Kelly Monrow on “Fighter,” Finding Strength in Simplicity
Kelly Monrow’s latest single “Fighter” strips everything down to the essentials — her voice, her words, her truth. Originally the first song she ever recorded after deciding to pursue music, it now returns as a powerful statement of quiet resilience.
Written by Mike Gonsolin and Lee Ann McCollum and produced by Mike G, “Fighter” pairs raw emotion with minimalist production and an intimate video where Kelly Monrow faces the camera unguarded. The moment she dedicates the song to her late cousin transforms it from personal reflection into universal healing.We caught up with Kelly to talk about vulnerability, strength, and the journey that brought “Fighter” full circle.
- “Fighter” feels like a song that comes from a very real place. What made you want to release it now, after holding onto it for so long?
This was the very first song I ever sang on, so it almost felt like a practice song, but I always thought it was so powerful the way my voice came through for the first time so raw and real and I loved the lyrics. I did not write this song. It’s actually the only song that I’ve ever not written that I’ve sung on. I decided to finally put this song out because it was the very beginning of my journey and I’ve been a fighter ever since.
- The track was the first you ever recorded when you chose to dedicate yourself to music. How did that moment set the tone for everything that followed in your career?
This song has been the epitome of my journey in music so far it’s literally just about creating putting it out not caring and getting back up getting back into the fight getting back into the ring making another song and choosing to just keep getting back up, hit after hit slump after slump this is the epitome of being an artist.
- You worked with Mike Gonsolin and Lee Ann McCollum — what was that collaboration like in the studio? Did the song change much from its original form?
My Gonsolin and my G are the same person. He was the producer and writer on the song he wrote it with Lee Ann. He was super cool to work with he made me feel really comfortable and safe in that space which means a lot.
- The production is incredibly stripped-back, which lets your voice and message lead. Was that simplicity always the goal, or did it evolve naturally through the process?
I think it naturally evolved into that, but Mike also really wanted my voice to shine so that was all his production. He did an amazing job.
- As someone who’s transitioned from acting to music, do you find that your background in film and TV influences how you approach a performance — even one as raw as the “Fighter” video?
I do a video from almost every song you make and it’s my favorite part of it of bringing the music to life and sometimes I will even write thinking about the soundtrack to a movie.
- The video itself feels intimate, almost like a confession. How did you prepare for something that vulnerable in front of the camera?
It kind of just comes to me. I don’t think too much about what the video will be like. I just have an idea that pops in my head and then I execute. - At the end of the video, you speak about your cousin who passed away from cancer — a powerful moment of honesty. How did it feel to connect that personal memory to the larger message of resilience?
Very inspiring. I think about all the people that I’ve been struggling with their health or addiction or loss or some form of trauma and just the human condition of suffering. I think to be able to rise above and get back up wipe your face off and get back in the ring is the magic of life.
- Your debut album Scars of Venus explored strength and self-discovery. In what ways does “Fighter” continue that journey — or rewrite it?
Music is such a mirror for me. It’s extremely challenging to keep going to come up with new material to not take it too seriously and to just keep creating because I absolutely love it. You can’t let the little things get in the way and stop you from creating so it’s just been a continued evolution of my journey.
- The song’s message — that strength can be quiet — feels especially relevant today. How do you personally stay grounded and keep your artistic voice authentic in a world that often rewards noise?
Just have to really listen to your intuition and trust yourself and when I get a download on thought or action, I execute I don’t let things get in the way too much. I try to create from a place of fun and play and not take it too seriously. - Finally, if you could describe “Fighter” in just one sentence — not as a song, but as a feeling — what would it be?
Self love and discovering all the things about yourself when you’re at your lowest point and the rich reward of never giving up.
