TL;DR
- Hayley Kiyoko turns her hit song into a film.
- The movie captures a queer teen love story.
- Kiyoko emphasizes the importance of representation.
- Film releases on June 19, 2026.
- Kiyoko reflects on her journey and authenticity.
Hold onto your rainbow flags, folks! Hayley Kiyoko, the pop sensation known for her catchy anthem “Girls Like Girls,” is taking her iconic song to the big screen, and it’s about to get fabulously fierce. This isn’t just a film; it’s a celebration of love, identity, and the unapologetic queer experience that we’ve all been waiting for.
When Kiyoko first released “Girls Like Girls” back in 2015, it was an anthem for many in the LGBTQ+ community, racking up over 150 million streams on Spotify. Now, she’s stepping behind the camera as the director, bringing the story of Coley and her best friend Sonya to life. “It’s like I kind of manifested that when I wasn’t there yet,” Kiyoko reflects. “And here we are, I’ve directed a feature film, I love who I am, I can scream at the top of my lungs, ‘girls like girls like boys do,’ and I fully believe that, and I fully have that confidence now.”
Set to hit theaters on June 19, 2026, the film stars Maya da Costa as Coley and Myra Molloy as Sonya, and it promises to capture the raw, messy, and beautiful experience of queer love. Kiyoko has been dreaming of this moment for over a decade, and she’s finally bringing her vision to life. “I’ve always dreamt of, Who is Coley? What does she look like? Where does she come from?” she says, and the casting of da Costa was an emotional moment for her. “I just saw like, everything, I saw the world, I saw her,” Kiyoko gushes.
But it’s not just about the romance; it’s about representation. Kiyoko is keenly aware of the shifting landscape for queer characters in media. She notes that while she once felt like queer rights were making strides, the current climate feels like a step back. “We need more hopeful queer stories that are being supported by studios,” she insists. “It’s vital for young queer people to see themselves on screen, to feel that sense of community in theaters.”
As she reflects on her journey from a young artist to a confident filmmaker, Kiyoko emphasizes the importance of authenticity. “It’s been a 10-year journey, and through every medium, I’ve been able to get closer and closer to my authentic truth,” she shares. This film isn’t just a project; it’s a piece of her heart and a beacon of hope for others.
With the film coming out during a politically charged time for the LGBTQ+ community, Kiyoko hopes it will provide a safe space for audiences. “I hope that it can be just a moment of relief and a safe space for people to go to the theater and know that every person in that theater is their community wherever they live,” she says. And honestly, who doesn’t need a little more love and acceptance in their life?
So mark your calendars, grab your friends, and get ready to experience a film that’s not just about love but about living your truth unapologetically. Hayley Kiyoko’s “Girls Like Girls” is set to be a landmark moment in queer cinema, and we can’t wait to see it!