Biography
Jennifer C. Messina is an American recording artist, songwriter, actor, and Army officer known professionally as MESSINA. A genre-bending dark pop performer, she is recognized for her theatrical visuals, commanding vocals, and emotionally raw storytelling. Her music blends elements of seductive pop, cinematic melancholy, and Broadway-style drama-earning her a loyal fanbase known as the Messina Mafia.
Born in White Plains, New York and raised in New England, Messina studied voice and electronic production at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she trained under Grammy-winner Paula Cole. While still in college, she commissioned into the U.S. Army as an officer and later rose to command a Public Affairs Detachment. Her dual life as an artist and veteran deeply informs her work, which often centers themes of trauma, healing, and empowerment.
MESSINA gained attention for her viral single "No Longer Wasted," which amassed over 150,000 Spotify streams in its first week. Her catalog includes fan favorites like "Define Me," "Fall to My Knees," and "Time Heals Everything," the latter praised for its unflinching approach to mental health awareness. She has toured nationally, opened for Bravo TV's Sonja Morgan (Real Housewives of New York), and headlined events featured in Amaré Magazine.
As an actor, Messina has appeared in television and film, including background roles in HBO's Euphoria and Top Gun: Maverick. She is also the founder of Messina Glam, a gender-inclusive beauty brand, and co-owner of LGBTQ VSAP, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ veterans.
Whether on stage or screen, MESSINA is known for her signature edge, unapologetic authenticity, and fierce commitment to artistic and personal transformation.
