Hayley Kiyoko

Hayley Kiyoko Alcroft is an American singer, songwriter, actress, director, and author. Born in Los Angeles on April 3, 1991, she first gained recognition as an actress in Disney's Lemonade Mouth (2011) and later starred in the TV series CSI: Cyber (2015–2016) and Five Points (2018–2019). But it is her music that has made her a defining voice for queer youth, with the 2015 single "Girls Like Girls" becoming a global anthem and her debut album Expectations (2018) reaching the top 20 in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Beyond performing, Kiyoko has expanded into writing and directing. Her 2023 novel Girls Like Girls topped The New York Times bestseller list for Young Adult Hardcover and won the Goldie Award. She adapted it into a feature film of the same name, released in June 2026, marking her directorial debut. She also created a comic book based on her song "Gravel to Tempo" and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song for "Better Place" from Trolls Band Together (2023).

Kiyoko's work is characterized by candid lyrics about love and identity, set to synth-driven pop. She remains a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ representation, using her platform to tell authentic stories that resonate deeply with her fans. [edit]

Hayley Kiyoko Alcroft was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Sarah Kiyoko, is of Japanese descent, and her father, Jamie Alcroft, is a comedian and voice actor. She grew up in a creative household, with her father's work in entertainment exposing her to the industry from an early age.

Kiyoko's interest in performing surfaced early. She began dancing at age five and trained in ballet, jazz, and modern dance for over a decade. Her first taste of acting came in commercials and small roles, but her breakthrough arrived when she was cast as a series regular on the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place in 2010. That same year, she landed a role in the Disney Channel Original Movie Lemonade Mouth, which premiered in 2011.

While building her acting résumé, Kiyoko was also writing songs. She taught herself guitar and piano, and by her late teens she was recording demos in her bedroom. Her early musical influences included artists like Joni Mitchell and Imogen Heap, whose introspective styles shaped her own songwriting approach. She released her debut EP A Belle to Remember in 2013, which blended pop and folk sounds and hinted at the emotional honesty that would define her later work. [edit]

Hayley Kiyoko's music career gained serious momentum with the EP This Side of Paradise (2015), which included the breakout single "Girls Like Girls." The song, accompanied by a music video depicting a same-sex romance, went viral and became a queer anthem, amassing hundreds of millions of streams. Her follow-up EP Citrine (2016) continued that trajectory, and her debut album Expectations (2018) cemented her status as a pop force, reaching the top 20 in the US, Canada, and Australia.

She kept releasing music through the EP I'm Too Sensitive for This Shit (2020) and the album Panorama (2022), expanding her sonic palette while staying true to her confessional style. In 2023, she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song for "Better Place" from Trolls Band Together, a rare honor for a pop artist.

Kiyoko's creative ambitions soon extended beyond music. Her novel Girls Like Girls (2023) debuted at number one on The New York Times Young Adult Hardcover bestseller list and won the Goldie Award. She then co-wrote and directed the film adaptation, released in June 2026, which received positive reviews for its authentic portrayal of queer teenage romance. She also created a comic book based on her song "Gravel to Tempo," collaborating with artists Naomi Franquiz and Marla Vazquez.

As of 2026, Kiyoko continues to balance music, film, and writing. She is set to headline The Dinah Music Festival in 2026, and fans eagerly await her next album and directorial projects. [edit]

Hayley Kiyoko is widely regarded as a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation in pop music. Her music videos often center queer love stories, and she has been vocal about her own sexuality, which has endeared her to a devoted fanbase who see themselves reflected in her art.

Her public persona is a blend of vulnerability and confidence. On social media, she shares behind-the-scenes moments, personal reflections, and playful interactions with fans, whom she affectionately calls "Kiyokians." Her style is a mix of casual streetwear and bold, colorful stage outfits, often featuring androgynous elements that challenge traditional gender norms.

