Hayley Kiyoko: The Lesbian Jesus Disney Never Knew They Needed – And Everything That Makes Her Artistry So Damn Special

Okay, so I know Pride Month has officially ended, but let’s not pretend that gay icons should ONLY be talked about in June, because…that would truly be stupid. This time, I want to talk about Hayley Kiyoko, a musician and former Disney star. You might recognize her from Disney’s Lemonade Mouth, which was absolutely FANTASTIC. It also starred Bridgit Mendler and Naomi Scott. In the movie, or any other movie or show she was in, particularly for Disney, she played a straight character. In a previous 2022 interview with THEM, however, she admitted that she couldn’t help but the gay energy to every character she played.

Kiyoko officially came out as gay in 2015 with the release of her song, Girls Like Girls. She also directed the music video for it. And though the song was a smashing hit, Kiyoko was nervous to let the world know of her true identity. She said, ‘I was so nervous because so many outlets didn’t want to premiere it because it felt too — ‘explicit’ was a word that they used, even though it’s just queer love. I was like, is anyone going to watch this video? Is anyone gonna relate to it?’ I think once you come out yourself as an artist, you’re really allowing yourself to be your true authentic self because I was lying to myself for a long time as I was writing music. And I was so, so surprised to find my community once I released Girls like Girls.’

The song was sensational. Everyone loved it; and it didn’t matter whether it was the straight, gay, lesbian or whoever else. It was just a song about love. And yet, it was groundbreaking, as it was a love song that used h she/her pronouns for the first time ever. This was a song that marked the beginning of Kiyoko being labeled as a ‘Lesbian Jesus’. The road wasn’t easy for her, though. She had previously struggled with her feelings and fear of rejection, but decided to be open about her sexuality to connect with her audience and create hopeful queer content. The song and video were a pivotal moment for her, helping her find her community and purpose. To break things down more thoroughly:

• Early Struggles: Kiyoko knew she was attracted to women at a young age but grappled with those feelings due to fear of judgment and rejection. 
• “Girls Like Girls”: Her 2015 song and music video, “Girls Like Girls,” became a significant step in her coming out journey. The video, which she also directed, depicted a same-sex relationship and resonated deeply with many, earning her the nickname “Lesbian Jesus”. 
• Impact and Advocacy: Kiyoko’s coming out and her subsequent work have had a profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community. She’s become a celebrated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation, inspiring others to embrace their identities. 
• New Avenues for Connection: More recently, Kiyoko created a platform called “Room For Us” to foster a closer connection with her fans, offering exclusive content and direct conversations. 

If we really think about it, Kiyoko is just like any other star who came from the Disney or Nickelodeon mania. Or better yet, that was what Disney wanted us all to believe. We all know that both the Disney and Nickelodeon networks push its stars to be ‘good’ as a means to promote this innocent narrative towards young fans. Pushing the LGBTQIA+ narrative or anything relating to it would be far fetched, of course. There was never a single LGBTQIA+ character in any series, movie, or animated film, but there were characters who were ‘queer coded’. This includes Ursula from The Little Mermaid, Jaffar from Aladdin, and Scar from The Lion King. Do you realize what these three characters have in common? Yep – they’re all villains in their respective roles.

And so I guess you can say that Kiyoko had a queer code in her while she was employed by Disney, and you guessed it – she played a villain. In 2010, Kiyoko also guest starred in four episodes of Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place in the role of Stevie Nichols, an evil wizard. At the time, she was closeted to the public. She was afraid to make her sexuality publicly known as she didn’t know how it would affect her work and her getting new opportunities. During her stint on Wizards of Waverly Place, which starred Selena Gomez, she was 19 years old. She had a very distinct look about her, a haircut inspired by Tegan And Sara, black in colour with a blonde highlight. According to Kiyoko herself – very lesbian-like.

On the show, it was never explicitly stated that Kiyoko’s character, Stevie, was gay. But there were implications. Even more so, there were implications that Stevie and Alex, played by Gomez, had feelings for each other. Fans of the show interpreted her character’s interactions with Gomez’s Alex R as having a ‘lesbian energy or ‘sapphic undertones’. Kiyoko herself acknowledged the fan perception and has stated that, looking back, she could see the ‘lesbian energy’ in her character. The show’s writers even considered exploring a romantic storyline between Stevie and Alex, but Disney wasn’t ready for it at the time. To break things down more thoroughly:

• Stevie’s Character: Hayley Kiyoko played Stevie Nichols, an evil wizard who befriends Alex Russo in four episodes of Wizards of Waverly Place.
  
