Most recently, Tori Kay released her single Showgirl in May with producer Lamar ‘LAX’ Alexander, and held a Single Release Party at Beaches Tropicana West Hollywood. Having started her music career with Kidz Bop, Tori went on to release her own debut single Girl Power in 2014, and has released singles/music videos since, including MMM and SMH. This year, Tori has performed at Long Beach Pride and WeHo Pride, and has regularly released covers on YouTube and is continuing writing and working on new music. Alongside her music career, Tori is an actor and occasional model, and was part of the promotional material for American Horror Story: Double Feature. Chatting with us, Tori told us about her recent single Showgirl, having her release party at Beaches Tropicana West Hollywood and being involved with the promotional material for American Horror Story: Double Feature.

Your most recent single Showgirl was released in May, can you tell us about the song?

I had been diving into a lot of hyperpop at the time – artists like Kim Petras, COBRAH, Charli XCX, PinkPantheress – they really inspired me. I’ve always been a pop girl at heart, but this was my first time fully exploring that hyperpop space. Going into the writing process, I knew I wanted something fun, punchy, and high-energy, but at the same time… I was exhausted. I’ve been making music since I was 10, and now at 23, I can really feel those 13 years of constantly performing and being ‘on’. That feeling started to shape the song naturally.

Showgirl is this blend of campy, high-gloss pop with an underlying vulnerability. There’s a line in the pre-chorus – “think I’d do anything for you” – and then the chorus hits with “live for the show girl,” which really speaks to the pressures of performing and how demanding the industry can be. It became this sort of twisted love letter to my career — a way to express how much I love what I do, while also acknowledging how much it asks of me.

What was it like hosting your Single Release Party at Beaches Tropicana West Hollywood?

As a queer artist, it meant everything to celebrate this release in a space that feels like home. West Hollywood has always been my safe space, and I’ve spent so many nights at Beaches Tropicana watching pole performers, drag icons, and unforgettable shows. So when it came time to plan my release party, it was the obvious choice – it just felt right.

I even ended the night with a special pole dance solo, which was such a full-circle moment for me as both a dancer and a performer. And let’s be real – throwing my Showgirl release party on the same stage that’s hosted Bebe Rexha, Katy Perry, Lil Nas X, Frankie Grande, and Kesha? Iconic. I felt like I was stepping into that legacy, in my own way.

How long had you been working on Showgirl and what have you enjoyed most about recording the track?

My process is pretty consistent for every song – it always starts with a concept. The idea for Showgirl came to me in January 2025. Once I have the concept, I start gathering references and inspiration for the sound and vibe, then send those notes over to my producer, Lamar ‘LAX’ Alexander. While he’s working his production magic, I start playing with lyrics and melodies.

Usually, Lamar’s first draft is already insane – and Showgirl was no exception. I remember texting him, “You slayed this track so hard it’s intimidating to write over,” which is high praise coming from me! I’m definitely a perfectionist, so it typically takes me about three to five writing sessions (each hours long) before I lock in the version I love.

What I enjoyed most was watching the song evolve. At one point, I had written three completely different versions. Eventually, I was pulling together the best verses, pre-choruses, and hooks from each one. Then came the bridge – and as a pop diva who’s been dancing since she was two, of course I had to turn it into a dance breakdown. That’s when I realised a second verse from one of the earlier versions would fit perfectly right there. It had a totally different energy, but I loved it too much to leave behind. That was the moment it all clicked – the song finally reached its full Showgirl potential.

What do you hope listeners take from Showgirl and how has it been seeing the response to the release so far?

Showgirl is me fully stepping into my power as a performer. I’m not just a singer. I’m not just a songwriter. I’m not just a dancer, or a girl covered in glitter, or someone with rainbow hair (on occasion!) – I’m all of it, and more. For so long, I’ve stayed humble and just focused on the work, but there comes a point where you feel the urge to say, “Watch this”. That’s what Showgirl is. It’s one of the first songs I’ve written that truly captures who I am as an artist – loudly, unapologetically, and on my terms.

Seeing people connect with it has been incredible. The energy, the excitement, the way everyone’s hyping it up – it honestly feels like the exact reaction I was hoping for. I wanted the song to grab people’s attention, and it definitely is.

You’ve previously released music videos for your songs including MMM and SMH, what are music videos like to record and can you say about your other song releases this year?

I’m a super visual person, so it’s natural for me to start imagining the music video while I’m writing the song. Most of the time, I’m building the single and creating a video storyboard at the same time. My videos – for WNW, MMM, That’s My Bad, SMH, In The Rainbow, and honestly every one I’ve released – have been brainstormed, casted, styled, and creatively directed by me. Everything except the actual videography and choreography.

