]–[03:16])

• Crystal and Lee bond over their first Fashion Week experiences—both describing it as exhausting but memorable.
• Crystal recounts a dramatic moment where her luggage (with all her day-one outfits) was lost, but underscores “The pivot is powerful” ([02:41]) and how creative quick-thinking saved the day.
• Quote: “You can’t beat a good memory, it worked out.” – Lee ([02:43])

2. Lee’s Early Life: Broadway, Family, and Performance ([03:16]–[05:52])

• Lee details growing up in Fayetteville, NC (shoutout to J. Cole) and starting theater at age 7.
• Landed the role of Young Nala in Broadway’s The Lion King at just 9, performing for 2 years.
• Emphasizes the rigorous, disciplined nature of theater and how preparation and muscle memory alleviate stage fright.
• The importance of family—her brother found her audition, her sister rescued her during an onstage mishap.
• Quote: “That was my first time. I was seven. I didn’t know what to do, but, you know, you keep going. You keep rolling with it.” – Lee ([06:05])

3. Lessons in Perseverance: On-Stage Mishaps and Life Parallels ([06:46]–[07:27])

• Both share stories about public, embarrassing mishaps (lost shoes during performances/pageants), connecting them to the broader lesson: "Just keep going."
• Resilience learned onstage carries through life and career.
• Quote: “That is something you can literally take with you for the rest of your life. Just keep going. I love that.” – Crystal ([07:27])

4. Passion for Songwriting & Shifting Creative Focus ([07:39]–[08:44])

• Lee’s interest in songwriting began early, inspired by the likes of Mariah Carey and Ne-Yo.
• By 16, she decided to focus on music over theater and film.

5. Hitting Pause: Mental Health, Spiritual Crisis, and Taking a Break ([08:44]–[10:14])

• Lee speaks candidly about burnout, mental health crises, and finding herself in toxic relationships, all while pursuing her dreams.
• She describes a downward spiral that forced her to "take a beat" and step back—a tough decision, but ultimately a transformative one.
• Quote: “God didn’t show me all the mess that would happen in between.” – Lee ([09:22])

6. College Rebellion, Spiritual Warfare & Running from Foundation ([10:14]–[14:25])

• Both Crystal and Lee discuss how college years triggered rebellion, destructive cycles, and years of “spiritual warfare.”
• Lee admits she didn’t initially have the spiritual tools to recognize what she was experiencing; she was focused and rigid as a child, and in college rebelled more against her own structure than her church upbringing.
• Finding her way back to faith was a result of reaching a spiritual low point and choosing to “reset and deconstruct to reconstruct.”
• Quote: “And at that point, that’s when I figured out what a relationship with the Lord is and who the Lord is.” – Lee ([14:25])

7. Faith Is Not One-Size-Fits-All: Fluctuating Walks with God ([14:25]–[18:26])

• Both emphasize how faith requires daily commitment, is full of ups and downs, and isn’t “cookie-cutter.”
• Open talk about backsliding, conviction, and maturing into a personal, intimate relationship with God.
• Lee and Crystal reflect on the increased presence of spiritual themes in conversation and the heaviness of conviction around choices (“I don’t want to be somewhere where my legs caught back and God come down, girl!” – Crystal, [16:58]).
• Quote: “He gives us these commandments not to restrict us, but to protect us...” – Lee ([18:19])

8. Transforming Habits: Alcohol, Surrender, and Focus ([18:32]–[23:39])

• Lee shares the story of God leading her to a TV fast, which in turn made her confront and quit drinking alcohol altogether ([21:57]).
• Obedience leads to unseen blessings: “I didn’t know what God had for me on the other side of that obedience, but I just did it. And I watched…” ([22:13])
• Both women affirm how surrendering personal vices leads to newfound focus, clarity, and spiritual empowerment.

