Drama Queens - Hayley Kiyoko

Episode Date: June 3, 2026

Hayley Kiyoko turned her pop anthem “Girls Like Girls” into a best-selling novel and now a hotly anticipated feature film. But the 10-year struggle to see this movie get made only strengthened Hayley's resolve to ensure queer, female stories are shared loudly and proudly. Find out how Hayley went from Disney Channel star to "Lesbian Jesus" and why a recent Coachella performance became a magical, full-circle moment. "Girls Like Girls" is in theaters on June 19th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Hi, everyone. It's Sophia. Welcome to Work in Progress. Welcome to this week's Work in Progress, friends. It is June. It is Pride. Ooh, and we have some queer joy on the show today.

Our guest is none other than Haley Kiyoko, one of my favorite voices, one of my fellow Angel City FC, lifelong supporters, and one of the coolest artists that I know. Long before she became a defining voice for queer storytelling, she was navigating incredibly early career success as a Disney Channel star. But like so many of us, fear of scrutiny made her shrink herself, even with all of those amazing achievements.

But that changed when she turned 24. Haley released a song, Girls Like Girls, that centered on, celebrated, and championed queer love. And instead of judgment, she found an audience that accepted her and saw themselves in her. And it marked a point where her identity shifted from something private and complicated to something public and powerful. And what has followed is an incredibly beautiful and rare kind of creative evolution. The same story from the song has grown into a number one New York Times bestselling novel and now a feature film that Haley co-wrote and directed. What many people don't know is that it took 10 years to get this movie to the stage of being made. But along the way she never gave up, she went from feeling pressure to tone herself down to being absolutely embraced.

And I know my younger self feels healed, watching her do that. I imagine many of yours do too. Let's dive into this whole creative path with our friend Haley Keoko. I'm so excited and I'm so happy you're here. I think about all of the cool overlap you and I are lucky enough to have as creatives, as sports fans, as Angelinos, like all the things. We do have a lot comment. Yeah. And I mean, and you even more so than me. I mean, like I, you know, I've been in the public sphere since, I don't know, a week after my 21st birthday. You've been in it since you were a kid. But I'm actually really curious even before. Like from this vantage point in your life, when you have so beautifully talked about how all the things you didn't know we're going to line up

have and you know you look back at your younger self and you wish she knew these things i wonder do you think if you had the sort of like freaky friday experience and you could hang out with your eight-year-old self today would you see yourself in her do you think she would see herself in you totally and that's i mean love freaky friday but that would be so odd staring at my younger self But I definitely feel like, like most people, my younger self motivates and drives me of like what I want in my life and what I've always dreamed of having. And so I definitely feel like if young Haley could know what I was up to, she would be like, oh my gosh, I'm going to be so cool when I grow up. And I just had no foresight whatsoever. I felt very hopeless about being able to truly like thrive as myself when I was so young. So I feel like it would be such a cool thing for

her to see. That's really cool. Where do you feel like your understanding, you know, not just as a kid who wanted to be creative or make art or who was. curious about the world, but as a queer kid, do you have the ability to look back at any moments in your childhood and go, oh, there it was. That's when I knew, or maybe that's what I should have known. Like, there were signs. Oh, yeah. It was very, um, I was, it's weird because I didn't have the tools or the language, but I knew who I was from, I think my first grade teacher, I was, like, in love with and I was six or something. Oh my gosh.

It's five or six. But I knew, but I didn't know. I just knew that how I felt was wrong from what society told me and that no one else felt that way. So that was like, I think that's why my, you know, everyone has their own journey with their sexuality and their queerness and mine I carried throughout my adolescence. and it was definitely something that I was having to navigate. And my parents are super supportive now,

but it wasn't like we were having open conversations or reading books with two moms or like having, hey, like life could look like this or could look like this. And so I really was on my own navigating those feelings and knowing that I was a lesbian and I was only interested in girls. And it really kind of dominated my experience through all school, you know, all the school. That's so interesting. It's like trying to sort of figure it out even for myself in adulthood in terms of what I knew and maybe what I wasn't picking up on as a kid, it's really hilarious to me.