Media coverage frequently highlights her role as a "role model" for young queer people, and she has been featured in publications like Vogue and Them for her advocacy and artistic output. Despite her success, she maintains an approachable, down-to-earth image, often engaging directly with fans and supporting emerging queer artists. [edit]

Hayley Kiyoko commands a global stage defined by her resonance with queer youth and her evolution into a multi-hyphenate creative force. While her cultural footprint remains massive, the iFANN Global Fame Engine evaluated her in August 2026 and determined she currently holds no placement in the published rankings, meaning she does not occupy a specific position within the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. Her influence operates outside these rigid numerical hierarchies, driven by deep community connection rather than broad celebrity metrics. Despite this lack of a formal rank, her reach is undeniable, evidenced by millions of monthly listeners and sold-out festival headlining slots like the 2026 Dinah Music Festival. The fanbase surrounding her work has no documented formal name; supporters are known simply as devoted followers who have turned her art into a shared language for identity. There are no recorded organized chart pushes, fan-funded campaigns, or mythical crowd-shutting rituals attributed to her audience in available records. Instead, her legacy is built on the quiet power of representation, culminating in the 2026 premiere of her feature film Girls Like Girls on Peacock, which brought her story full circle for both original fans and new audiences.[edit]

Before her music career took off, Hayley Kiyoko appeared in a 2012 episode of the TV series The Neighbors and voiced a character in the animated film Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur (2011). She is a trained dancer whose background heavily influences the choreography seen in her music videos. Fans affectionately call her 'Lesbian Jesus,' a nickname that emerged in the mid-2010s as a playful tribute to her visibility as a queer pop star, a title she has embraced with humor even selling merchandise featuring the phrase. Kiyoko is also a self-proclaimed foodie who frequently shares her cooking experiments on social media. Her song 'Curious' was inspired by a personal experience of seeing an ex with someone new, and she has described it as one of her most vulnerable tracks. She expanded her concept into a feature film titled Girls Like Girls, set to premiere exclusively on Peacock starting August 14, 2026. This project was widely celebrated as coming full circle for Kiyoko, transforming her teenage experiences into a sapphic success story that courted both her original fans and new audiences.[edit]

Hayley Kiyoko was born to Sarah Kiyoko, who is of Japanese descent, and Jamie Alcroft, a comedian and voice actor known for his work on the puppet show D.C. Follies. She has spoken fondly of her parents' support for her artistic ambitions, noting that her father's comedic timing influenced her own sense of humor.

Kiyoko is an only child, which she has said made her introspective and driven. She often credits her mother for instilling a strong work ethic and for encouraging her to pursue her passions despite the uncertainties of the entertainment industry.

As of 2026, Kiyoko is not married and has no children. She lives in Los Angeles, where she keeps a relatively private personal life, though she occasionally shares glimpses of her home and her two cats, Mochi and Nori, on Instagram. [edit]

Hayley Kiyoko has collaborated with a range of artists and creators. In music, she has worked with producers like Stint and writers like Sarah Hudson. Her novel and film Girls Like Girls feature actress Maya de Costa, who stars in the adaptation. Kiyoko has also been linked to fellow queer artists like Fletcher and King Princess, with whom she shares a mutual respect and occasional public support. [edit]

Hayley Kiyoko has kept her romantic life largely private, but she has been linked to a few notable figures. In the mid-2010s, she reportedly dated photographer and director Alexa San Roman, though the relationship was never officially confirmed. Around 2018, she was rumored to be seeing actress and singer Becca Tobin after they were spotted together, but neither confirmed a romance.

In 2021, Kiyoko was linked to model and influencer Tana Mongeau, with whom she collaborated on social media content, but the pair insisted they were just friends. As of 2026, Kiyoko is reportedly single, focusing on her career and creative projects. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Hayley Kiyoko's net worth at $8 million as of 2026. Her wealth accumulates from diverse revenue streams including music sales, streaming, concert tours, acting roles, book sales, and directing fees. Her music career serves as a primary earner, with over 660 million YouTube views and 2.3 million subscribers generating substantial ad revenue. Album sales and streaming royalties from hits like 'Girls Like Girls' and 'Sleepover' contribute significantly to her portfolio. She has toured extensively, including headlining shows and festival appearances. Acting has provided steady income through roles in major films and TV series. Her book Girls Like Girls topped bestseller lists, and the film adaptation added to her earnings. Brand partnerships and merchandise sales, including her 'Lesbian Jesus' line, also boost her income. Kiyoko's net worth has grown steadily over the past decade, reflecting her expanding creative portfolio and enduring popularity.[edit]

Hayley Kiyoko has received recognition for her work across music and literature. Her novel Girls Like Girls won the Goldie Award for Young Adult Fiction in 2024. She has also been nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for "Better Place" from Trolls Band Together (2023), though she did not win. Her music videos and albums have earned her nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards and GLAAD Media Awards, but she has not yet taken home a major music award. [edit]