I honestly wish I could release the many, many, many Google Docs I’ve made for each concept so people could see the full journey from idea to screen. I’ve been lucky to work with the insanely talented Brian Jara – aka Red Llama Media – who brings every vision to life. He just gets it. Some of my favourite moments so far? The truck bed scene in WNW – it’s so iconic to me – and the crowd-surfing shot in MMM. I’d always dreamed of doing that, and finally making it happen in a video was unreal.

As for new releases… let’s just say I’ve got some things brewing. There might just be an EP in the works 👀

How do you feel your music has changed since your debut original song – Girl Power – in 2014?

I love this question because it’s actually given me a chance to reflect on how much I’ve grown since that first single. My music has always been a reflection of who I am, so naturally, the songs, shows, style – all of it – has grown up with me.

A couple years ago, I released Girl Power 2.0 because I had a whole new perspective. I wanted to bring my ‘older’ voice to the song that really started everything for me. So much has shifted since then, but a lot has stayed consistent too – especially my love for pop, upbeat energy, and making people dance.

What’s changed the most is how vulnerable I’ve allowed myself to be. When I was younger, I was honestly terrified to write ballads or dive deep emotionally – it felt too scary to put those feelings out there. Now, my lyrics come straight from my journal. Songs like SMH show that side of me. It’s still nerve-racking to be that open, but I’ve learned to embrace the courage it takes to be real, raw, and authentic.

How would you describe your style and who do you think your music will appeal to?

I think it’s safe to say my style is extremely vibrant – glitter, glam, and rainbows are basically my everyday essentials. As my single That’s My Bad says, “crop top and stiletto heels” is definitely the vibe. I’m a girly-girl pop diva to the max – bold, colourful, and unapologetically extra.

That energy absolutely carries into my music. My sound is fun, high-gloss, and full of attitude, but there’s also heart and depth underneath the sparkle. I write songs that speak to my queer community – I love being loud about who I am and what I represent. But my music also resonates with anyone who grew up loving pop icons like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga, and P!nk. If you’re unapologetic, fierce, and maybe a little dramatic in the best way – you’re probably going to get down to my tracks.

What has it been like performing recently at events such as Long Beach Pride and can you tell us about some of your recent performances?

Oh my gosh – performing is truly my favourite thing in the entire world. The stage feels like home to me. It’s where I come alive and feel the most me. I’ve been so grateful to perform at multiple Pride festivals over the past couple of years – last year it was Santa Monica Pride and NYC Pride, and this year I had the honour of performing at Long Beach Pride and WeHo Pride.

Each show has been magical in its own way, but there’s nothing more electrifying than performing in front of a crowd filled with your own community. That kind of energy? You can’t fake it. It’s inspiring, and it’s actually what led me to write my song In The Rainbow – which was inspired by Judy Garland’s Somewhere Over the Rainbow, but told through the lens of my own queer journey.

There’s a moment in the chorus where the entire crowd yells “PRIDE!” with me – and every single time, I get chills. That moment right there? It’s my favourite part of performing.

We understand you started your music career as a member of Kidz Bop, do you have any stand-out memories from being part of the group that you can share?

Being part of Kidz Bop was such a major part of my journey – especially at such a young age. It gave me the chance to perform on big stages, in front of incredible crowds, with a real fan base. It was the first time I truly saw what my life as a performer could look like, and I’m so grateful for everything I learned during that time.

One memory that really stands out is how intense the rehearsal process was. We had to learn tons of songs, choreography, harmonies, and full stage direction in about two weeks. It was basically pop star boot camp. But instead of scaring me off, it made me realise how much I loved the grind. Even at 10 years old, I knew I was willing to work hard for this – and that dedication has never left me.

You also upload covers to your YouTube channel, what do you enjoy about covering songs by other artists and how do you choose which songs to record?

I’ve always loved putting my own spin on iconic music – it’s something I’ve done since the very beginning of my career. I’ve been performing Britney Spears songs and filming music videos to them for as long as I can remember. Even now, I include a medley of Circus, Gimme More, and Slave 4 U in my live sets. It always gets the crowd going, but I make sure it still feels fresh and authentic to me.

Covers are such a fun way for me to learn and grow as a performer. I also love playing piano and singing, which I don’t always get to do in my regular shows since they’re usually high-energy. Covers give me the chance to tap into that more intimate, stripped-back side of my artistry.

When it comes to picking songs, it really depends on what speaks to me in the moment. I love a challenge – like taking a big pop anthem and reimagining it as a piano ballad. It’s such a cool way to personalise a song and show people a different emotional angle they may not have heard before.

Where does your love of music come from and how did you get started in the industry?