like the levity comes in. Like we were just watching clips of all the home movies with Ash and my family. And she was like, look at this little lesbian. Like you have always been like an elder. You can see it now. Yeah. And it just like we were cackling. And it's so interesting to me because I've also really had to look back at the lens of

queerness in terms of, of course, the portion of it that is your sexual identity. but queerness is like a total identity also you know the kinds of friendships you build the way you see the world the way you're you are inherently more solutions oriented creative inclusive like and i don't know there's all these moments now that i look at and i go like oh were we focusing on my obvious neurodivergence or was all my oddity oddity like difference put into oh her brain why you're differently. I'm like, yeah, and I'm also queer a shit. You know? All these epiphany is like, oh my gosh. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I feel like so many people can

resonate with your experience and so many people can probably resonate with mine and I was very overt. Like my friends called me Mowgli and I wouldn't wear a shirt and I refused to wear a dress and I was just very gay. You were very Bermuda shorts. Yes. Yes. So, yeah, I don't have like, oh, but I think my experience was more like I was experiencing it in real time. And I was like, how do I hide myself?

How do I make myself smaller? How do I fit myself in this box? And if I want to be successful in this industry, you know, when I was young, there was like, Ellen DeGeneres and maybe a handful of people that were like in the public eye. I remember when the, I forget, it was like a magazine cover and it was like, I'm gay. It was like Ellen's face or something. And I was just like, is this what my life is going to be? And I remember being terrified of just that, that vulnerable feeling that was brewing inside

of me, like, what does it look like in pop culture and in the mainstream when you're wanting to really be yourself and be an artist and express yourself. Yeah, and can you do that safely? I mean, Ellen was one of the most famous comedians in the world and she lost her job. Yeah. I think people forget that. Like, that's what we grew up with. Yeah. And it's weird. Even, you know, I don't know, you were saying your journey with your parents has become pretty great. Like, even for my mom, she was sort of like, oh, I remember girls you had crushes on and boys, you had crushes on, but like, our community was so gay, were you just never around enough lesbians? Like, did we raise you around mostly gay men and you never saw yourself? And that's like

the sweetest question that your mom who's in her late 70s can ask you in your early 40s. But it was kind of interesting because I realized, unlike our friend group now, I was like, oh yeah, You basically had, like my mom's best friend from childhood, Linda, who had like a high and tight military buzz cut and rode a Harley or like Ellen. I didn't see, I didn't see queer girls like us. You didn't see the whole spectrum. Yeah, the whole rainbow. I didn't really see myself, like necessarily anywhere. And then my job was to be an actor. So I just played other people all the time anyway. And that's a real mind-fucked for another day. Totally. But I wonder for you, like, knowing so early, rather than going, oh, something about me is a little different, you were like, this is the thing about me that's different. Like, I'm in love with her. How was the experience in terms of figuring out how to talk about that? Because you were also raised in L.A. by really artistic parents. Like, I think we were much luckier than kids who had to figure this out in small town, Iowa.

but even with a supportive family, you're talking about how you felt so much pressure to hide. Do you think that was just that inherent societal behavior that you saw that made you feel like you wouldn't be so safe? Totally. I mean, I think it's weird to look back at how loud society is and the narratives that society feeds you. And, you know, like I said, even going back to like children. books and even going back to going to school and not seeing, you know, two moms picking up a kid or like

just representation as a whole. Whether you grow up in L.A. or Iowa, obviously they're very different experiences. The fact is, is most cultures are not accepting of queer people and religions. And the list goes on. And so that we all have something in common where you're having to navigate wanting to be your authentic self and you deserve to be your authentic self and it's like how do I do that where especially when you're a kid and you have to live at home or you you are not able to find a safe space as you're a in survival because you need a roof over your head um and you're just trying to get through so then you can eventually find your people and then hopefully in your 20s and 30s But obviously my goal in creating art and books and directing is,

is for people to not have to wait for their 20s or 30s or 40s, their authentic selves. And like, know that there's so many people out there, even if you're not surrounded by them specifically at your school, you know, or your community. And so that's really important to me. Yeah. I think it's so, it is so crucial because to your point, like,

No kid is going to read the animated book about the two gay penguin dads and be like, oh, this book made me gay. But a little gay kid will read that book and go, oh, that's the family I'm going to have someday. And that's the difference. Like when you talk about inclusion or representation, and we do deserve more of that. Like maybe it wouldn't take us so long to figure things out, not just as individuals, but I think as a society, if everyone could just see themselves somewhere.

