Meet Honey Ribar | Recording Artist & Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Honey Ribar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Honey, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
My name is Honey Ribar and I was born and raised in Eagan, Minnesota. Growing up in a mid-western, christian family helped shape who I am today, not because I started here, but because I was able to return here.

I have 3 brothers, and two loving parents who have always supported my career. I grew up playing sports, attending church every Sunday, cultivating relationships, winning medals, leading National Honors Society, and performing in shows. Everything was always sunshine and rainbows in my mind… I was always in the spotlight, which eventually lead to the mindset… “I need to look the part”. I developed an eating disorder at 15 years old, which over time lead to substance and alcohol abuse.

After moving from my home town to New York, I began a career in theater and later turned to recorded music (Los Angeles, CA). During my time in Los Angeles I developed extreme anxiety and turned to alcohol and substances to numb my pain. My family never drank, which eventually made me feel like the outcast… the one who went astray. I kept asking myself… “Why am I like this? Where did it all go wrong?”

It took countless life threatening instances, a move back to Minnesota, and COVID-19 for me to decide to enter into a life of recovery. Since then, my life has never and will never be the same.

I entered recovery on July 5th, 2020 and during this time I was able to do some deep digging and lots of song writing. I had discovered the roots of my pain and began to heal them through music, creating a stability in my life unlike anything I had ever experienced. And I guess that was the issue… I never felt stability within myself. I was always so busy ‘performing’ for the world to please and to get the part because I felt like that was what made me valuable as a person. It’s not. Me being me is what makes me valuable. I bring enough to this world by being Honey, just like you are bringing enough to this world be being you. If I hadn’t returned to my roots and had the tough conversations that I needed to have with God, I wouldn’t be where I am now… aware, joyful, making music, and with fresh new perspectives.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a singer, songwriter, performer, and used music as a coping mechanism during recovery. My hope is to share my story through music and connect with those who struggle with addiction, anxiety and mental/behavioral health. I have many visions that I hope to fulfill. I have become more involved in my church (Hosanna), community (MN Teen Challenge, River Ridge, Ronald McDonald House, Visual Arts + Healing), and have been able to invest time in myself (recording, writing, releasing new music). God and the people around me are what inspire me. It’s amazing the amount of people who have opened up to me about their story after I was able to expose my truth. We are all more alike than we think. Yes, we all have a different story… this makes us unique, but we also have similarities, which creates a sense of comfort in knowing we are not alone. And that is my goal… to provide comfort in knowing that no matter what you’re going through, there’s someone there who has your back and understands you. And to give hope to those who have lost it.

Career Highlights:
Performing around Los Angeles (House of Blues, Hotel Cafe, Viper Room, The Study, The Library, State Social House)
Singing the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks, Nassau Collesium for the NY Islanders, Metrodome (when it was around) for the MN Twins, & singing for MN Gophers sporting events.
Singing at the MN State Fair Grandstand and landing the lead role in the Wizard of Oz in high school were two highlights from my early career. These two events are what pushed me to pursue singing and acting and to go to school in NY (where I would train and get my start). A highlight from my time in New York was performing in the Off-Broadway Show “One Day”. The relationships built, and the amount of knowledge I gained was incredibly eye opening, not only as an artist, but a person.

I must say though, my main highlight is getting my life back on track and writing, recording, and releasing new music.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Even though Mall of America is a tourist attraction in the Twin Cities, I think the first place I would take my friend is to Minnehaha Falls for a long walk along the river. We’d work up an appetite and head to Highland Grill across the bridge for dinner. Afterwards, we’d shop at locally owned businesses and buy fun games to take home and play for the night while making s’mores over a fire.

The next day I would have voice lessons (virtually) in the morning and they would join me to experience what my students experience. Afterwards we would head to Minneapolis and rock climb at Vertical Endeavors, followed by dinner at Umbra downtown (Moxy Hotel) and a concert at the Armory.

On Sunday I’d wake up at 6am so I’d make church rehearsal by 7am. My friend would join me for 9am & 10:45am services, followed by brunch at Mason Jar Kitchen (Eagan, MN).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Hosanna Church family is where it’s at! If it weren’t for this group of incredible individuals I would not be on the path I am today. I began worshiping on the Hosanna team shortly before I got sober. This group of people accepts me and loves me for who I am. They believe in me and have given me the opportunity not only to be a part of a community where I feel welcomed and supported, but where I get to express my love through music to the Lord. Thank you Hosanna for giving me wings to fly closer to God. I am eternally grateful!

I want to give another shout out to my producer Josh Zegan! Thank you for years of friendship, support, trust and faith in one another. Without you, I’m not sure where I would be. Grateful for you!

Website: http://www.honeyribar.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeyribar/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/honeyribar/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/honeyribar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoneyRibar/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/honeyribar

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3FIBrz14TXYH3mY543CIxX?si=DDSadQ1-TT6OOnqrXXK_nw

Image Credits
Angela Peterman Laura Ann Photography Wells Film & Photo LLC