• Fan Interpretation: Fans on social media and fan forums noted a romantic spark between Stevie and Alex, creating the “Stalex” ship name. 
  
• Kiyoko’s Perspective: Kiyoko, who has since come out as lesbian, stated that she was closeted during her time on the show but can now see the ‘lesbian energy’ in her performance. 
  
• Writer’s Intent: Showrunner Peter Murrieta has confirmed that the writers wanted to explore a queer relationship between Stevie and Alex, but Disney wouldn’t allow it at the time. 
  
• Disney’s Stance: While Disney Channel had featured LGBTQIA+ characters, they weren’t ready to explore a same-sex relationship in the way the writers envisioned at that time. 

It’s a real shame that Kiyoko’s character arc was only implied to have an LGBTQ effect. It would’ve been a great love story. And not only that, but it would’ve been absolutely mind-blowing to see a main character on a Disney show have an LGBTQ storyline; something you don’t see much of on mainstream television and media. It’s not even on Disney, Nickelodeon or any other television network or media platform. Time and time again, we see LGBTQIA stories be pushed as Side B storylines, or cameos. This needs to change.

And I’m not alone in this. In 2022, a Disney executive vowed more inclusivity in its productions – to make more stories that would make room for underrepresented groups, including racial minorities and the LGBTQ community. Karey Burke, president of Disney’s General Entertainment Content, said at the time, ‘I’m here as a mother of two queer children, actually. One transgender child and one pansexual child, and also as a leader.’ She also revealed she was SHOCKED to learn that there were only a handful of queer lead characters in Disney’s company. She said, ‘And I went, ‘What? That can’t be true.’ And I realized it actually is true. We have many, many, many LGBTQIA characters in our stories and yet we don’t have enough leads and narratives in which gay characters just get to be characters and not have to be about gay stories. I hope this is a moment where — shoot, the 50 percent of the tears, sorry, are coming — we just don’t allow each other to go backwards.’

She’s absolutely right. We have to keep remembering that we live in 2025; not 1997. This is not the time where Ellen DeGeneres was the first-ever television star whose fictional character was to come out on her sitcom. This is not the time where a viewer/ discretion advisory has to be made before an episode’s release due to a lesbian/gay kiss. We’re better than that. Our kids are better than that. Or maybe it’s that I feel we’re all better than that.

I certainly feel that I’m better than that, and I’m now teaching my son to be better than that. In fact, I even deliberately show my son clips of LGBTQIA+ related content, such as two men or two women kissing, and while he watches those clips with much interest and enthusiasm in his eyes, I explain to him, ‘You see these two men (or women)? They’re kissing because they truly love each other in a romantic way, and it’s okay. It’s okay for two men (or women) to love each other and be affectionate with one another. It’s 100% normal.’ I specifically did this when I did my research on the Malec blog entry that I posted last month.

I truly believe that it’s our responsibility now to be part of a community that normalizes love that might look different than your typical love; one that’s between a man and a woman. Though Disney is now on its way to represent the LGBTQIA+ community in a more positive, open way, it still has a long way to go. Maybe it’ll get there eventually when my son is a little older, but for now, I know I won’t solely rely on Disney as a media outlet to teach him the normalcy in the LGBTQIA+ community. Nevertheless, both networks have come a long way. Both Disney and Nickelodeon have increased LGBTQIA + representation in their programming, though their approaches and the depth of representation vary. Disney has featured various LGBTQIA+ characters in animated and live-action series, including protagonists like Luz Noceda in The Owl House and supporting characters like Cyrus Goodman in Andi Mack. Nickelodeon, while also including LGBTQIA+ characters, has faced criticism for censorship and delayed representation, such as cutting a kiss scene in Mysticons. Both have shown a commitment to expanding LGBTQIA+ representation, with Disney notably airing “Pride” ads and hosting LGBTQ+ events, and Nickelodeon celebrating Pride through various initiatives. To elaborate further:

Disney’s LGBTQ+ Representation: 

• Early Days: Disney’s initial LGBTQ+ representation was often subtle or secondary, like the lesbian couple in Doc McStuffins and the confirmed relationship between Sheriff Blubs and Deputy Durland in Gravity Falls, according to IndieWire. 
  
