Katie Runnels Gets Real About Healing on “Imperfect Beauty”

Katie Runnels doesn’t fake it. With her new single “Imperfect Beauty,” she keeps it stripped down and straight from the soul. The song moves slow, but it hits hard — the kind of track you don’t skip halfway through because it feels like someone’s saying what you couldn’t put into words.

The Flagstaff singer, songwriter, and producer has lived enough life to know that chasing perfection is a losing game. After her debut album Reality Cloud dropped back in 2010, she stepped away from the scene and into the classroom. For years, she taught and built tools for students with ADHD, learning firsthand how much power there is in patience and understanding. That experience changed her — and it shows in every part of this comeback.

“Imperfect Beauty” blends airy electronic tones with the warmth of her voice, keeping the production light so the emotion can breathe. It’s honest, maybe even vulnerable, but never weak. Runnels sounds grounded, confident, and comfortable telling her story without dressing it up.

More than just a song, Imperfect Beauty has grown into something bigger — a platform that promotes self-acceptance, mental health, and body positivity. Katie Runnels uses her background as an educator to build real connections, proving that the same honesty that makes good music can also build stronger communities. She isn’t here chasing numbers or trying to fit into a playlist. Katie Runnels is chasing meaning. “Imperfect Beauty” reminds listeners that being real is the hardest and most beautiful thing you can do — and she’s doing exactly that.