And that wasn't, for some reason, threatening to people who've literally always had every piece of media be about them. Yeah. You know, it's so weird. Our existence is not taking anything away from other people's existence. And I think that's really fascinating that that's become a narrative. Yeah. We'll be back in just a minute after a few words from our... favorite sponsors.

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Stream us on your phone. Or listen now at IHartPriq. Radio.ca. I remember when Girls Like Girls came out. I remember being like, okay, okay, girl. I was like, this is so good. And thinking about you being 24, having come from the Disney Channel, I mean, it's success, sure, but it's also pressure to be that sort of perfect kid.

What was it like the night before the song was going to hit? you excited? Were you scared? Did you like go to sleep early? Did you sleep at all? Like, I'm so curious how you felt before it was out in the world. Well, it was, well, to back, back up, my Disney experience is very different from other people because my Disney experience, I had a short pixie cut. I looked like a homosexual and I was on Wizards for a short period and I basically looked gay. So I had a very different experience from other people who, like, grew up on Disney. Fair, fair, fair. But the night before Girls like Girls, it was a really interesting experience because I really struggled

finding an outlet to support the music video and premiere it. And at the time, like, it was always about who's going to premiere the music video, you know? Who's going to premiere on YouTube? Is it nylon? Is it this? Is it that? and nobody raised their hand. And I had just gone through weeks of just rejection and people being like, this is, you know, the classic word, which I absolutely hate in referencing lesbians, the word risque, like, you know, this is too, this is too risque.

This is, we're not, you know, comfortable with this. And so the only person who rose their hand up was AOL. Shut up. I didn't even know AOL was around still. So it was like, hey, so my team was like, hey, so we got a premiere and it's AOL. I was like, AOL still exists? I was talking about AOL. I was like AOL.com?

And they were like, yes. And I was like, well, iconic. Great. So funny enough, they premiered the music video. And the night before, I was really scared. I was really nervous. And I didn't put myself in the music video just as like, because I just wasn't ready to like fully put myself out there. I was just kind of putting myself out there with the song.

And I was really nervous, honestly. And at that time, I had like 9,000 subscribers on YouTube. And it was just kind of my last hurrah. And I put it out. and yeah, it turned into something I never thought it would. Honestly, I was so terrified. I was so terrified, especially because I wasn't feeling the support from, you know, my industry. And I think that that's kind of like a through line.

Obviously, I've had very supportive people. I've had other yeses, but most of my experience in my career, everything that I've created, it's made people feel uncomfortable or, it hasn't been done before or they're not sure. And it's like that has just been like my life, my journey as a musician. And so I've really become comfortable with that response because that's just been my journey from day one. How do you think you learn to settle into that though?

Like when when the response, even in success is laden with so. much rejection. How do you learn to navigate that? Like, what do you trust in yourself to push through until the actual yes comes? Well, I mean, that's really layered into the movie experience that I had where basically, like, I did the music video in 2015. The reaction obviously went viral and was really wonderful. And then I was like, okay, maybe I can, you know, direct a movie and tell the story. And And that started a 10-year journey of nose. And there were so many heartbreaks and I battled with my mental health a lot because I felt, I think when you get so many nose, you're feeling crazy and you're feeling very alone

on this island. And you're like, am I crazy? Am I missing something? Like you're trying to be smart. like, okay, if everyone's saying no, like, what am I missing here? You know, is it me or is it just I haven't found the right yes? And so you start to go a little nuts. And so my journey trying to get this movie made did make me a little nutso.

Because I think, to answer your question, the thing that grounded me and propelled me were the fans, where if I can't do this, then no one else is going to be able to do this. So I have to do this. And I, that was like literally my anchor. Like every time I wanted to give up, every time I had to restart the process and find different producers and, you know, rethink everything. I had to be like, if I give up, then we don't get this. Yeah. And period.

