Hayley Kiyoko Adapts ‘Girls Like Girls’ for the Screen: A Look at the Singer’s Directorial Debut

Singer-songwriter Hayley Kiyoko has transitioned her breakout 2015 hit “Girls Like Girls” into a feature-length film, marking her debut as a director. The project, released in 2023, expands upon the narrative established in her viral music video, which gained significant cultural traction on Tumblr following the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling on same-sex marriage. While Kiyoko’s music has long been a staple of modern queer pop, the film represents an attempt to formalize the “Obamacore” optimism and focus on LGBTQ+ visibility that has defined her career.

From Music Video to Feature Film

The “Girls Like Girls” music video, which currently holds over 163 million views on YouTube, served as the primary source material for Kiyoko’s directorial project. The original video, released in June 2015, was praised for its candid depiction of a sapphic teen romance. According to the [official release details from Focus Features](https://www.focusfeatures.com/), the film adaptation maintains the central premise of the original story: a teenage girl navigating a new environment and an burgeoning romance.

Kiyoko, who is currently engaged to former *The Bachelor* contestant Becca Tilley, has frequently been cited by fans as a leading figure in queer pop music. Her 2023 novel, also titled *Girls Like Girls*, reached the *New York Times* Best Seller list, establishing a transmedia franchise that bridges music, literature, and cinema.

The Creative Direction of the Project

The film is set in rural Oregon in 2006, utilizing a specific aesthetic of nostalgia. The production design, including the use of an iPod Classic and AIM instant messenger, attempts to ground the narrative in the mid-2000s. Critics have noted that the film’s visual style relies heavily on a warm, saturated color palette that mimics the aesthetic of early social media imagery.

* Director: Hayley Kiyoko
* Lead Cast: Maya Da Costa as Coley and Myra Molloy as Sonya
* Setting: Small-town Oregon, 2006
* Release Format: Feature film adaptation of the 2015 music video

According to reviews from outlets like [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/), while the performances of Da Costa and Molloy are noted for their emotional resonance, the film’s script has faced scrutiny for its reliance on genre tropes. The film’s pacing is often described as a series of vignettes rather than a traditional narrative structure, focusing on the internal emotional state of the protagonists.

The Role of Representation in Queer Media

Kiyoko has stated that her primary motivation for the film was the necessity for more queer-centered storytelling. This aligns with a broader trend in pop music, where artists like Chappell Roan, Reneé Rapp, and King Princess have increased the visibility of queer experiences in mainstream media over the last decade.

However, the film’s approach to representation has sparked a debate regarding the depth of political storytelling in queer cinema. While the film prioritizes visibility, some critics argue that it lacks a broader institutional critique, focusing instead on personal, individualistic romantic experiences. This contrast highlights a shift in queer media from the overtly political activism of the early 2010s toward a more personal, character-driven style of storytelling that emphasizes individual identity over social commentary.

Key Takeaways

* Cultural Context: The project began as a music video released during a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, cementing Kiyoko’s status in queer pop.
* Narrative Continuity: The film is an expansion of the original music video’s storyline, aiming to provide a more detailed look at the characters of Coley and Sonya.
* Critical Reception: While the lead performances have been highlighted for their chemistry, the film’s narrative structure and script have been characterized by some as overly reliant on stylized nostalgia.
* Industry Shift: The film serves as a case study for how modern queer artists are leveraging established music fanbases to move into film and literary spaces.