I’ve been a performer for as long as I can remember. I started dance and gymnastics classes at just two years old in Dallas, Texas. My family still talks about my first recital – how I lit up the stage even at that age. From there, I just fell deeper into the arts. I got into cheerleading, piano, acting, and musical theatre, and each one played a role in shaping my love for music.

The pop songs I was dancing to sparked something in me. Musical theatre helped me develop my voice and stage presence, and piano quickly became my favourite way to write and express myself. That combination really lit the fire – it wasn’t long after I started songwriting that I began stepping into the music industry more seriously.

By the age of 10, I had my first music manager, Joey Harris, in New York City. I also had acting agents in LA, NYC, and Texas. Whether I was on stage or in front of a camera, performing always felt like second nature. It’s been part of me since day one.

Do you have any favourite music artists to listen to?

Even though I make pop music, my taste is super diverse. I’m especially drawn to powerful female artists – no matter the genre, I can’t help but support my fellow queens.

My playlists are stacked with iconic 2000s pop divas like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, P!nk, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Madonna – the blueprints, honestly. But I also have a major soft spot for pop rock. I’m talking about Paramore, Evanescence, Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne. I actually have a cover video concept for The Only Exception, Ain’t It Fun, and I’ve been performing Girlfriend live recently with the Gritty In Pink ALL GRL Jam – such a blast.

And when it comes to the gym? I’m strictly hip-hop: Cardi B, Lizzo, KenTheMan, GloRilla, Sexyy Red, Flo Milli, Doechii, JT – they keep me hyped and locked in. That’s just a handful, but the list goes on. Basically, if she’s fierce and fearless, she’s probably on my playlist.

You were seen on the promotional material for American Horror Story: Double Feature on their billboards and on Hulu, how did you find the experience working on the photoshoot and how did you feel seeing the billboards for the first time?

Okay, this is such a funny story – and honestly, the perfect example of how wild this industry can be.

As an actress and occasional model, I self-submit for roles all the time through sites like Casting Networks and Actors Access, along with my amazing agent Rina from SoCal Talent. One day, I saw a casting call looking for a model with tiny hands, pale skin, and pretty eyes. If you know me, you know I’m 4’11″ and kind of the blueprint for that description – so I quickly sent in photos of my face and hands.

Way faster than usual – like record speed – I got an email saying I booked it and needed to be at Universal the next day. I was excited, but I still had no clue what I had actually booked.

I show up bright and early and walk into this huge room with (I’m not exaggerating) at least 15 makeup artists. Five hours into glam, I finally find out I’m on set for the American Horror Story: Double Feature BILLBOARD. Like… what?! It was my first time ever wearing a bald cap, and what was supposed to be a one-day shoot turned into four. Between the coloured contacts, liquid latex, and wild FX makeup, it was seriously one of the most unforgettable shoots I’ve ever done.

And seeing myself on a billboard? There’s only one word: insane. I mean, how LA is this story? From bare-faced selfies to the Hulu home screen. For weeks, I couldn’t drive around LA or turn on my TV without seeing my face. It was an actual dream come true.

How do you like to spend your free time?

As a self-proclaimed workaholic, free time is honestly a pretty foreign concept to me. I feel so lucky to do what I love every single day, which means most of my time is spent on my craft – whether that’s planning content for social media, photoshoots, recording sessions, or learning new covers on the piano. Even when I’m ‘off’, I’m still on in some way.

That said, I did start pole dancing last year, and it’s been such an empowering journey. I take weekly classes, and it’s taught me so much about embracing my body, my strength, and my femininity. Like a lot of my hobbies, it eventually became part of my career – I’ve started incorporating pole routines into my live performances, like my Showgirl single release party at Beaches Tropicana and my WeHo Pride set.

Outside of that, I really enjoy quieter creative outlets. I actually went sober at the beginning of this year, and I’ve found a lot of peace in things like arts and crafts – just grounding, expressive stuff that brings me back to myself. And of course, I love taking walks with my pup, LaLa Star. She’s definitely my little sidekick in life.

What are you hoping this year brings for you and do you have any music releases or events coming up that you can tell us about?

I honestly feel so honoured that it’s only August and I’ve already checked off most of the goals I put on my vision board for 2025. It’s been a year of big wins, but that doesn’t mean I’m slowing down – I still have so much I want to accomplish before the year wraps up.

Right now, I’m back in the studio writing again and working on new music, so definitely stay tuned – more releases are on the way very soon! I also have a tradition of throwing a big event for my birthday, October 24th. Last year’s was at the amazing SoHo House, where I performed live, and I’m planning to keep that tradition going.

And this year is extra special – it’s my golden birthday! I’m turning 24 on the 24th… so let’s just say, I might have something major up my sleeve. ✨

Follow Tori on:

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

TikTok

www.torikayofficial.com