By Zach Collier
Dinah Jane’s JUICE COUNTY: VOLUME 1 is a bold declaration of independence — a sonic snapshot of the artist embracing her roots, her voice, and her power – all on her own terms. After years of being part of the global phenomenon Fifth Harmony, the Polynesian pop star is carving out a space that’s uniquely hers, filled with authenticity, vulnerability, and unapologetic confidence.
The California native’s journey has been anything but conventional. From her breakout on The X Factor to conquering charts as a member of Fifth Harmony, Dinah Jane’s rise to fame wasn’t without its challenges. Even after the group went on hiatus in 2018, her solo releases like “Bottled Up” hinted at a successful solo venture. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing.
In an earlier conversation with internet media personality Zach Sang, Dinah Jane opened up about the pressure of navigating her identity while balancing faith and fame. She recalled grappling with the frustration of not being fully understood — whether it was her ethnicity or the tension between her public image and her personal beliefs as a Latter-day Saint.
“You can’t live and enjoy this life to the fullest if you’re living in a lie trying to please others,” she explained during my conversation with her. “Being the first Polynesian pop star used to feel like so much pressure and affected my mental health due to all the critical comments, especially at such a young age. I was literally growing up in the eye of the media. But I’ve learned to release that pressure and simply be me. I don’t hold back anymore because Polynesian stories deserve to be told: unfiltered, raw, and true.”
Since then, Dinah Jane has made peace with the internal battles that once held her back. “I spent the last few years strengthening my personal relationship with God,” Dinah Jane said. These days, she’s not afraid to slow down, spend time with family, and focus on what truly matters. When we spoke, she was on a family road trip to the Hoover Dam, soaking in the history and serenity of the moment. “The scenery is so breathtaking!” She joked that her dad, a historian, was the ultimate tour guide.
That clarity — the strength to center herself — is evident in her music. JUICE COUNTY: VOLUME 1 represents a turning point, one where Dinah Jane is no longer concerned with meeting others’ expectations. “Through this process I’ve learned to trust in my art and my craft,” she explained. “When I see little brown skin Polynesian girls singing my music and telling me they love hearing the Ukulele or Polynesian drums or seeing familiar brown queens collaborating with me in my music video ‘Ocean Song,’ it gives me this sense of pride and validation. I’m really proud of my project and myself.”
Freedom and pride are exactly what JUICE COUNTY delivers. The EP blends Dinah Jane’s powerful vocals with her deep-rooted love for reggae and island music, creating a unique island-pop sound that’s fresh because of the traditional styles she chooses to inject. Tracks like “JUST US TWO” and “YA YA” strike a perfect balance between infectious pop hooks and island rhythms, with DJ FLICT — a longtime collaborator — helping bring her vision to life.
“DJ FLICT is a brother to me at this point,” Dinah Jane said enthusiastically. “Him being Filipino, he’s really familiar with pacific islander culture and community! And the bonus part is we both come from the same city: Santa Ana, California. So we just mesh really well together. His energy is infectious and he’s the perfect hype man in the studio.”
The EP also features “ROAD LESS TRAVELED,” a song with two distinct versions: the laid-back original and a high-energy reggae remix. Both versions highlight Dinah Jane’s showcase her ability to blend different sounds while staying true to her Polynesian roots. “I love both versions,” she said. “The original feels timeless, but the reggae version just lifts the whole vibe. It’s the one I’m playing on repeat.”
As she continues to explore new sounds and concepts, Dinah Jane is excited to share more of her story with the world. JUICE COUNTY: VOLUME 1 isn’t just an album — it’s a testament to Dinah Jane’s growth — both as an artist and as a person. It’s the home she’s been searching for, where she’s free to set her own rules and create a space for other Polynesian artists to follow — no longer defined by others but standing proudly no matter what comes. “Our music comes down to the instrumentation, percussion, and our vocal harmonies,” she said.
“Tomorrow isn’t promised. So live today, and give it everything you’ve got.”
Make sure to follow Dinah Jane on Instagram. You can check out the music video for “ROAD LESS TRAVELLED” below.