Hayley Kiyoko

Hayley Kiyoko is an American singer, songwriter, actress, director, and author whose storytelling across music, film, and literature has made her a prominent voice in contemporary LGBTQ+ culture. Born in Los Angeles, California, she began performing as a child, appearing in national commercials before expanding into acting, music, and filmmaking. She gained early recognition through roles in Disney's Lemonade Mouth, Wizards of Waverly Place, and CSI: Cyber, while simultaneously developing a music career defined by honest, emotionally driven songwriting.

Kiyoko achieved international success as a recording artist with songs such as "Girls Like Girls," "Curious," and "Feelings," earning a devoted following for her unapologetically queer storytelling. Building on the success of her viral 2015 music video for "Girls Like Girls," she expanded the story into her debut novel of the same name, which became a #1 New York Times bestseller. She later followed it with Where There's Room for Us, continuing to write young adult fiction centered on queer characters, identity, and hope. Alongside her writing, she has directed many of her own music videos and made her feature film directing debut with a film adaptation of Girls Like Girls.

Recognized for her advocacy as well as her creative work, Kiyoko has become an influential figure for LGBTQ+ representation in popular culture. Whether writing novels, creating music, or directing films, her work emphasizes authenticity, self-acceptance, and the importance of seeing diverse love stories reflected in mainstream media.