• Growing Inclusion: The Owl House marked a significant shift with a bisexual protagonist, Luz Noceda, and lesbian character Amity Blight. The series also featured Raine Whispers, a non-binary character. 
  
• Ongoing Efforts: Disney continues to include LGBTQ+ characters in new series like Hailey’s On It!, Firebuds, and the final season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, according to GLAAD. 

Nickelodeon’s LGBTQIA+ Representation: 

• Early Inclusion: Nickelodeon has a history of LGBTQ+ representation, with characters like Luna Loud, Rachel Bighead, and Sam Sharp in The Loud House, and the character Korra from The Legend of Korra. 
  
• Challenges and Progress: While Nickelodeon has shown LGBTQIA+ characters, there have been instances of delayed or censored representation, such as the cut kiss scene in Mysticons. 
  
• Pride Celebrations: Nickelodeon actively celebrates Pride, promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusion and themes in its programming and social media, according to Nickelodeon. 

Comparing Approaches: 

• Disney: Known for a more cautious approach to representation, but has recently shown a commitment to including LGBTQIA+ characters and storylines in prominent roles, especially in animated series. 
  
• Nickelodeon: While also including LGBTQIA+ characters, Nickelodeon has faced criticism for censorship and delayed representation in some instances, but also actively celebrates Pride. 
  
• Both Networks: Both have made strides in LGBTQIA+ representation, though the depth and approach to representation may differ across their various programs. 

Other Notable Examples: 

• Netflix: Heartstopper is a popular Netflix series with LGBTQIA+ characters, including a newly introduced asexual character, Isaac, according to GLAAD. 
• Other Networks and Shows: Steven Universe, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and The Legend of Korra are also examples of cartoons with strong LGBTQIA+ representation. 

Though show-runners couldn’t afford to make an entirely LGBTQIA+ representation during the time that Hayley Kiyoko came to Disney, I do believe that she was somewhat of an inspiration to begin to push forward in that particular direction. And let me be abundantly clear: I’m so f*cking happy for it. It’s not because I’m bisexual and I want to push that on my son. It’s not because I have family members and friends who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and I want to push that on my son. Far from it.

On the contrary, it’s that I want to normalize it for the sake of my son. I want him to look at the LGBTQIA+ community, no matter what that might be, whether it’s a gay or lesbian couple, a transgender person, or other, and not think that it’s weird or any different than a heterosexual love affair. I want him to look at them and think to himself, ‘Wow, that’s beautiful!’ If he’s, in fact, part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I want him to know that he’ll be loved and accepted by us, his family, and if he’s not, I want to promote a healthy development by fostering inclusivity and understanding. I want him to know the value in acceptance, respect and belonging. According to a study published by Weatern Kentucky University, media can provide examples of how to cope with challenges and build resilience, especially for those who may not have supportive families or communities.

For the children who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, seeing characters like themselves in books, TV shows, and movies can help LGBTQIA+ children feel less alone and more connected to the world around them. When they see positive representations of LGBTQIA+ identities, it can help them develop a stronger sense of self-worth and feel more confident in their own identities. Representation helps LGBTQIA+ youth understand that their experiences are valid and shared by others, which can be crucial for their emotional well-being. 

And for those who AREN’T part of the LGBTQIA+ community, seeing diverse characters and families can help children develop empathy and understanding for people who are different from them. Positive representation can challenge harmful stereotypes and help children develop a more nuanced understanding of the world. When children are exposed to diverse characters, they‘re more likely to grow up with a greater sense of inclusivity and acceptance of others. Seeing LGBTQIA+ characters can inspire children to become allies and advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights and equality. Representation can challenge the idea that heterosexuality is the only “normal” way to be.

In all honesty, though, is there even such a thing as “normal” anymore? Like…really? Even though I’m bisexual, I’m in a heterosexual relationship with my husband. Our son witnesses a heterosexual relationship between the two of us. BUT… I’m also disabled, and he witnesses me living my daily life in the most normal way I know how. That means that he might witness me doing things a little differently than how an able-bodied individual would, but that’s HIS normal too, and it’s normal for HIM to witness this because he doesn’t know any different. By witnessing my own version of normalcy, my son develops an understanding and a developed emotional intelligence and empathy towards people who might look different than him. I already see the kindness and compassion in him that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. And when it comes to my sexuality, I will most definitely be open about it with him in the future, and I’ll be sure to tell him that just because I’m in a heterosexual relationship with his father doesn’t change the fact that I’m bisexual. Bisexuality exists, and that’s a fact.

