Janelle Arthur: The Story Behind “Who You Ask,” Identity, Faith & Letting Go

In this special episode, we sit down with Janelle Arthur for one of her most personal conversations yet — even while fighting off a cold and keeping things under 30 minutes. Janelle opens up about her new solo-written and solo-produced song “Who You Ask,” a piece born from a season of wrestling with identity, judgment, exhaustion, surrender, and faith.

This isn’t a “polished Nashville co-write.”

It’s real.

It’s raw.

It’s her internal dialogue turned into music.

What started as fragmented lines written in the car, the shower, and late-night moments of self-reflection became the most literal and vulnerable song she has ever released — and she tells us exactly how it happened.

In This Episode, Janelle Shares:

• Why she almost “grieved” her career and let go of forcing outcomes

• The shocking moment when a venue criticized her outfit and sparked the first line of the song

• How people judge her in completely opposite ways — sometimes celebrated, sometimes dismissed

• The tension of being “the new girl” to some and “old news” to others

• Why she stopped writing for the industry and wrote this one for her soul

• The fear of releasing a solo-written track with no one to blame if people don’t like it

• How her faith keeps her grounded in purpose rather than pressure

• The difference between who she was on American Idol and who she is today

• Her favorite career memory involving Dolly Parton — and her daughter’s surprising due date

• What she hopes she never forgets as she moves into music, film, and motherhood

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, judged, mislabeled, or unsure of where you fit — this conversation is for you. Janelle’s honesty is refreshing, grounding, and deeply relatable. “Who You Ask” is more than a song; it’s a mirror for anyone navigating identity in a noisy world.

Stream Janelle’s new single “Who You Ask” on all platforms — and follow The Chris & Sandy Show for more up-close conversations with artists, actors, creators, and rising stars.