How do you balance staying true to your artistic vision while adapting to what your fans connect with most?
At this point in my career, I’m really focused on staying true to my artistic vision—no offense to anyone, but that’s my priority right now. Of course, I appreciate what fans connect with, and it’s always great when those two things align, but I have to create what I like the most.
What’s a song you’ve written that felt like a breakthrough moment for you, and what made it so special?
One of my upcoming releases “That Girl”, felt like a turning point because it was the first time I stopped holding back. It’s me shedding the old version of myself—the one that used to people-please, dim my light, or try to fit into boxes I didn’t belong in. The lyrics are playful, even a little defiant, but they come from a real place. It’s like I’m saying, ‘Yeah, I might look like I’m doing the most—but I’m doing it for me now.’ That’s the breakthrough: owning my confidence, my voice, and my story without apology. And if that makes me a ‘fool’ in someone else’s eyes? Great. I’m better than I’ve ever been.”
How has your approach to songwriting evolved since you first started, and what’s one lesson you’ve learned that’s shaped your craft?
I’ve evolved a lot musically and personally. When I first started, I was just experimenting—figuring out my sound, trying different things, and honestly, worrying too much about what people thought. But as I grew up, I stopped caring about opinions that didn’t matter. I realized not everyone clapping is really for you, and that some people only stick around when they see profit. That taught me to trust myself more. Musically, I’ve gotten sharper—I understand my voice, my style, my message. I’m more intentional now. I don’t create to please people—I create to express the real me. And that shift has made my music way more powerful.
When you’re stuck in a creative rut, what’s your go-to method for sparking inspiration and getting back to writing?
When I’m in a creative rut, I don’t try to force anything. I give myself space to just live and feel things again. One of the biggest things that helps me is listening to other artists—especially someone like RAYE. Her honesty, her storytelling, the way she delivers emotion—it reminds me why I do this in the first place. Sometimes hearing someone else be fearless with their art pushes me to dig deeper in my own. I’ve learned that inspiration doesn’t always come from trying—it comes from being open, and letting yourself be moved.
How do you decide which stories or emotions to share through your music, and is there a topic you’ve always wanted to explore but haven’t yet?
The way I decide what to write about definitely changed once I hit 18. Before that, I’d sometimes write about things that didn’t really move me—little boy-girl drama, surface-level stuff that just wasn’t deep enough for where I was heading. I grew out of that quickly. I realized I have a real story to tell—about my journey, about navigating life, and especially the music industry. Now, if it’s not real or it’s not honest, I’m not interested in putting it in a song. I want my music to reflect what I’ve lived and what I’m still learning.
What’s been the most unexpected part of building your career as a singer-songwriter, and how has it influenced your perspective on music?
The most unexpected part has been realizing how much of this industry has nothing to do with the music itself. You think it’s all about talent and passion—but then you start seeing how much weight is put on numbers, popularity, and image. That was a wake-up call. But instead of letting it break me, it made me sharper. It reminded me why I started: for the love of the craft. It taught me to stay grounded, focus on the art, and not get caught up in the noise. Music is still sacred to me—but now I protect it differently.
