From Silence to Song: Chalyse Alapa’s Unbreakable Faith
Growing up on the small island of Oahu, surrounded by ocean waves and vibrant culture, Chalyse Alapa always knew music would be part of her life. What she didn’t know was how much it would test her strength, her faith, and her identity.
Born with a hearing challenge that doctors said would prevent her from singing, and later facing an industry that asked her to compromise her values for fame, Chalyse’s path was anything but easy.
Yet, through every challenge, she held on — to her beliefs, to her dreams, and to the power of music. Her story isn’t just about talent; it’s about resilience, courage, and what it truly means to live with faith in a world that often demands otherwise.
Born with a challenge
Music was always at the center of family life. Her parents, both musicians, met while performing at the Polynesian Cultural Center at BYU–Hawaii. When Chalyse was born without her left ear, doctors warned her family she would probably not be able to speak very well and definitely would not be able to sing.
Determined to defy those odds, her parents enrolled her in speech therapy and started her education early. Out of all her siblings, Chalyse began speaking the earliest — around nine months old.
As she grew, she never felt different. She joined her family in performances and traveled with them, embracing a musical life that once seemed impossible.
Facing industry pressures
At age 11, Chalyse began traveling to California with her sisters to record music. Without a clear direction at such a young age, they trusted producers to guide them. One producer presented them with a choice: if they wanted fame, they would need to compromise — sing inappropriate songs, wear revealing clothes.
Growing up in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chalyse knew her standards. With her father’s support, they decided to walk away. They stopped going to Los Angeles and focused instead on the music they wanted to create: gospel, church music, Polynesian music, and eventually pop and R&B.
Later, they connected with Strive to Be, formerly known as EFY Music, and recorded several youth albums between 2020 and 2024. While serving a mission, Chalyse would hear songs she had recorded and reflect on how her music had come full circle, blessing the lives of other missionaries and youth around the world.
One of the albums Chalyse contributed to with Strive to Be.
Building a life around faith and music
Chalyse served her mission in Scottsdale, Arizona, Spanish-speaking. Throughout her mission, music remained a powerful part of her spiritual journey. Singing hymns, sharing music with others, and remembering the songs she had recorded before her mission helped strengthen her testimony and deepen her connection to the gospel. Music was not just a talent — it became a way for her to express her faith and bring peace to others, reinforcing the values she had carried with her since childhood.
A new chapter: from performer to manager
After years of performing, her vision began to shift. In 2023 and 2024, she joined a Christian music tour, experiencing life on the road. This tour provided a clean, supportive environment without alcohol or drugs, reinforcing her commitment to living her values.
Growing up, Chalyse admired musicians on tour buses, dreaming of one day living that lifestyle. Touring affirmed her love for the music industry but sparked a desire to move into management, supporting artists from behind the scenes.
Family connections inspired this new path as well — her cousin was a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony alongside Camila Cabello. Watching her cousin navigate fame fueled Chalyse’s desire to help artists handle the pressures of the spotlight.
Her family’s move from Hawaii to Utah opened the doors that made her career possible. In Hawaii, opportunities were limited. Utah provided better education, greater music prospects, and a chance to grow.
For Chalyse, music is more than melodies and lyrics — it’s a testament to resilience, faith, and the courage to stand firm in a world that often asks for compromise. Her journey shows that true strength comes from knowing who you are and holding fast to your beliefs, even when the path is hard. In staying true to her values, Chalyse not only built a career — she became a reminder that faith, perseverance, and being a strong woman can inspire others to find their own voice and walk their own path with confidence.
