Hayley Kiyoko
Hayley Kiyoko (born April 3, 1991) is a Japanese American singer, songwriter, actress, and director. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Kiyoko first gained recognition as a child actress before establishing herself as an independent pop artist whose music and visual storytelling have earned her a devoted global fanbase. She is widely known by the fan-bestowed title "Lesbian Jesus" for her unapologetic celebration of LGBTQ+ identity in her music and music videos.
Early Life[edit]
Hayley Kiyoko was born on April 3, 1991, in Los Angeles, California. She is of Japanese American descent and grew up immersed in the entertainment industry from an early age, pursuing acting and music as a child. She trained in classical music and dance, developing the multidisciplinary artistic foundation that would later define her career.
Acting Career[edit]
Kiyoko began her acting career as a child, appearing in various television commercials and small roles before landing more prominent parts in her teens. She was a member of the pop group The Stunners from 2009 to 2011, which served as an early introduction to the music industry before the group disbanded.
Her acting work expanded to include notable television and film roles. She appeared in the Disney Channel original movie Lemonade Mouth (2011), which introduced her to a wide young audience and showcased her musical abilities alongside her acting. She also had a recurring role in the series Stitchers, playing the character Camille Engelson, a tech-savvy hacker and key member of the show's ensemble cast. Additional television credits include appearances in The Fosters and CSI: Cyber.
In film, Kiyoko appeared in Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (2009) and Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (2010), both live-action television movies in which she played Velma Dinkley. She also appeared in the independent film Ten Inch Hero (2007).
Music Career[edit]
While her acting career continued, Kiyoko began releasing original music independently starting in the early 2010s. She released a series of self-directed music videos and EPs that built a passionate online following, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Her music videos, which frequently depicted same-sex relationships and queer narratives in an unambiguous and celebratory way, were groundbreaking for mainstream pop at the time of their release.
Her debut extended play, This Side of Paradise, was released in 2015, followed by Citrine in 2016. These releases established her signature sound — polished, synth-driven pop with emotionally direct lyricism — and cemented her reputation as an artist unafraid to center queer identity in her work.
Kiyoko released her debut full-length studio album, Expectations, in 2018. The album debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and was supported by a major headlining tour. Expectations included the single "Feelings," which became one of her most-streamed songs, as well as "Curious" and "He'll Never Love You (HNLY)." The album was widely praised for its cohesive vision and its significance as a mainstream pop record that centered a queer female perspective without compromise.
Her second studio album, resetᵉ, was released in 2022. The album explored themes of self-discovery, healing, and emotional resilience, and was supported by tours across North America and Europe. The record demonstrated Kiyoko's continued artistic growth and her enduring connection with her fanbase.
Visual and Creative Work[edit]
Beyond music, Kiyoko is recognized as a director and visual artist. She has directed the majority of her own music videos, developing a distinct cinematic aesthetic that draws on her background as an actress and her deep engagement with queer storytelling. Her videos often function as short films, with recurring characters, narrative arcs, and thematic continuity across releases.
She has spoken extensively in interviews about the importance of creating the kind of representation she did not see growing up, and her work is frequently cited as a meaningful touchstone for LGBTQ+ youth. Kiyoko has also been involved in broader advocacy efforts for LGBTQ+ visibility in the entertainment industry.
Heritage and Identity[edit]
Kiyoko has spoken openly about her Japanese American heritage and its importance to her identity. She has discussed the complexities of growing up Japanese American in the entertainment industry, and the ways in which her heritage intersects with her broader identity as a queer woman of color.
Discography[edit]
Studio Albums
- Expectations (2018)
- resetᵉ (2022)
Extended Plays
- A Belle to Remember (2013)
- This Side of Paradise (2015)
- Citrine (2016)
Selected Filmography[edit]
- Ten Inch Hero (2007)
- Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (2009) — Velma Dinkley
- Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (2010) — Velma Dinkley
- Lemonade Mouth (2011) — Stella Yamada
- Stitchers (2015–2017) — Camille Engelson
- The Fosters (2014) — Guest role
