Hayley Kiyoko’s epiphany arrived at an NSYNC concert.
It was exactly what she wanted, in that exact environment.
Even then it came in waves.
Kiyoko at New York City Pride in 2019.Trevor Flores
In the ’90s, there was Tracy Chapman and k.d.
Lang and the Indigo Girls, none of whom directly addressed same-sex relationships in their songs.
In the early 2000s there was t.a.t.u., “I Kissed A Girl,” and celesbian chic.
Kiyoko has garnered a devoted following, many of whom refer to her as “lesbian Jesus”.Trevor Flores
It began in 2015, when she uploaded the self-directed music video for her single"Girls Like Girls.
It was exhilarating to hear.
The ability to express herself directly was rooted in years of confusion.
Topher Shrigley
As a young girl who saw no alternative, she dreamt of being a male pop star.
I missed out on being asked out."
She funneled those feelings into her music.
That’s not something I grew up feeling."
Nor did some of her fans, who now marvel at the way they feel seen in her music.
“I consider her a hero.
She has saved so many lives.”
Instead of keeping the adoration for herself, though, Kiyoko chooses to share it with her community.
And Kiyokians are just as much a community as they are a fanbase.
It’s common for fans to attend her concerts on their own and to leave with lifelong friends.
“Now, their support gets me through the challenging times.”
Kiyoko is dreaming of the future, too.
That’s my ultimate goal in life," she says."
Does that mean transitioning out of music?
I will always make music.
If I were to direct a film, I would do the soundtrack.
To me, music isn’t excluded, because music is such a massive part of a visual.
They go hand in hand."
While she has no idea when it will be released, the project is nearing its final stages.
“This is chapter two of the beginning of Hayley Kiyoko, and I’m ready now.
I was ready before but now I’ve experienced everything.
“I feel like I’m only just getting started,” she says.
