KYLIE CANTRALL'S MUSICAL ODYSSEY OF EMPOWERING ANTHEMS

BY IRVIN RIVERA

PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, FASHION STYULING: ANDREW PHILIP NGUYEN, MAKE-UP: DOMINIQUE DELLA, HAIR: MADISON CLIFFORD, PHOTO ASST: JESSE ZAPATERO

In line with the festive spirit of giving, Kylie Cantrall is unwrapping a musical treat for her fans with the release of her Holiday Extended EP, featuring a selection of five tracks from her unique "10-Minute Songs" series that has been lighting up TikTok and YouTube. The multitalented singer and actress recently dropped a whimsically festive music video for her rendition of "Santa Tell Me," setting the stage for a joyful holiday season. Kylie's creativity knows no bounds, and as she takes a break from the fast-paced world of TV and movies due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, she is pouring her energy into crafting the perfect soundtrack for her fans. We caught up with Kylie to discuss her holiday EP, the inspiration behind her hit "Texts Go Green," the surprise elements of her upcoming single "Elastic," and the exciting journey toward her debut album in 2024.

Dress: MOSCH1NO JEANS Sunglasses: ASOS, Ring: UNOde50 Tights: CALZEDONIA

Hi Kylie, how are you? What’s keeping you busy nowadays?

I’ve really been able to focus all my attention on upcoming music because of the SAG-AFTRA strike. So, that means writing, recording, making music videos, dance rehearsal and live performances. It’s been a change of pace from being on back-to-back TV and movie sets.

Let’s talk about your music. "Texts Go Green” explores dating mishaps - can you share a personal dating story or experience that inspired the song?

It’s funny when you play the songs you write, to the person you’re dating, they always think “Is that about me?”, haha. Yeah, sometimes it is. (I guess I can say “usually it is”) But for my song Texts Go Green, I was actually channeling my best friend who told me a story about this guy she liked but when he invited her over to his place, he had one poster on the wall and a mattress on the floor. That was it!! I said, “Girl that’s a little tooo bachelor pad!” So, I kept pulling references from all the complaints she had about him… and there was a lot to pull from.

Dress: MOSCH1NO JEANS Sunglasses: ASOS, Ring: UNOde50

Has your “10-Minute Songs" series on TikTok influenced your music creation process?

I started this TikTok series a year ago called “10 Minute Songs”, where I ask my fans for 3 words then I have 10 minutes to see if I can write a song using those words. It doesn’t always work perfectly, but sometimes I’m able to get a verse, mid verse and chorus finished. That’s how I started the idea for Texts Go Green. The words were “blocked, green and bed frame”. What really made the whole experience so special was how the song was created and supported by my fans. That’s what really what makes social media incredible, how interactive it’s become.

Can you talk to us about your latest single “Elastic” releasing on October 11th.

I’m so excited to share my newest single “Elastic”. I leaked the chorus on one of my TikTok LIVE’s and my fans have been so incredibly positive. It’s a fun song because it starts off feeling like it’s going to be one of those emo, sad girl songs but when it hits the hook, people are in for a surprise. I spent the afternoon rehearsing for the music video with my choreographer Mary Mason and these dance sequences feel like the perfect visual representation of what this song is all about!

With your debut album scheduled for 2024, can you give us a sneak peek into the overall sound and vibe of the album?

I’ve spent the last two years writing for this project with the idea to release my first EP when I turned 18. The only surprise came when I was asked to return to Disney to shoot another TV show in addition to a movie. This influenced my perspective on what singles I consider appropriate for my fanbase now. The idea was that when I turned 18, I’d be able to sing about whatever I wanted but I’m very aware that I have a responsibility to my younger fans and their parents who bring them out to my shows. So, I’ve been changing the order of the songs I release by keeping the more mature subjects for later albums… I figured I’m still young, so I have time to get to all of that.

How has your music evolved over the years, and what can fans expect from your upcoming music releases?

The interesting thing about current music is that it is ever evolving so the one consistent has to be where my roots are. I’m always going to lean towards those iconic 90s classic artists like TLC, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, and Aaliyah. My dad is a music producer, so he made it his mission to play me all types of music when I was growing up but something about the 90’s just touched my soul and it’s been forever my constant inspiration.

**Left** Dress: ASOS, Earrings & Ring: UNOde50 **Right** Set: RYLEE + CRU, Earrings: LELE SADOUGHI, Sunglasses: ASOS

You've mentioned that you grew up listening to artists like TLC, Janet Jackson, and Britney Spears. Are there any specific songs or albums from these artists that have had a significant impact on your musical style?

I can remember this biopic I watched when I was 8 years old called “Crazy Sexy Cool” (Maybe not the best title for an 8 year old.. haha), but I was literally obsessed with that movie. I probably watched it more than 50 times. I just loved the performance and fashion element that TLC brought to their music. It didn’t just feel like TLC had great songs it was more like TLC was an entire movement. That movie sent me on a ten-year journey, and I’ve been pursuing that same synergistic connection with performance, fashion, and music ever since.

