Tessa Violet Bio
Tessa Violet Williams (born March 20, 1990) is an American singer-songwriter, social media personality, actress, music video director, and former child model. Originally a vlogger under the username Meekakitty, she has since focused primarily on her music career and has released three studio albums: Maybe Trapped Mostly Troubled (2014), Bad Ideas (2019), and My God! (2023). Working primarily within the indie pop genre, Tessa Violet has built a reputation for heartfelt songwriting, a strong DIY visual sensibility, and a direct relationship with her audience through YouTube and live touring.
Early Life and Background
Tessa Violet Williams was born on March 20, 1990, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. She later grew up in Ashland, Oregon, where she spent much of her childhood and adolescence. While attending high school in Ashland, she took part in theatre productions, an experience that helped introduce her to performance, storytelling, and stagecraft at an early age.
Before launching her career as a recording artist, Tessa Violet worked as a child and fashion model. In 2007, while still in her teenage years, she modeled in Hong Kong and Thailand, an experience that exposed her to international travel and creative work far from her hometown. That same year, she began making daily vlogs for a school project, planting the seeds for what would eventually become a full-time creative career online.
Path to Music
In July 2006, Tessa Violet created a YouTube channel under the name Meekakitty, originally using the platform for vlogs and personal video content. She quickly built an audience through consistent uploads, comedic sketches, and collaborations with other early creators. After moving to New York City in 2009, she gained wider recognition after winning $100,000 in a YouTube competition by receiving the most comments on her video entry, a turning point that helped establish her presence on the platform.
In 2011, Tessa Violet appeared in fellow YouTube creator Nanalew’s unofficial music video for the song “Sail” by Awolnation. The video went viral and has since amassed over 370 million views, introducing her to a much larger audience and opening the door to work as a musician. On September 24, 2012, she appeared in the music video for Family Force 5’s “Cray Button” featuring Lecrae, further expanding her visibility in the music world before she released her own debut project.
Tessa Violet Career
Early Career (2006–2013)
Tessa Violet launched her YouTube channel in 2006 under the username Meekakitty, initially sharing vlogs and personal content while still a teenager. Her early online work, including modeling-related video projects from her time in Hong Kong and Thailand, helped her develop the storytelling instincts that would later define her music videos.
Her first widely recognized music-adjacent project came in 2011 with her appearance in the viral “Sail” fan video, followed by a featured role in Family Force 5’s “Cray Button” video in 2012. These appearances helped position her at the intersection of YouTube culture and the indie music scene, setting the stage for her transition into releasing original music.
Breakthrough (2014–2018)
Tessa Violet released her first album, Maybe Trapped Mostly Troubled, on March 18, 2014. The album was produced by Seth Earnest at Maker Studios, with John Zappin serving as A&R. Despite receiving limited attention from traditional media outlets, the record debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and sold 5,000 copies in its first three months, a strong result for an independent online artist.
On September 16, 2016, Tessa Violet released the lead single “Dream” from her EP Halloway, and the full EP followed on October 14, 2016. She released music videos for every song on the project, reinforcing her reputation as a hands-on visual creator. These releases marked her evolution from vlogger into a fully formed independent recording artist.
Notable Works and Milestones
Tessa Violet is best known for her three studio albums: Maybe Trapped Mostly Troubled (2014), Bad Ideas (2019), and My God! (2023). Her 2019 single “Crush” was featured on YouTube’s Artist On The Rise program and its accompanying music video surpassed 103.69 million views by January 2024. Across her career, she has toured internationally, opened for artists including Cavetown and Half Alive, and built a YouTube channel with more than 1.85 million subscribers and 259.9 million views.
Career Highlights (2018–2023)
In 2018, Tessa Violet began work on her second album, Bad Ideas, with the lead single “Crush” arriving on June 15, 2018. The album was ultimately released on October 25, 2019, via the label T∆G Music, containing 11 tracks including the singles “Crush,” “Bad Ideas,” “I Like (the idea of) You,” and “Games.” She supported the release with The Experience tour.
On February 15, 2022, Tessa Violet released “Yes Mom,” the first single from her third studio album, and later released “Breakdown” on June 1, 2022, alongside the announcement of her Rise of the Phoenix tour with openers Will Joseph Cook and Daysormay, which ran from August to October 2022. On June 9, she released the single “My God!” and announced her third studio album My God!, which was released on July 14, 2023. She then embarked on My God! The Tour in the United States and Europe from July to September 2023, with Frances Forever opening.
Tessa Violet Upcoming Projects
On January 6, 2026, Tessa Violet announced her fourth studio album, There Will Be Joy, and released the first single “Knowing,” produced by Cavetown. As of 2025, she continues to release new music and tour internationally while maintaining an active presence as a creator, director, and performer.
Personal Life
Tessa Violet Williams is known publicly by the nickname Meekakitty, the username she adopted when she first launched her YouTube channel in 2006. She plays vocals, guitar, piano, and ukulele, and cites artists such as Lorde, Bleachers, Lily Allen, Taylor Swift, Cavetown, Julia Michaels, and Fun among her influences.