And so that was kind of, you know, my fans were without them knowing they were the motivation because I've really, I'm not a religious person, but spiritually I've felt. that my purpose in life has been to get this story made and put on the big screens. Like, I've really truly believed that that has been, that, like, I'm going to do more, but that is, like, number one, the most important thing for me to do. Yeah. Well, what does that feel like knowing this is happening? Because, you know, for our friends at home, if they don't know the full journey, you expanded from the song, like from this core idea, you expanded Girls Like Girls Like Girls into

casual brag on your behalf here, a New York Times bestselling novel. Thank you so much. And, you know, I'm just like, she did it. And that is such a huge feat. And we are in a moment where in our world, you know, our creative world, our industry, people want existing IP. They want an adaptation. So was writing the novel partially a stepping stone to get to making the film? Or did you figure like if I write the novel, then it's IP and then also I essentially just get to adapt my own novel into my movie? The novel play was my Hail Mary.

It was the movie was not getting made. It was not going anywhere. and I was like, you know, I've had to make so many sacrifices, just even developing the screenplay and the idea. Yeah. It's like, you know what? I'm just going to write my $20 million version of this story. And if the movie never gets made, at least this book will exist in people's libraries

or kids will have access to the audiobook. And, like, that was like my helm area of, like, at least this will exist. And maybe if it is successful, that will help propel the conversation forward to making the movie because I was saying, you know, Taylor Jenkins read, all these incredible writers getting there, like you said, like Hollywood loves an IP. So I was just like, well, I'm just going to pivot again and try this and see if this works. And if it doesn't, at least I've completed my mission, which is to tell a hopeful queer story and, you know, sharing my most authentic self through that. And so I released the book in 2023 and it became a New York Times bestseller. And it led to my green light at the end of that year. It's so good.

Never give up. If the door is not opening, you pivot and you build in the window. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So that's kind of what the book was. It's also not lost on me that as an artist, like the amount of rejection we deal with in general. And by the way, like that's being lucky enough to be artists to pay our bills making art.

Like what? That's already insane. Which is already so hard. It's already so hard. Yeah. And I think about. you know, it's like people get to know you and they go like, oh, you're a little neurotic or like, wow, you really are mean to yourself. You're like, do you see what my existence is in the world?

Like I always say, and maybe this is just to get ahead of the cesspool that is the internet, but I'm like, oh, nobody's meaner to me than me. Right. Like you don't have to try. We're so hard. Yeah, we're so hard on ourselves. I already got it. I got that on lock. to do what you've done requires so much steadfastness, such a willingness to continue through doubt, through the things that are so hard. Yeah. So what were some of the things you were doing to bring yourself joy? I mean, casual, you obviously fell madly in love with the right person.

So, like, that's a gorge bonus of the last 10-year journey. But like, were you like, okay, if I do a date night a week with her, that'll keep my head on straight. Were you like, I got to go outside and get the sun on my face within 10 minutes of waking up? Are you like a walker? What's your thing to like keep yourself in joy while you're working so hard at something? I love nature. So I think, you know, my mom always says change is as good as a rest. So even if you can't just recline, just changing your environment.

is stressful. And so that very much resonates with me. So like going for walks, feeling the sun on my face, there were periods of time trying to get this movie made where I had so much anxiety. I was so depressed and, you know, going to the ocean if you have access to water or even if you don't have access to water, like taking a bath. I never was a bath person, but I became a bath person during the process of this. trying to get this film made.

And so those are like really nice resets. And, you know, obviously I met Becca in 2018. I was three years into that process, you know? Yeah. And so I also, it's hard because it's like, okay, I want to direct a movie and make a movie, but how do you even do that? And so you're trying to just keep, you're trying to continue to move forward. And so in 2018, I released my first album and I went on tour and I just tried to like keep

myself out there while I was dealing with, you know, legal stuff and figuring out how, who was going to pay for it, how, who was going to like support this film. And so, yeah, it's just a lot of juggling. But for me, it's just, you know, the sun on my face about journaling is huge for my mental health and therapy. My therapist got me through it. You and me both, sister. Like what I would do without my therapist, I do not know. Yeah. What, you know, obviously it's a big journey and people only see a portion of it. Like, I love, I referenced it when you first jumped on the Zoom, but it's like all the fans

started calling you lesbian Jesus. I know we loved that. I know you've said you loved it. Like, what were some of those joyful moments along the way, like you said, that kept you going? And can you give us the backstory on the nickname for the folks who are just learning it today? Yes. Well, I was on, I was on a tour in 2018, and we called it 20-gay-teen.