You've had the opportunity to interview musicians like Pentatonix, Matty B., and Jordyn Jones on your YouTube series, "Hello Kylie” in the past. How has this experience influenced your own approach to music and entertainment?

When I was 8 years old, I begged my dad to start a YouTube Channel. Some of my friends at dance were posting singing and dancing videos and I didn’t want to feel left out. So, my dad helped me form a weekly series called “Hello Kylie” where I basically reviewed my favorite Disney shows, talked a lot about Zendaya and Selena Gomez, and ended each episode by singing a song. It took a while to grow the series but within a year I had over a million views. Looking back, I think that’s where I learned about manifestation because my dream was to be on Disney so every week, I would say my catchphrase “Keep on watching Disney channel”! And that’s particularly true this year!

Set: RYLEE + CRU, Earrings: LELE SADOUGHI, Sunglasses: ASOS, Heels: UNITED NUDE, Coat: ABODI

You mentioned that your music often empowers listeners. How important is it for you to convey messages of empowerment through your songs?

I grew up listening to so many positive female singers. You know the type of artists you play when you’re getting ready to go out or when you jump in the car with your friends. I think we are in an era of “sad girl” music, and I just don’t want to be another artist sitting on the kitchen floor with make-up running down my face cause I’m crying over some boy. I’m like “Girl you better pick yourself up, call your friends, turn up the music and start dancing!”

Looking back at your artistic journey so far, what achievements or moments are you most proud of, and what goals do you hope to accomplish in the near future?

I think I’m fortunate that I grew up with parents in entertainment because they never let my accomplishments go to my head, they would give me a hug and say, “Great job, you’re one step closer to reaching Beyonce, just another 25 years of hard work to catch up to her.” It’s that thought that keeps me humble and allows me to focus on the one thing I can control. Working hard every day to become a better artist.

Full Look: PEGGY HARTANTO, Earrings: LELE SADOUGHI

Can you share any behind-the-scenes stories or memorable moments from your time working with Disney Channel Voices and your music video releases?

One of my favorite songs I worked on during that period was “Feeling Some Kind of Way”. I had written two or three ideas for the video, but the Disney executives kept saying “This video idea you came up with would cost about 2 million dollars to make so come up with a simple idea we can shoot in one room.” It sounded a little impossible but then I saw the Destiny’s Child video for “Say my Name”. It’s an amazing video shot in one room, but the room just changes color. Well, that was the inspiration that sparked the concept for my video, and I still have people asking me about it today. Special thanks go out to the Queen B!

You have a strong online presence. How do you engage with your fans and keep them excited about your work?

I’m part of the social media generation, so I learned at age 8 that I can record a song on my laptop, shoot a video on my phone, and post it from my iPad. Minutes later, I’m talking to fans from Brazil who commented on my page and asked if we can do a collab together. It’s an amazing time to be an artist, we don’t have to wait for a record label to get approval from 30 executives to release funds from the recording budget to market a single to radio. If I want to go LIVE and immediately get feedback from a chorus I just wrote, I just do it and then I have thousands of fans saying, “I don’t like it” or “OMG please put this out as your next SINGLE.” It’s funny because I can’t even imagine life without immediate engagement. Wow, I’m sooo GEN Z.. haha!

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Are there any dream collaborations you hope to pursue in the future?

I am inspired by so many artists so it would be easy to say Doja Cat or SZA but how amazing would it be to duet Aaliyah or Left Eye. I know AI is getting a lot of flak in the world of acting but we all know it’s only a matter of time before we see a new movie starring James Dean or Marylin Monroe. Maybe I should stop before I get canceled. But a girl is allowed to dream!

Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations in the entertainment industry?

Of course, I have long-term goals, but I don’t feel comfortable talking about them until I achieve some of the short-term ones. There are tiny steps you have to take. Right now, I’m focused on putting out the best music I can create, so I’m putting my heart and soul into this next single “Elastic”. I want my fans to say, “Wow the song, the video, and the visuals all were so unexpected, and they literally blew us away.” That’s my goal and my aspiration right now.

What advice do you have for young artists who aspire to follow a similar path in the entertainment industry?

I always say “start”. Find a song you love to sing, a video with a dance you want to learn or TV Show with a scene you can memorize. Then perform it for a friend, a parent, a teacher, a stuffed animal… it doesn’t matter, as long as you are performing every day. That means you’re improving and if you are better today, than you were yesterday, think of how good you might be in a week, a month, or a year. So, START!

Final question, if you were a book, what book would you be and why? (Open question. Can be an existing book, made-up book, can be a title, can be a genre, can be anything)

If I were a book, I would hope to be a biography with hundreds of chapters. Right now, it feels like I might have just enough story to fill up chapter one. But I’m excited to read what happens next. I’m quite certain the best is yet unwritten (hehe).