10 QUESTIONS WITH HAYLEAU, POP PRODIGY

By popular request, we're bringing back our "10 Questions" interview series, where Couturesque spotlights the creative voices that are inspiring us today. These individuals are using their talents to making innovative art, create communities, and imagine a brighter future for the next generation. You can find our full archive of "10 Questions" stories here.

To get things started, we spoke with rising musical act Hayleau, a.k.a. Hayley Law, whose thoughtful, vibey take on pop is a distinct blend of nostalgic and contemporary, and zeitgeist-y and personal. Though you might recognise her from playing Valerie on Riverdale or her role in this year's The New Romantic, she is very much a creative mind in her own right. Syncing up multi-layered artistic interests and a passion for social welfare, Law is charting her own ascendant path.

Introduce yourself and tell us about what you're working on right now.

I'm ~* H A Y L E A U*~ from Vancouver. I'm a musician, but I'm also Hayley Law - an actor. Right now, I'm finishing up my album and wrapping a couple film projects! What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to play video games, be outside as much as I can be, which totally contradicts the video game thing, haha, but it's a good balance. I love discovering new-old music when I have time; listening to old jazz I've never heard before. Where are your favourite places in your city?

I just moved to LA but whenever I go home I have to eat pho and drive through Stanley Park in the evening :) Where is your sanctuary - where you go to get away from things and recharge?

The bathtub. Bubbles, a candle... just to lay there and not think about anything. Name your creative dream team - you get three choices, dead or alive.

Masaharu Morimoto is my favorite chef. Harley Weir is such an incredible artist, I would love to work with her. And Michael Jackson... needs no explanation. The music would be... tears. What is your best vintage find and what is the story behind it?

I LOVE The Simpsons [and] I found this Krusty the Clown tee at my fave vintage store in Vancouver (F as in Frank - also a must hit when in Vancouver) and it's been my favourite t-shirt ever since. What is an issue that you are passionate and what should we know or be doing about it?

I read about a young boy who came out to his parents and was embraced, but when he came out at school he was bullied terribly and he committed suicide days after. It broke my heart. To be an adult and worry about being accepted is one thing, but for a child to be brave enough in a world where kids are assholes, to be comfortable and proud and honest and be punished for it kills me inside. He was 9.

I want to kids, youth, and adults as well to know that they have the support of so many more people [than they think] and that we love who your genuine true self is. As a child in school, you really don't see LGBT acceptance that young. People need to be educated from the womb, straight up. Let kids, teens, adults be whoever the fuck they want. No more headlines like that innocent boy. I could have go on for another twenty minutes. But that's one issue among many I want to speak about.

What advice would you give to your 17 year old self? He's not worth it. No one is worthy of you actually, young Hayley. And I know you're worried about going to college, but we both know you're not going to go. Its gonna be all good.

What is a great song, book, TV show, or film that you recently discovered?

Taj Mahal - Jorge Ben Jor. I listen to it whenever I need to be lifted up. Listen to it! You'll get it. Favourite inspirational quote?

Do or do not. There is no try. - Yoda... But also my dad says it all the time, so I love it even more.