*Recording artist and actress Jeannie Ortega is a contributor to BreatheCast who shares her experiences in the music industry, becoming a Christian artist, life in the public eye, and transforming into a Christian. In 2007 she ignited her way onto the Billboard Charts with her hit "Crowded." Now, years later she is transitioning her way into Christian music.

Christian singer Stacie Orrico's cross over into pop mainstream success might very well have been the reason I was encouraged, as a young singer myself, to become a Christian.

When I first heard of the artist Stacie Orrico I was 16-years-old in high school and recording my debut pop album for major Disney label Hollywood Records. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, in a violent home, made every moment of my life a desperate cry for positivity in hopes to keep my sanity. Music was always the tool God used to reach me before I came to have a relationship with him.

It was my best friend, Giselle that handed me a copy of Orrico's 2003 self-titled second album. It was the first time that I had ever heard of a contemporary Christian artist. Another young pop artist was not what intrigued me about Orrico, I was more so in awe of the fact that she was outspoken about her faith and I myself was beginning to pursue my journey with God.

Orrico's album was a perfect blend of pop love/break-up and Christian songs for someone who loved God, but was not immersed in church culture. After being introduced to the singer's music I became specifically intrigued with Orrico's songs, "(There's Gotta Be ) More To Life," "Instead," and "Strong Enough."

Her album made me think about God and the fact that I could have a relationship with Him. Some of her songs challenged me to want to become a better person. Although I signed a nearly half million dollar deal and was living out my dreams, I believed, like Orrico's song, that there had to more to life.

I originally sought out to do music because I saw by experience the impact music had on people's lives. When I finally got my deal and saw what fame required of me, my goals sifted from wanting to give people what they needed, to wanting to give people what they wanted and with that came compromise. God used music to help save my life at a very tender age, but I was bombarded with the Hollywood life so it was not until years later that I truly surrendered my life to God's will for me.

All the while God was wooing me and Orrico's songs became part of the playlist of my teenage life. Hearing Gospel songs from Destiny's Child and Mariah Carey and seeing Orrico openly speak about God on MTV were really instrumental in the beginning of my Christian walk.

Orrico went on to achieve sales worldwide of over 3.5 million for her self-titled album and years later in 2006 she released her third album, Beautiful Awakening. That was the same month that my debut album finally came out. Although I certainly was not a Christian artist, I was not afraid to mention God in my music and it probably was because I saw other young women not afraid to mention Him.

Now, a lot of success and life changing experiences later, I since left the secular pop scene and I'm gearing up to release my first official Christian/pop album. Although not sure if Orrico is doing Christian music or not, she recently announced that after a long hiatus she is currently living in New York City pursuing acting and working on a new album set for a 2014 release.

I wrote this article flashing back to the impact that one artist's positive message made in my life.

View the videos of the songs that impacted my life for Jesus below: