Hayley Kiyoko is officially kicking off Pride Month with a new love song called “Chance” and a self-directed video co-starring actor Alexandra Shipp (“Love, Simon,” “X-Men: Apocalypse”).
“‘Chance’ is a song based on those moments when I denied my true feelings for someone out of fear of rejection, and therefore didn’t allow someone to take a chance on me,” Kiyoko says. “I hope this song empowers people to push past their own self-doubt and realize how worthy they are of love.”
“I’m always starved for hopeful queer stories onscreen, and I really wanted to direct a narrative that focused on the happier ‘honeymoon’ phase of a relationship, to show what can happen if we take a chance on ourselves and have that love reciprocated. The video is meant to portray those first few weeks, months, or even years when you are utterly head over heels in love with each other. I directed the video on 16mm film, alongside an incredible team of badass women – from the director of photography to the editor, and the producers. I am so grateful for the entire crew who helped bring this vision to life as well as to our incredible lead actress, Alexandra Shipp. I hope ‘Chance’ sparks the hope that anyone can and will find the love they deserve.”
Kiyoko will usher in Pride festivities with a pair of live performances beginning this Friday, June 4th at “Can’t Cancel Pride,” a virtual relief benefit for the LGBTQ+ community produced by Procter & Gamble and iHeartMedia and available to stream at 9:00 PM (ET). She will also give a headline performance at “Outloud: Raising Voices benefit concert set for Saturday, June 5th at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Hosted and curated by Adam Lambert, and available to stream on Twitch, tickets for the in-person event are on sale now.