But I’d also like to add that it’s not just important to have LGBTQIA+ representation for kids, but adults as well. Shows like Shadowhunters: Mortal Instruments and Schitt’s Creer are great for it. Shadowhunters shows a healthy relationship between two men; one that’s even more interesting and deeper than any heterosexual relationship showcased on the show, which is great, because it shows audiences that a gay relationship CAN be really, really great. With that, it also shows the hardships of coming out when you’re part of a family that’s closed minded and expects you to do what is told. Schitt’s Creek also showcases the development of a healthy relationship between two men, as well as the beauty of the effects of an unwavering and unconditional love and support of a family can do for someone who’s part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I remember when my husband and I watched the show before our son was born, I told him, ‘If we ever have a son or daughter who’s part of the community, I want to be like that family!’

In a past interview, Hayley Kiyoko told Stephen Horowitz, ‘If you see two girls falling in love and normalizing that, then [people] can go, ‘I can fall in love, too. I can be that person. I can look like that. I can get a girl that looks like that.’ If they see that, then they can believe it. It’s just how we are.’ But it’s much more than that. She’s showing a new generation of LGBTQIA+ women that it’s okay to be who you are and love who you love. She’s showing straight women, and people in general, that being gay is normal; that gay love is normal and just like any other love there is. She’s the queer icon that Disney never knew they needed. During one of her performances, Kiyoko told the crowd, ‘I always wanted to become a performer and have people screaming at me. One thing I didn’t know is that I was going to be a raging lesbian while doing it.’

It’s true – Kiyoko didn’t. She didn’t know she could do it and dominate the world while at it. Mostly, it was because she was held back the network that got her career started. I can’t even blame the show-runners for it. They tried the best that they could in the best ways they knew how based on what they COULD do at the time, which was to not explicitly show her sexuality, but to imply it. We’ve already discussed that implication on Wizards Of Waverly Place. For her next Disney role, Kiyoko played Stella Yamada in 2011’s Lemonade Mouth. She could be described as rebellious, motivated, defiant firecracker, not afraid to stand up and fight for what she believed in. She believed everyone should be heard and given an opportunity.

Stella was one of the lead guitarists and backup singer for the band, which was formed with her high school friends, called Lemonade Mouth. While everyone else in the band got their boyfriend/girlfriend/crush drama, Stella didn’t. She didn’t even get much of a personal background story. When I watched the film, I couldn’t help but love Olivia’s played by Bridgit Mendler, background story with her mother passing away and her father being in prison. In the book version, which the movie is based on, Olivia mother left her when she was really young rather than dying.

Stella, on the other hand, doesn’t have much of a background story to her. The one thing we knew about her was that she was new. Stella’s journey in the movie involved overcoming self-doubt and finding her confidence, particularly through her music and the support of her bandmates. Her determination and energy were instrumental in forming the band and encouraging the other members to embrace their unique voices. But I wanted to know more about her. Like… Who is she? What’s her family life like at home? What boy did she like? What girl did she like?

I personally felt like Stella was a missed opportunity in Lemonade Mouth. There was a lot that could’ve been done with her character to make her more interesting. It’s a shame that Kiyoko didn’t have the platform to embrace and show the world her true essence while she was employed by Disney. That’s why performing is PERFECT for her. It allowed her to fully embrace her true self, particularly by openly expressing her sexuality and gender identity within her music and performances. She initially hid her identity due to fear of societal judgment, but through her music and fan reactions, she gained the confidence to be herself. Her music depicts lesbian relationships and normalizes them, resonating with fans and validating their own experiences. 

Kiyoko initially feared being defined solely by her sexuality, but she has since embraced her identity and found that her art speaks for itself. music and videos explicitly portray lesbian relationships, challenging the heteronormative landscape of the music industry and fostering a sense of belonging for her audience. being open about her sexuality and creating art that reflects her experiences, she empowers herself and her fans to be their authentic selves. The release of the music video for Girls Like Girls, which is now being turned into a film after fan demand, marked a significant moment in her journey of self-acceptance and provided a space for her fans to see themselves represented. 