And at one of my shows, I forget what city a fan had called me lesbian Jesus. And I had thought that was like, you know, a phrase that people call one another or like, like, no cap or like, you know, 6-7. Like, you know, I just was like. you're like oh it's in the lexicon and i had finished my show and i'd gone online and as as the tour was progressing i realized they were just calling me lesbian jesus so i don't know who the fan is that created it but congrats to them because it is just picked up and it's something that my fans love to call me and i'm very honored because i'm very much a lesbian and you know i've always been when i was younger i was so afraid of

the word lesbian. There was such a negative connotation to it through just what people told me and taught me. And so it's so awesome to get to like have a nickname that celebrates joy and like positivity as a lesbian. And so that's been a really cool like reclaiming of the word. Totally. But yeah, I mean, what's got me through is just like, you know, being able to still release music and I think as I get older in the industry you realize like being a creative just being able to stay in the game is success because to be able to keep a roof over your head to create art and express yourself is is the challenge and so to be able to be in this for you know over 15 15 years it's you know I'm just I'm just really happy that I'm I exist and

I'm here to finally see this movie go into theaters. Totally. It's like I'm in like absolute shock that we did it and that it's here. And that I'm doing a podcast with you and talking about this process. It's so surreal to be on the precipice of the other side. Yes. Well, and to have a movie in the can after 10 years of trying to get it made. Which nobody understands how hard a movie.

is like now I'll like watch a bad movie and I'll be like congrats to everyone involved right you're like wow guys you did something it's like so it's a miracle it's a miracle every single film that you see yeah um that exists out there is is a miracle and a lot of people worked really hard to to have it exist yeah I really feel that and now a word from our wonderful sponsors pride is like love you feel it in your heart IHR Radio, Canada's number one streaming app for radio and podcasts, including IHart Pride Canada, your favorite hits and must have party bangers, plus personalized and curated playlists, like back in the day pride. Come together, celebrate love.

Take pride with you anytime, anywhere. Just ask your smart speaker to play IHart Pride Canada. Stream us on your phone or listen now at iHeartRadio.ca. Do you think that creative work in general feels different to you now? Like it feels more exciting, more liberated. Like where are you as you were in this precipice moment as a creative? I think being able to direct this film and really find my home as a creative has been really centering for me and gratifying.

Because I've always written music. You know, I did musical theater growing up. I've always been to done like a little bit of everything. And to really go, oh my gosh, I've always been a director. I've always been a storyteller. Like this is what I'm good at. I'm good at building worlds and being a part of the decision making every step of the way. Finding that for myself has been so gratifying and like has been worth the absolute treacherous.

mountain that I went through to get this film to exist. And that feels very freeing for me because music I love, but there was only so much I could do. And specifically, like, you know, I found my fans through music videos and directing my music videos, but then my music videos I didn't have financing for anymore. And so then I couldn't make music videos. And then I couldn't do the things that I love to do anymore. Yeah. And so that was really hard for me. And I think when things get so hard for so long, it kind of can suck the fun out.

And so it's been really beautiful to direct this film and be able to kind of almost come back to music and writing this inspired by album after the fact. I finished the film, went in the studio, wrote this inspired by album. Yes. Through the lens of Coley and Sonia, our protagonist. And I got to have fun. And I was like, oh my gosh, I love this feeling again. And so it was so fun that I kind of lost the flame with music,

went into the directing world, wrote and directed the movie, and then kind of went back to music. And I got to find that joy again. And I think in anything, people find joy when they are supported. Like, when you're, when you don't feel supported, when you don't have a community or a safe space to be yourself and to do the things that you want to do, it affects your mental health. It just does.

