Juice WRLD’s Mom Confronts Music Industry’s Cost Of Chasing A Dream

Juice WRLD’s mother is putting hard numbers behind the money problems and anxiety facing young people trying to build music careers. Carmela Wallace’s Live Free 999 foundation backed new MusiCares research showing most young respondents cannot comfortably pay their bills through music.

The findings, released Tuesday, examined 203 music professionals ages 18 to 24 in MusiCares’ broader 2026 Wellness in Music Survey. Among that younger group, 79% reported difficulty covering expenses through music work and nearly 69% earned $25,000 or less in total annual income.

“Jarad was my son before he was Juice WRLD, and I know firsthand how important it is to recognize when someone is struggling and help them get the care they need,” Wallace said. “His music helped so many young people feel less alone.”

“I started Live Free 999 because I wanted to make sure those young people, and the next generation of artists, have somewhere to turn for support,” Wallace continued. “We partnered with MusiCares because we wanted to understand what young music professionals and music professionals are experiencing today and not make assumptions about what they need.”

“The more we know, the more we can do to help before someone reaches a crisis,” Wallace added. The findings also showed 52% of young respondents experienced moderate to severe anxiety on a typical day.

The survey put money worries alongside the emotional pressures of entering the business. Housing, basic necessities and health care ranked among respondents’ biggest financial concerns, while finding appropriate providers and stigma remained barriers to getting help.

Wallace established Live Free 999 after losing her son in 2019 and has continued expanding its mental health work. The foundation now partners with Music Health Alliance on $1,000 grants that help emerging artists cover therapy costs.

MusiCares’ broader survey gathered responses from more than 3,300 people across the music industry. The younger participants’ responses provide a specific look at those still trying to establish themselves rather than a measure of every musician’s experience.

Live Free 999 also supports a paid Bring Change to Mind fellowship that lets high school students help shape mental health resources.