Joy Elizabeth Williams planned on a career in journalism or family therapy. Instead, however, the Californian resident signed with Reunion Records and released her debut project in July 2001. She grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains located on the central coast of California, where her father, Roger Williams, served as the executive director of Mt. Hermon Christian Conference Center. Williams says that living in an environment that hosted prominent spiritual leaders led her to become "a learned extrovert." During high school, Williams excelled and was often labeled a super achiever. She maintained a 4.0 GPA while also filling the roles of varsity athlete and student body president. At the age of 14, Williams was offered a recording contract. Yet, she turned down the opportunity for a normal childhood. When a second recording contract was presented to her two years later, she signed. After putting the pen to paper, Williams experienced a hectic senior year of high school. While attending school, she also recorded her debut album and performed on two major tours.