Justine Skye, a Brooklyn-born singer, actress and social media maven; is a budding talent who’s been on everyone’s radar lately. The 25-year-old singer, songwriter and actress has been steadily making a name for herself in the industry since she was a teenager. Talented as she is beautiful, Skye’s quarter of a century on earth is packed with triumph, beauty, wisdom and life lessons you didn’t know she had in her. Once nicknamed “the purple unicorn” for her signature purple hair, Skye has switched up her image, style and even her perspective.

In honor of the star being featured in the “Living on Purpose” workshop this weekend as part of REVOLT Summit x AT&T’s “Summit Saturdays,” check out these seven facts you might not have known about Justine Skye.

1. Her career started when she was just a teenager.

The up-and-coming R&B singer first began her rise as a teenager when her song “Everyday Living” appeared in the lineup on BET’s “106 & Park” in 2013. Her seven-track EP of the same name caught the attention of Atlantic Records, who eventually offered her a record deal.

2. She’s got tons of West Indian pride.

Justine was born in Brooklyn to Jamaican parents. She is extremely proud of her background, and visits frequently to see extended family members, which include her grandparents. “I grew up going to Jamaica all the time,” she told Teen Vogue in an August 2019 interview. “We have a house there, great properties. So we go…and it keeps my grandparents happy.” Her Caribbean roots are also apparent in much of her music, which you can hear in tracks like “Secrets” and “Bulletproof.”

3. Music will always be her first love.

During an interview with Refinery29, the Brooklyn-born songstress revealed that she’s been making music since she was 17 years old. Now in her mid-twenties, she’s often discouraged to continue to pursue a career in music. “For a while, people have been saying I should give up music, which can be discouraging to most,” says the 25-year-old. “For me, it’s just motivation. It’s all about the journey. And I think all these trials and tribulations create a story of longevity instead of something that’s here today and gone tomorrow. That’s what I’m in this for.”

4. Skye was once a Roc Nation signee.

The singer was once signed to Atlantic Records as well as Roc Nation. After leaving the former label, she’s now rocking as an independent artist, which she says is a better fit for her. “I’m realizing that I manifested being independent and just being able to be free in my art instead of being so confined,” she told VIBE in 2019.

5. She’s a beauty boss in her own right.

Among many of her enviable attributes, Skye is admired for her gorgeous looks. Her impressive genetics have even landed her several beauty deals including a collaboration with Black-owned cosmetic brand The Lip Bar for her very own “An Island Gyal Collection.” Back when she was known for rocking purple hair, she became a brand ambassador for Dark & Lovely’s Passion Plum hair color. She also collaborated with M.A.C. on a signature iridescent powder that went flying off the shelves.

6. Skye and Kylie Jenner were once BFFs.

At one point, Skye was one of Kylie Jenner’s closest friends. The pair was photographed hanging out all over Los Angeles, and Skye even lent her face to a couple of ads for Kylie Cosmetics. Somewhere along the way, their friendship fizzled out. When asked about her estranged friend on “The Breakfast Club,” Skye refrained from going into detail about Jenner. Instead, she simply stated, “You grow up and you go in different paths.”

7. In 2018, Skye bravely opened up about her experience as a domestic abuse survivor.

Skye told Rap Up that her popular single “Build” was inspired by a toxic relationship that was marred by domestic violence. “[The relationship lasted] six months. It got really intense very fast,” she revealed. “The obsessiveness that every girl wants, a lot of girls think are cute in the beginning. I thought it was cute in the beginning…you think, ‘He really loves me.’ Then, it started to get physical.” She also said that the goal of speaking out was to “make sure women are conscious of the signs and understand they deserve way more.” Though she was initially reluctant to publicly identify her abuser, she later revealed in a tweet that it was rapper Sheck Wes.