Q: Congratulations on the release of "Little Miss Optimist"! What inspired the title, and how does it encapsulate the story you wanted this EP to tell?
A: Thank you! I wrote the initial draft of the song about a year before I wrote the final version. Looking back, that original version was pretty self-deprecating and pessimistic. I knew it wasn’t the message I wanted the song to ultimately have, but I think I needed to sit with it for a bit and just left it at that. A year later, I studied abroad in Berlin, and it really changed my life. I rediscovered different parts of myself and made peace with aspects of my past, which created space for a more genuine sense of optimism. When I got back, it felt like I could finally write the title track from an honest and hopeful place. That evolution is really what the EP is about: finding optimism in a non-idealized way, but recognizing that even in the harder moments there’s still room for joy and finding the good in people.
Q: Looking back at your previous releases, where do you feel Little Miss Optimist represents the biggest step forward both as a songwriter and artist?
A: My first EP, Ouch!, felt like I was throwing a lot of paint at the wall and seeing what stuck and what felt like me. I was taking inspiration from my childhood and teenage influences, from Paramore to the Foo Fighters to Lana Del Rey, and figuring out how to make those sounds and ideas my own. I think songwriting is like being your own personal archaeologist, slowly uncovering the parts of yourself that feel most authentic. With Little Miss Optimist, I felt much more grounded and intentional, and I had a stronger sense of self, which gave me a much clearer understanding of what I wanted to say as an artist.
Q: Songs like "Golden Girl" and "Lady Karma" each carry distinct identities. How did you approach creating unique worlds for every track while ensuring the EP still felt cohesive?
A: Thematically, I wanted the EP to begin with “Golden Girl” as a representation of girlhood and end with “Lady Karma” as a reflection of womanhood and coming into your own. Even though each track has its own sonic identity and creates its own world, I wanted them to feel connected through the larger story they tell and the archetypes they represent. I’m also really inspired by color theory, so throughout the EP I used different shades of blue, gold, and yellow as a visual thread to tie the concept of the project together.
Q: Your lyrics feel conversational yet incredibly vivid. Are there particular writers, artists, or life experiences that have shaped your storytelling style?
A: I’ve always been really inspired by Lana Del Rey. Her songwriting on Norman F**ing Rockwell! changed my brain chemistry and really influenced the way I think about storytelling and creating a world through lyrics. I also really admire how unapologetic she is in her artistry and the way she stays true to her vision. Swimming by Mac Miller was also a really important album to me. “Come Back To Earth” felt like one of the first times someone had perfectly articulated feelings I was experiencing without ever having access to my inner world. Rosalía has been another huge north star artist for me. I think she’s on a level of her own, and I’m constantly inspired by how she continues to push the boundaries of her artistry and challenge herself creatively. I could go on, but those are probably my big three.
Q: If you had to choose one lyric from Little Miss Optimist that best represents where you are in your life today, which would it be, and why?
A: “Sometimes it falls apart / like a house of cards / and that’s okay / I’m optimistic anyways” is the lyric that immediately came to mind. I’ve been going through a lot of transitions this year. I saw a girl on Instagram recently captioned her post, “I’m excited to see why it didn’t work out!” and that really stuck with me. I think there’s something powerful about approaching change and endings with curiosity rather than fear. That lyric represents where I’m right now: trusting that endings can make space for things that are even better.
Q: Has creating this EP changed your perspective on optimism itself? Do you think you're more optimistic now than when you first began writing these songs?
A: For sure. I think before making this project, I was much more of a glass-half-empty type of girl. Some of the people and places that inspired certain tracks are a testament to that shift and how my perspective has changed. Overall, I think making music has changed the way I look at life. There’s something really beautiful and inherently optimistic about creating art from the things that once felt heavy.
Q: Now that Little Miss Optimist has introduced this new chapter, what aspects of your artistry are you most excited to continue exploring on future releases?
A: I loved being able to lean into female archetypes throughout Little Miss Optimist, especially on “Lady Karma,” where I got to explore different aspects of divine femininity and womanhood, particularly through the music video I released earlier this year. I’m currently working on the deluxe version of the EP, which will be coming out later this fall, and I’ve continued to dive deeper into those themes. Creating a space in my music for unapologetic femininity has always been important to me, but it’s become something I’m even more intentional about celebrating and expanding.
Q: Are there any genres, sounds, or creative risks you've been wanting to experiment with?
A: I’m half Puerto Rican and immensely proud of that part of my identity. There’s so much incredible music coming out of the island. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to make music in Spanglish and experiment with a more Latin-inspired sonic palette, so I’m excited to lean into that.
Q: Is there a dream producer, songwriter, or artist you'd love to collaborate with on a future project?
A: So many people come to mind. My dream would be to write with Lana Del Rey one day. I love Amy Allen and Delacey and think they’re incredible songwriters, and I would love to work with them. For production, some of my dream collaborators would be Emile Haynie, Josh Conway from The Marías, ILYA, and Mike de la Rosa from Latin Mafia. I also think Erin LeCount is incredible and really admire the fact that she produces her own music. I’d love to collaborate with her as well.
Q: As your audience continues to grow, what do you hope listeners will take away from your music beyond the individual songs themselves?
A: I hope my audience feels seen in the experiences they associate with my songs and knows that whatever they’re feeling is so valid. I want my music to be a safe space where people, and especially women, can feel comfortable embracing all parts of themselves, including the emotions we’ve sometimes been conditioned to suppress or judge. Whether it’s vulnerability, anger, pettiness, or anything in between, I want my songs to create a space where those feelings can exist without shame.
Q: Finally, if you could leave a message for someone who's about to hear your music for the very first time, what would you say to them?
A: Well, first, thank you so much for listening! And second, I hope if you want to cry, scream, or shake a little ass, you do. There’s something for everyone, and I hope you feel free to experience the music however you need to.
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