Hayley Kiyoko, affectionately dubbed “Lesbian Jesus” by her fans, is a dynamic personality known for her work as a singer, actor, and director. Born in Los Angeles in 1991, Kiyoko has made significant strides in the entertainment industry, becoming a powerful advocate for the LGBTQ+ community through her art and personal journey.
Her career took off in 2007 when she became a member of the all-girl pop ensemble The Stunners, which featured talents like Tinashe. While navigating her early teenage years, she simultaneously embarked on an acting career, earning notable roles such as Velma Dinkley in the live-action adaptations of the Scooby Doo franchise and a teen wizard named Stevie in Disney’s The Wizards of Waverly Place. In 2011, she further solidified her presence in the Disney realm by starring in the popular Disney Channel Original Movie Lemonade Mouth.
Musical milestones and LGBTQ+ advocacy
In 2013, Kiyoko ventured into her solo career with the EP titled A Belle to Remember. Two years later, her second EP This Side of Paradise was released, featuring the anthem that would change her life: “Girls Like Girls.” This track, which debuted on June 24, 2015, was co-written with Owen Thomas and Lily-May Young and marked a significant turning point in her musical journey. Kiyoko expressed a longing to create music that resonated with her identity and experiences, leading her to write an anthem that spoke directly to the queer female experience.
As she reflected on the song’s creation, Kiyoko stated, “I wrote for the first time how I truly feel about girls,” emphasizing her desire to articulate her emotions authentically. She noted how she had gradually built a body of work that she wished she could have had during her youth, revealing a personal evolution influenced by her artistry. With “Girls Like Girls,” Kiyoko aimed to flip the narrative often seen in popular culture, where males frequently claim relationships with females, by creating a song that celebrates female desire.
Impact and recognition
The song achieved remarkable success, earning a gold certification from the RIAA for surpassing 500,000 sales. Presently, it stands as Kiyoko’s most-streamed track on Spotify, boasting over 148 million streams, a testament to its widespread appeal and significance within the LGBTQ+ community.
The evolution of a narrative: from music video to novel
Accompanying the song’s release was a captivating music video that Kiyoko co-directed with Austin S. Winchell in. The visual narrative features actress Stefanie Scott, who portrayed Coley, a girl grappling with her feelings for her friend Sonya (played by Kelsey Chow), who is entangled in a relationship with a boyfriend. Their flirtation is palpable, leading to a near-kiss at a swimming pool, which is abruptly interrupted by an act of violence from the boyfriend. In a moment of defiance, Coley retaliates, showcasing the intensity of their bond.
This music video has garnered more than 161 million views on YouTube, further cementing Kiyoko’s influence in music and visual storytelling. In, Kiyoko expanded her narrative universe by releasing a novel adaptation of the “Girls Like Girls” music video. This young adult novel, set in the 2000s, follows Coley, an Asian-American teen who relocates to a new town to live with her father. As Coley navigates her burgeoning feelings for Sonya, she also confronts the challenges of homophobia and the complexities of emerging sexuality. The book achieved notable success, reaching the New York Times Young Adult Hardcover best-seller list and holding the number one spot for seven consecutive weeks.
From screen to screen: Kiyoko’s film debut
Building on her artistic journey, Kiyoko is set to make her directorial debut with a feature film adaptation of the same narrative, slated for release on June 19, by Focus Features. The film, which Kiyoko co-wrote with Chloe Okuna, stars Maya da Costa as Coley and Myra Molloy as Sonya, alongside notable actors such as Levon Hawke and Zach Braff. The story promises to be a heartfelt coming-of-age tale, set against the backdrop of a sun-drenched summer, exploring themes of first love, self-acceptance, and the struggles of a young girl finding her place in the world.
The film’s trailer, accompanied by a fresh rendition of “Girls Like Girls,” captures the essence of Coley’s experience as she develops a connection with Sonya while also grappling with personal challenges, including the loss of her mother and the complexities of her new familial relationships. As the narrative unfolds, viewers will witness Coley’s journey towards self-discovery and acceptance.
Through her creative endeavors, Hayley Kiyoko continues to be a beacon of representation and empowerment for countless individuals, solidifying her legacy as a trailblazer in music and film.