From child actor to Disney star to pop icon dubbed "Lesbian Jesus," Hayley Kiyoko built a career creating the representation she never had as a half-Japanese, queer artist. In this episode of She Pivots, Hayley opens up about becoming a community's symbol practically overnight while still figuring herself out, and how she moved from leading with fear to leading with confidence and self-love. She also shares how she found her fiancée, Becca Tilley, and reflects on the decade-long journey that culminated in her Girls Like Girls film and album—a project that started with high school heartbreak twenty years ago. Happy Pride Month, Pivoters! Girls like girls is out NOW. See it in theatres and check out the companion Girls Like Girls album. Chapters: 00:00.240 Welcome to She Pivots 00:39.839 Guest Intro: Hayley Kiyoko 01:55.920 Hayley's Childhood 08:12.105 Early Music Career: Joining Stunners 13:26.210 The Birth of "Girls Like Girls" 18:27.920 20GayTeen: Music and Queer Identity 20:27.837 Music Industry Challenges 28:16.883 Hayley's Personal Identity Journey 34:33.599 The Journey to Film Direction 37:16.857 The Power of Representation on Screen 40:00.669 From Low Point to Launch 41:43.024 Do You Think You'll Pivot Again? 43:25.760 Reflections on Hayley's Journey 44:17.600 Podcast Credits Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration. She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success. Join our Substack community! Subscribe here for exclusive content and to connect with other pivoters: shepivots.substack.com Learn more about the inspiring women in our pivoter community by following us on instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast, and check out our website shepivotspod.com for resources and updates. She Pivots is proud to be an iheart podcast.Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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