Kayla DiVenere’s musical rise has taken Hollywood by storm. The young artist is a jill of all trades, tapping into various sectors of the entertainment industry through her songs, acting, and all around it-girl energy. Her music inspires confidence and empowerment, and her latest track “Date Myself” is no exception.

Fans love her flirty feminine style, her emotionally honest lyrics, and the fact that she is always authentically herself. Kayla’s the girl-next-door, the older sister you feel like understands your struggles, and her Tumblr-esque aesthetic exudes nostalgia, charm, and an undeniable sense of feeling seen and heard by her songs. 

Kayla’s showing no signs of slowing down as she enters her “Date Myself” era. The songstress spoke exclusively with Flaunt about her style, musical influences, and how the two blend together on the stage and in the studio.

How would you describe your personal fashion style, and how does it influence your stage presence?

I would describe my fashion as vintage streetwear. I love thrifting and finding vintage pieces and mixing them with a baggy skater look. If I feel good about what I'm wearing, I exude a certain confidence I wouldn't have otherwise. Look good = feel good. 

Many of your songs touch on themes of love and relationships. How much of your personal experiences do you draw upon when writing these songs?

I would say that 99% of my songs are drawn from personal experiences. I love using music as a form of self expression and my own personal therapy and I feel that after writing a song, a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. There's a very internal physical feeling I get that quite literally feels like I've emptied my guts out, allowing me to properly move on from any situation afterwards.

Can you share a memorable moment or story behind one of your relationship-themed songs?

"Jumping the Gun" was written about a person I met for literally 2 minutes... Some might think I'm crazy for writing an entire song about someone I don't even know, but I guess it really ties into the "Jumping the Gun" theme. I met this guy at the back of a photobooth line after I asked him if "this is where the line starts". We exchanged names, and that was it. I couldn't stop thinking about him the entire night and days after, thinking he was for sure my soulmate, leading me to wonder why I always get too ahead of myself and "jump the gun". 

Who are your top three favorite artists of all time, and how have they inspired your own musical journey?

I have so many top artists that consistently change over time, but at the moment, I've been loving The 1975, Dominic Fike, and Del Water Gap. They all go about their creativity in super cool, unique ways that never fail to inspire me. 

What was the first concert you ever attended, and how did it impact your perspective on live performances?

The first concert I ever bought tickets for was the Justin Bieber Purpose Tour. I had broken my ankle at the time and I went with crutches and everything (lol the dedication was real). I was so enthralled by how togethering live performances can be, and how thousands of people can come together to have one thing in common, love for music. It really connects everyone in a special way that I never experienced prior to that. I still get chills everytime time the whole crowd at a concert sings lyrics together, it's such magic between strangers. 

Do you have a favorite lyric from one of your own songs, and if so, what makes it special to you?

I love the lyric "I kinda wanna date myself" from "Date Myself". It's the main chorus lyric, and I think it's so simple yet speaks volumes. I love that it could be a saying that could be on a hat or a shirt or seen on a poster and wouldn't think twice about. 

When it comes to songwriting, do you remember the first song you ever wrote? What was the inspiration behind it?

The first song I ever wrote was a breakup song called "What Did I Do". I was 13 and had never been in love, been in a relationship, or been through a breakup, but decided to write a breakup song? I guess you could say I drew inspiration from movies I watched and people I talked to. Although now I mainly write about personal experiences, I think it's super cool to channel other peoples experiences apart from your own. I recently wrote a song about my best friend's love life since mine is so inactive, and it was a really cool change to separate myself from the concept at hand, but still be able to put myself in it. 

How do you think your fashion choices have evolved throughout your career, and what role does personal expression play in your style?

I definitely did a lot of experimenting with my fashion, just like everything in life. You really can't know what you like until you try a lot of things that you don't like. I used to dress for other people vs what I actually felt good in, which was actually horrible. I can confidently say I now dress in what I think feels very unique and authentic to me. Dressing "how I want" has been so freeing and to be able to use another form of personal expression has felt very therapeutic.  

Are there any specific musicians or genres that you turn to for inspiration when you're working on new music?

I honestly draw inspiration from so many different genres and time periods, depending on how I'm feeling that day. Some days I'll strictly draw inspiration from indie music, while others I can't stop listening to 80s music or heavy pop. Every song has something really unique about it and I love plucking inspiration from all of them. 

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

I would absolutely die if I could ever collaborate with Dominic Fike. His melodies are so sticky, he's so creative and not afraid to try new things that aren't trending. I think he's so talented and just can't stop listening to his music.