In June 2015, just days before the U.S. government recognized same-sex marriage, Hayley Kiyoko released her song “Girls Like Girls,” marking a pivotal moment in her career and queer representation in pop culture. At the time, Kiyoko was 24 and still privately identifying as a lesbian, cautious about public disclosure amid lingering concerns about the impact of being openly queer in the entertainment industry.

Since then, Kiyoko has emerged as a prominent queer figure, known among fans as “Lesbian Jesus.” She has expanded the influence of “Girls Like Girls” beyond music, transforming the song into a 2023 young-adult novel that quickly reached No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list. Most recently, Kiyoko directed and co-wrote a feature film adaptation of the story, bringing the narrative full circle to the big screen.

The film, currently in theaters, follows Coley, portrayed by Maya da Costa, a new girl in a small town who grapples with her growing feelings for Sonya, played by Myra Molloy. Set in the 2000s, the coming-of-age drama addresses the challenges both teenagers face as closeted adolescents discovering their sexuality. Zach Braff appears in a supporting role as Coley’s father. Kiyoko, now 35, said the project felt like her life’s purpose and an urgent story that needed to be told.

Raised in Agoura Hills, California, Kiyoko’s artistic roots trace back to a creative family—her mother, Sarah Kawahara, is a former figure skater and choreographer, and her father, Jamie Alcroft, is a comedian and voice actor. She initially pursued acting, landing roles in Disney Channel productions like “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “Lemonade Mouth,” though her true aspiration was music. Early in her career, she struggled with industry perceptions that limited opportunities for someone of her mixed heritage and queer identity.

The original “Girls Like Girls” music video, which Kiyoko co-directed, faced resistance from mainstream outlets wary of its lesbian themes. Yet, the video quickly gained traction on YouTube, resonating with young queer women who found affirmation in its portrayal of same-sex attraction as ordinary. The song’s grassroots popularity helped Kiyoko secure a deal with Atlantic Records and laid the groundwork for her openly queer career trajectory.

Kiyoko’s path to adapting “Girls Like Girls” into a film was fraught with setbacks, including a collapsed initial script collaboration and difficulties convincing producers of the story’s relevance. Despite some industry assertions that queer narratives were no longer necessary, Kiyoko maintained that authentic coming-out stories remain vital. Securing the film rights in 2024 after the novel’s success, she also ensured a queer-driven soundtrack, collaborating with artists such as Tegan and Sara and Gigi Perez.

Cast member Maya da Costa described Kiyoko’s involvement in every aspect of the film as deeply personal and hands-on, from directing to producing the accompanying album and narrating the audiobook. Kiyoko acknowledges the challenges ahead, given shifting public attitudes toward LGBTQ rights, and feels substantial pressure for the film to succeed both critically and commercially.

Looking forward, Kiyoko aims to focus her career on directing and producing, with plans to adapt other literary works, including her 2025 novel “Where There’s Room for Us.” She expressed a particular interest in eventually transforming “Girls Like Girls” into a musical.

Reflecting on the enduring significance of her work, Kiyoko emphasized normalizing queer experiences for future generations. “This is not a thing that goes away; this is who we are,” she said, underscoring her commitment to authentic representation in entertainment.