- I directed the music video
and it was a incredible process.
I loved all the actresses and the video and the dancers.
It's my first time having a group of female dancers,
and the energy is just so different
when you're on set dancing.
It's like, ah, ah, ah, ah!
- Now 2018 was a big year for you.
You know, you won the MTV Push Artist Award.
You dropped a debut album, "Expectations".
- Yes I did.
- [B. Dot] And you won the Billboard Rising Stars Award.
- I did.
- You did. (laughing) - They're all on my fireplace.
- Is that where you keep them?
- Yeah, yeah, right in the front.
- [B. Dot] How has things changed for you since last year?
- It's been very different.
I think I've been focused on writing again.
It's been amazing, been doing some writing camps
and getting away and just trying to figure out
what that next album sounds like and
I'm really excited about what we've been coming up with.
This year is really gonna be about shooting music videos,
getting the music done, getting the content done,
and gearing up for, you know, the next chapter.
- And you just dropped your new single and video, "I Wish".
Let's talk about that a little bit.
- Yeah, I wanted to showcase friendship
and when you're not getting love from someone that
maybe you want, or you maybe get declined,
or you're not feeling the love for yourself.
Having your friends there to pick you back up,
and support you, and be there for you, and so,
it's a whimsical take on that,
but that was kind of the idea
and kind of where it grew from there.
- Why is this song called "I Wish"?
(laughs)
- I wish!
The song is called "I Wish" because we all
wish for things in our lives
and we know so much about ourselves, but it's like,
but can I do that?
It's like, oh yeah, these are my weaknesses,
or I'm vulnerable here, but like, can I be strong?
Can I find love?
Can I do that?
And so, you wish for it and I feel like,
it's a very common feeling that people can relate to.
- As far as the process, you self direct all your videos.
What's the creative process like
when you're putting out a new visual?
- It's a team effort.
It's sitting down, creating the color pallette,
communicating, speaking to the production designer,
stylists and it's making sure everyone's on the same page,
so there's just no questions asked when you're on set.
Sometimes you wait 'til the day, and for us
we kind of approach it more like theater in the sense of,
it's go time day of, you know.
We had eight hours to shoot the music video,
and so it's like you have two hours
to get the dance sequences, you have two hours--
You know, you have to be very prepared and rehearsed.
- Gotta stay on point!
- Gotta stay on point, you know!
Gotta be a boss! - It's been over a year since
you dropped "Expectations" now, right?
Can we expect some new music?
What's coming on?
- Yeah, you can definitely expect new music.
"I Wish" is out now, which is super exciting,
and I'm hoping to drop some more singles
and a second album.
Not sure what the timeline is for that,
but it's a-comin'.
- Sonically, what can we expect from the new album?
- I don't have any rules, so it's very genre-bending
and I'm influenced by a lot of different genres and music,
but I think the one thing you can always expect is
I put my heart into it and it's always emotional
and somewhat sensitive while also having fun.
- Your relationship with Taylor Swift!
- Yes!
- [B. Dot] How has that blossomed over the last year?
- It's been a beautiful relationship.
I mean, I went from doing that guest spot on her tour,
and then she came and did a performance with me,
and then I got to be in her music video.
She has been so supportive of the community,
but also just myself as an artist,
and I think any artist can relate
to this conversation about, like,
just wanting the opportunity to be heard,
and to express herself,
and so, it's been a really awesome thing
and she is a great person
and she's been a good friend to me.
- You mentioned the "You Need to Calm Down" video.
What was it like being on set?
- It was huge.
Like, my music videos are like ants compared to her music,
like, my music I had eight hours to shoot.
I mean, they shoot, like, multiple days,
but you go on set and there's like huge cranes.
- It's a production.
- It's a whole town of, you know, production design
and buildings and it's inspiring, you know,
I'm like, okay cool.
I want that.
(laughs)
I'm like, I'll take one of those, and one of those.
- [B. Dot] Was it your idea to shoot the bow and arrow?
- [Hayley] No! No, she called me and she was like,
"I have this really perfect Easter egg
for you to be a part of."
- And you broke some equipment, though, I heard.
- I did, yes I haven't received the bill for that yet,
but not looking forward to that.
- Aw, your aim was off point?
- Yeah, I mean, listen!
They told me to shoot, so I shot!
- [B. Dot] Are you guys gonna work on
anything else in the future?
- I hope so.
I think, I'm sure we'll continue to be friends,
and I mean, she's everywhere,
so I'll probably cross paths with her eventually.
- I hope so. (laughs)