9. Navigating Entertainment, Authenticity, and Keeping the Faith ([23:46]–[29:07])

• Crystal and Lee address the challenges of staying true to faith in secular entertainment spaces.
• They discuss how not all “fun” or “mainstream” cultural expressions align with personal convictions—but there are ways to shine God’s light without being boring or inauthentic.
• Lee stresses the importance of finding your “street”—your unique calling/focus—and being a light there.
• Quote: “Who you are in him is the real you…We think when we go to him, we’re gonna—well, yeah, we do lose ourselves, but we’re supposed to, right?” – Lee ([25:08])

10. Creating a Lane for Christian R&B: Obedience and Artistic Discovery ([29:07]–[35:35])

• Lee describes moving back to North Carolina, giving up on music, and praying for God to “reveal himself.”
• Her call to do music “for God” came through clear spiritual prompting. She discovered the Christian hip-hop/R&B scene only after following this call.
• Advice from her manager to “create new memories around your gift” helped her find joy in music again, leading to her critically acclaimed From Me to God EP.
• Quote: “I was just setting out to be obedient. And I ended up in this space and it’s a really cool place to be.” – Lee ([35:31])

11. Future Aspirations: Creativity, Representation, and Liberation ([35:38]–[36:48])

• Lee expresses her continued passion for acting, writing, producing, and especially representing the “modern, liberated woman walking with God.”
• She envisions roles and stories that showcase spiritual liberty and authenticity.

12. What’s Next for Lee? ([36:52]–[37:45])

• Lee has new music and creative projects releasing soon in 2025.
• She hopes to tour, meet fans, and expand her reach globally.

13. Rapid Fire: Fun Personal Q&A ([37:49]–[39:50])

A light, quick segment where Lee chooses between fun options. Highlights:

• Praise & Worship or Bible Study? – Praise & Worship ([38:04])
• Church boy with street edge ([38:21])
• Chanel over Hermès, lemon pepper wings over salad (“I’m in Atlanta, girl!” – Lee, [38:43])
• Natural hair or bundles? – “Bundles, I’m in my boho era.” ([39:09])
• Singing over acting. ([39:30])
• One album to listen to forever: The Emancipation of Mimi by Mariah Carey ([39:38])
• Favorite Bible verse:
  “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” – Psalm 94:19 ([39:50])
  “That verse saved my life.” – Lee

Memorable Quotes

• “The pivot is powerful.” – Crystal ([02:41])
• “God didn’t show me all the mess that would happen in between.” – Lee ([09:22])
• “I didn’t have the tools spiritually to understand that what I was going through was spiritual warfare.” – Lee ([10:33])
• “Who you are in him is the real you.” – Lee ([25:08])
• “I was just setting out to be obedient. And I ended up in this space and it’s a really cool place to be.” – Lee ([35:31])
• “Don’t let nobody condemn you. You’re doing the Lord’s work, and that’s all that matters.” – Lee ([40:18])

Key Timestamps

• Fashion Week & Lee’s Introduction: [00:00]–[03:16]
• Early Life & Broadway: [03:16]–[06:05]
• Performance Mishaps & Lessons: [06:05]–[07:27]
• Songwriting Aspirations: [07:39]–[08:44]
• Burnout & Resetting Spiritually: [08:44]–[10:14]
• College, Rebellion, and Spiritual Warfare: [10:14]–[14:25]
• Journey to Faith, Conviction & Surrender: [14:25]–[23:39]
• Art, Music, and Authenticity in Faith: [23:39]–[29:07]
• Obedience, Christian R&B, & Rediscovery: [29:07]–[35:35]
• Future Aspirations: [35:38]–[36:48]
• Upcoming Projects: [36:52]–[37:45]
• Rapid Fire Q&A: [37:49]–[39:50]
• Closing Affirmations: [40:18]–End

Closing Takeaway

Crystal closes by emphasizing that each person’s relationship with God is “unique, your own.” She encourages listeners not to compare their journey to anyone else’s and to embrace transparency and growth. Both she and Lee highlight the freedom, focus, and joy that comes from surrender, obedience, and spiritual authenticity.

Listen to this episode if you’re seeking real talk about faith, purpose, making peace with your past, and boldly walking your authentic path—no matter the distractions or setbacks.