And that was a big example of, of how that can truly affect your, like, spirit and drive. So I've never been more proud of this album and this album. And it's really nice to feel like I'm like. returning. I'm the Artemis returning home to Earth. You've done it. The Phoenix. She's rising. Yes. I love it. Oh my God. Did you just sob for a week straight like I did? I couldn't get my shit together. I loved watching it. It's so cool. I love space. I also like space movies and stuff, but I just love space. No, it's truly my favorite thing. Like. It's so fun. I would personally never go, but I'm happy for people who get to go.

and experience it. Yeah, I might want to. Like, I might know next week. But here's the thing. I don't want to do, I mean, A, I couldn't, but B, like, I don't want to do, like, oligarchy space tourism. That's not my vibe. Okay. Like, I don't want to go up in the penis pod and come down.

I'm not interested. You're trying to. Like, I would do. the week, I would be like, if there's something I could do and assist NASA, like, send me, sure. Wow. What could I do? Literally nothing, but I would if they asked.

You know, like, I don't know, you need like a poetic journalist to go to space with you. Okay, I'll go. I'll write down everything everyone says and then write something beautiful for you. Like, I don't know. I love that. I love that. it would have to be meaningful, like to just the tourism aspect I don't get. But I, oh man, I mean, I just wept every day watching that coverage.

I loved it so much. I think it just goes back to like, no matter what you do or what your passions are, we all want to find something meaningful. And we all, if we're going to invest our time and energy into something, We want it to help the world and propel the conversation and society forward, you know. And I think that's really important to recognize. Totally. I love it.

I've never had a contributor to a prep document for an interviewee before, but I did, thankfully, for our off-camera life, I did get a question from your beloved about your movie. She said she can't, mm-hmm. She said she can't wait for the world to see it. Wow. Is so proud of you and also wants to know why there was not a character named Becca in the film. She's in the other room. I want to go grab her and ask.

It'd be like, you little troll. We have this like constant thing where she'll like, I'll like test her to say. if she can act, you know? Like, we'll do like a little audition skits and stuff. And she's not an actor yet, but I love her. Yeah. Well, it's very funny for me in my home because clearly Ash is not an actor either, but she's a performer.

Like, she's a performance athlete. We are performance artists. And when I have to prep for something, she's so genuine and sweet. And she'll be like, let me run your lines with you. And I'm like, you're like, thanks, but no thing. No. No. And now we finally will do it. And like halfway through when I'm really figuring out my thing, she'll be like, how did you do that? And I'm like, you can't ask me that in the middle of a scene, like how I made a, you're not supposed to remind me that I'm acting.

Yeah, it's like constant shenanigans. So the four of us clearly need to play some improv games. Absolutely. It's really, it's really fun to get to have shared. you know, eight out of the 11 years of this journey with Becca and like, even just like going to Coachella and performing with Gigi Perez and having our song come out like, like Becca was, she was practicing Gigi's parts while I was practicing my parts because we had separated. So I was like singing girls like girls and she would sing the part to over see the part. And so little moments like that are just so joyful. Wait, how was Coachella? I can't believe I almost forgot to ask about it.

Oh, it was so fun. You know, I performed eight years ago, and I think it was so extra meaningful because that was the moment that I was trying to launch my career. And then, you know, Gigi, existing in the world, was inspired by my music and impacted by my music. And so eight years later, it's her moment. at Coachella.

And it was so special. And I think healing for both of us to get to sing girls like girls together. I had never shared. I've never shared the stage with anyone performing girls like girls. And so to get to do that eight years later, come back, also engaged, I had met Becca like two weeks before I had a lot of Coachella in 2018. And there was just a lot of really cool, full circle moments. and I am so grateful for Gigi and all of the artists that are on this album.

I basically just wanted to make an album about girls and brought on artists that I love. And I think also too when you create, anytime someone like donates their time or like shows their support in a real way, it's so meaningful and it's so special to be like, wow, we've impacted one another. and like we're actually going to show up for each other and to know for them to see like that I've I've been here for a long time I've been in the game for a long time and I've been working up for my moment for a very long time

and for them to recognize that girls like girls this film goes beyond me it's a cultural movement for our community I felt really seen by that and so I'm so excited for people to hear the rest of the album too now the movie's coming out in a couple days we're going to pause here today friends and then come back for a follow-up episode with the amazing haley see you on the next one this is an iHeart podcast guaranteed human