Photo Credit: CHEHON
[Evanthia Theodorou](https://www.instagram.com/evanthia_theodorou/) is only 16 years old and already living her dreams out daily. Accumulating over one million followers across all social media platforms, the singer-songwriter is your favorite girl-next-door, exuding both inner and outer beauty in all her endeavors. Currently splitting her time between her hometown of St. Louis and Los Angeles, Evanthia prides herself in honesty, authenticity, and passion.
Describing herself as “very loyal, energetic, outgoing, and very hard-working,” her work ethic as a teenager is both inspiring and motivating. She states, “I feel like sometimes I’m older than what I am, because I’m constantly working all the time. Honestly it’s worth it because I love working, it’s what I love to do so it’s fun.”
Exploding onto the scene with her anthemic hit “Somewhere” in 2019, Evanthia returns to kick off the near year with her newest single titled “Games.” The pop record shows off a different side of Evanthia that fans have yet to see, as she serenades lyrics of a frustrating experience dealing with mixed signals over an modern-day beat.
_Flaunt_ caught up with Evanthia via Zoom, who was in high spirits back home in St. Louis. Read below as we discuss her upbringing, biggest influences, moving to Los Angeles, close relationship with her brother, inspo behind “Games,” getting on TikTok, love for fashion, and more!
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**Being from St. Louis, what was that like growing up?**
I’m very grateful to have my family. I started modeling locally in St. Louis for fun. I went to Los Angeles at 13, it took my parents a little bit to say yes because it’s a big change to go out to Los Angeles. I was constantly asking them, then we finally went. Now we have a place out there, it’s crazy. I’m so thankful for my family and my brother because he’s super supportive. He loves to play the guitar so sometimes we’ll write together, I’m super thankful.
**Biggest influences coming up?**
Hailee Steinfield is one of my idols for sure. I definitely look up to my brother though because he’s very hard-working, if I had to choose someone close to me. Both of my parents too, but my brother and I are very close. He’s not in the industry, but he goes to school down at TCU because he wants to be an orthopedic surgeon. He loves playing the guitar for fun to get his mind off studying. I really look up to him, he’s always been there for me.
**Coming to LA at 13, were you scared?**
I definitely was nervous. At the same time when I got there, I felt at home. I’ve been waiting for that moment for so long so it felt nice to be there and get started working. I’ll never forget it. I knew I had to go back, and I constantly went back so many times.
**Bring us back to when you made “**[**Somewhere**](https://music.apple.com/us/album/somewhere-single/1548608188)**,” what was Evanthia like then?**
I wrote that two years ago. I remember I was in the process of going back-and-forth constantly. Every month, I’d come out to Los Angeles. It was difficult for sure but I knew that’s where I was meant to be. I was meant to go somewhere, do something, be something. It’s my passion so I wrote about that travel was worth it. I knew it’d pay off, it’s where I wanted to be.
**“Games” out now, how are you feeling?**
So excited, I loved working on “Games.” The music video, writing it, recording it was so much fun. I’ve gotten so much love from it, it’s really exciting.
**Who or what inspired this record?**
I journal a lot, I’ve been recently journaling for a year or so. My family and everyone on my team said “yeah, you should journal.” Okay, I’ll start doing that. Ever since then, writing has helped so much with my anxiety. It’s about a relationship. In some relationships, there’s a lack of communication. You don’t know what is all the truth and what’s all a lie. You’re constantly asking yourself questions all the time, there’s so many things that come along with it. A guy is playing you, there’s no communication going on at all. You’re constantly thinking you’re the problem, then maybe he’s the problem. You keep on going back-and-forth asking yourself questions and overthinking it. You realize you’re stuck in a game that you can’t get out.
**What were you trying to convey in the visual?**
I try to make it really fun because I didn’t want it to be super sad. Oh I’m in this situation: I’m sad, crying, being really upset. The music video, the magnifying glass is seeing things clearer. Having a certain pattern in the chair, having fun with the paint, and playing with words like I’m in this game. I finally figured it out. It definitely sucks in the moment but once you figure it out, “okay I figured you out, I got it now.” We tried to have fun with it. It was honestly so much fun to film, had a great time. With Covid it’s different on set, but we still had a lot of fun.
**How important is social media for your career?**
Social media is a big part of my career because it’s the way I can connect to my supporters. I’m in the process of transitioning most of my TikToks to a lot of my singing. I still do dances because that’s how I started out on TikTok. Instagram, trying to do many Lives and trying to connect to my supporters. Especially now because you can’t do Meet & Greets. Social media is a big way for our generation to connect and communicate. Definitely a really big part of my career because that’s how people communicate nowadays a lot.
**What do you like about TikTok?**
TikTok is so much fun, I love TikTok. It’s really addicting, you can catch yourself scrolling constantly for a long time. \[laughs\] Doing the dances and different trends are fun as well. I started TikTok a year ago in October, it definitely took me a hot second to adjust because my friends were telling me to start it. They said “you should start an account, do it!” I said “I don’t know.” I finally did it and started to get the hang of it, doing the different trends and dances. Honestly it’s really fun to do. It’s nice to do when I’m sitting around during the day: get up, do a TikTok dance and post it. It’s really fun.
**3 things you need in a studio?**
Positive vibes always. If we weren’t okay with a take, a line, or something we wrote, if I’m talking to the producer, instead of saying something negative, we always say “we can beat that.” Always positive energy in the studio. Secondly, I always bring a family member along with me. They’re always very supportive and super excited to be there, so it’s super fun. Whenever I’m recording, usually there’s always an animal there, like a dog. That’s really nice because when you’re singing in the studio, you have to feel those certain emotions. It’s always nice to have a pet there with you while you’re listening to the tracks.
**What are your dogs’ name?**
I have two dogs, I have Sunny and Joy. They’re downstairs right now, they’re so adorable. They’re super sweet but two complete opposites. Joy’s super calm, Sunny’s all over the place and bounces all over. They’re funny together.
**What can we expect next music-wise?**
I’m going to be releasing music sometime soon this year for sure. I’ve been writing a lot, a music video is coming along with it. That’s really exciting, I can’t wait to share the new music. It’s bigger and better than “Games,” really excited to share.
**Being only 16, would you like to do for fun?**
I love to hang out with my close friends I grew up with, that I’ve known and trusted since kindergarten. I always talk to them, hang out with them all the time. When my brother’s home, I love hanging out with my brother. It’s hard right now with Covid because there’s not many places to go. I do like binge watching shows and watching motives, that’s always fun to do. Especially in the winter right now when it’s a little cold outside, turn the movie on and get some popcorn. Have some friends come over instead of going to the movie theater. Or going on car rides, car rides are very therapeutic. Blaring music and driving is really fun.
**What’s your love for fashion as well?**
I love love love fashion. My style is very well put together, but still edgy. Classy and edgy at the same time. I love jean on jean outfits, that’s my new thing I’ve been obsessed with. Anything jeans I love or a pop of color. Sometimes there's videos I see pop up on TikTok, “oh what I wore for the week.” I love getting ideas from those because it’s always super fun seeing new outfit trends.
**What are you most excited for in the new year?**
Constantly growing and changing in a good way. My voice is constantly growing better so each song is getting better and better. My writing’s getting better and better. I can’t wait to share all the new things I have this year with everyone, it’s super exciting. It’s crazy to think that it’s 2021. A lot of new things coming this year, I can’t wait.
_Keep up with Evanthia on_ [_TikTok_](https://www.tiktok.com/@evanthia_theodorou) _and_ [_Instagram_](https://www.instagram.com/evanthia_theodorou/) _at @Evanthia\_Theodorou._
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