In hindsight, there’s absolutely no difference between Kiyoko and Taylor Swift. They’re both very talented singers who pour their hearts out into their respective arts. The only real difference between the two is that Kiyoko writes love songs about women, and Swift writes love songs about. But what is Swift supposed to do? Write songs about things she can’t possibly relate to, about love she can’t relate to? Nevertheless, Swift has been an ally for the LGBTQIA+ community since at least 2019, with the release of her hit song, You Need To Calm Down. ANNDD… Kiyoko had a little cameo in the video too!

The two artists have actually been friends for years and have collaborated professionally too. Swift invited Kiyoko to perform Curious with her on her Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018. Swift introduced Kiyoko, expressing admiration for her music and saying they have similar tastes, which again, goes back to their similar artistry style. Swift was very quick to defend Kiyoko after fans misinterpreted an interview where Kiyoko discussed double standards in the music industry. Kiyoko also expressed her gratitude to Swift for the support. Both women have publicly expressed their admiration for each other’s music and talent. 

More than songwriting, Swift and Kiyoko are also directors. They’ve both directed their own music videos. While doing research for this particular blog entry, I watched Kiyoko’s interview with her former Wizards Of Waverly Place co-stars on the Wizards Of Waverly Pod podcast, where she spoke about her decision to be responsible for her own artistry. She said something extremely interesting. For one, directors get 20% of all profits from money made from a music video, plus the initial payment they make for the content. On top of it, she wanted to make her music to be from HER perspective and HER experience rather than having a cyst white man who knows nothing about the topic for her. That’s f*cking PERFECT. That’s what makes her art so unique and so special.

And let’s be real here; queer relationships are just as justified as heterosexual relationships. Queer relationships go through the same notions as heterosexual relationships do. In fact, Kiyoko herself talked about this when she appeared on the Exes and O’s podcast late last year. She’s been in a relationship with Bacca Tilley, who appeared on The Bachelor, since 2018. They went public with their romance in 2022; not because Kiyoko was hiding the relationship, but for as to respect Tilley’s own coming out journey. But on the Exes And O’s podcast, Kiyoko spoke heavily of her relationship dynamic with Tilley. I listened to the podcast with my husband, and as she spoke, he turned to me and said that what she talked about was exactly what relationships SHOULD be, and we need to continuously remind ourselves of that. It didn’t even matter to him that Kiyoko was talking about two women in love with each other. It was just about two PEOPLE in love.

And now, Kiyoko can add a new job title to her resume – BOOK writer. She’s turned to this new route because she felt it gave her more artistic freedom to do whatever she wanted and however she wanted. It’s an exciting time for her, and her fans absolutely can’t wait to see what will be the next thing she’ll bring to life. But we all know it’ll be special. As she said herself, being gay is her strength. We’ll end this blog entry here and now, but we’ll come back for more in the next chapter. But for now, I want to bring you just a few Hayley Kiyoko quotes to lighten up your queer day:

• We all want to be loved. We all want to feel accepted. We all want to feel content. And life is hard.
  
• My motto is to help people love themselves sooner. I can’t teach them how to do that. They have to figure that out on their own – that’s their journey.
  
• I’m grateful to the LGBTQ community for giving me the courage to write music about who I am and not just about my sexual orientation.
  
• I’ve always wanted my lyrics to say something meaningful and, you know, you always want to tell a message with your art. So yes, as I continue to write music, I will write about things that are real and things that I feel aren’t written about a lot.
  
• I just want to make art that connects with people and moves them on an emotional level. Any time I can put out music and place a story behind it and have people watch it and go, ‘Wow, I was affected by that,’ to me, feels like I’ve done my job.
  
• I just love storytelling. I write music to tell stories. So when I’m done writing a song, I take it and go, ‘Okay. How can I interpret these lyrics differently?’ I love taking lyrics that were so close to me at a certain point in my life and then revamping them. I always want to take things to the next level.
  
• I personally feel like people shouldn’t have to come out. That, to me, was like a moment for myself where I was coming out to myself with, like, ‘Okay, I can be the artist that I want to be, and as long as the music is good, people will accept me. It doesn’t matter who I am, what I look like. If the music is good, they will like me. The end.’