JFH News: "The Voice," "American Idol" Contestant Thunderstorm Artis Shares How Discovering His Faith and Identity Led to Ultimate Healing

�The Voice,� �American Idol� Contestant Shares How Discovering His Faith and Identity Led to Ultimate Healing

Thunderstorm Artis reflects on his journey from pain and brokenness to peace and purpose in new I Am Second film

NEWS SOURCE: KC Communications
March 27, 2026

PLANO, Texas (March 27, 2026) — Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Thunderstorm Artis shares his journey of navigating trauma, pain and uncertainty and how faith in God healed his deepest wounds and unlocked his purpose in a new short film from I Am Second.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Thunderstorm grew up in a home where music was always present. While for years some of his earliest recollections of sitting beneath the piano and listening to his father play in the early morning provided a sense of peace, these memories were not enough to sustain him through his most difficult seasons of his life.

“The devil's greatest strength is convincing us that we're the only ones going through what we're going through in life,” said Thunderstorm. “He gets us out on this island where evil is alive, and it seeks to destroy that which God wants to work through."

From silently suffering after sexual assault at a young age to experiencing loneliness following the untimely death of his father, Thunderstorm eventually battled thoughts of suicide.

"I started to think there was no purpose in living or trying,” Thunderstorm said. “I was asking God, ‘If you’re real, I need you to show me, because if you’re not, then I don’t see much reason or purpose to continue to live this life.’”

In the midst of his darkest season, Thunderstorm found himself at the door of a church, where a pastor encouraged him with a message that led him to discover his true identity through a personal relationship with God. Thunderstorm credits his faith and love for music as helping him find a renewed purpose. He started writing songs and performing as a form of therapy and tool for processing his emotions. When introduced to Wicked and Crazy Rich Asians director Jon Chu, Thunderstorm’s music career began to take off. He went on to compete in both The Voice and American Idol. His experiences on the shows challenged him, ultimately teaching him the importance of being authentic to who God made him to be.

"I really fell in love with what God has given me,” said Thunderstorm. “I got to watch how God used that, and so that's when I was like I have a calling on my life, I have a mission on my life, and I need to chase this mission for as long as I can.”

Through the journey of reclaiming his identity, Thunderstorm found healing.

“I'm a project that's unfinished. I'm a project that's still broken but God uses the brokenness of man to accomplish great things,” said Thunderstorm. “For anyone out there that's going through something tough or something hard, I want to tell you that what you're going through is just a season. You have to stay strong through those seasons because better days are coming."

To learn more about Thunderstorm Artis and his journey, visit http://www.iamsecond.com/film/thunderstorm-artis. For more information about I Am Second, visit iamsecond.com.

About I Am Second

I Am Second, an initiative of e3 Partners, is a global storytelling ministry that tells stories that lift up Jesus through digital and other media and provides pathways for people to grow as a follower of Jesus. Through various discipleship resources and missions activities, I Am Second seeks to help individuals boldly pursue God’s unique calling for their lives. To learn more about I Am Second, visit iamsecond.com.

About Thunderstorm Artis

Thunderstorm Artis is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Soaring vocals meet dextrous, layered guitar and intimate storytelling that can evoke the poetic lyricism of Passenger in one song before sliding into the wrenching neo-soul of Leon Bridges in another. Artis was born and raised in a large musical family on the North Shore of Oahu, and it’s easy to find the laid-back vibe of island life effortlessly blended with the real-life experiences that inspire his music. As a Season 18 finalist on The Voice, Artis wowed audiences with both his original compositions, including quiet acoustic track “Sedona,” and loving reinterpretations of songs by artists like The Beatles and Louis Armstrong. John Legend describing his tone as “magical,” and Billboard praised his “earnest, uplifting presence.” Artis has played alongside modern icons likeJack Johnson, Train and The Zac Brown Band, as well as toured extensively with his brother, Ron Artis II. He was also a featured artist at Bottlerock Music Festival and went on to compete in American Idol (Season 23). To learn more about Thunderstorm, visit thunderstormartis.com.

**If you or someone you know needs help, please TEXT HOME to 741741 for resources and help.

###