Daya is the 18-year-old songstress hitting the music scene with electro-pop vocals with a feminist message and an anything-but-typical sense of personal style. Earlier this fall, she released her debut album, Sit Still Look Pretty, with lyrics like, “I might love me some vanilla but I’m not that sugar sweet, call me HBIC.”
She’s also nominated for an American Music Award for her vocal collaboration with on The Chainsmoker’s Don’t Let Me Down. “I want to inspire very young girls to feel that they’re powerful, strong, and can do anything with their lives and to not let people try to put them in a box or mold or try to tell them to sit still and look pretty,” Daya told Allure.
Wearing a striped long-sleeve top, cropped trousers, and a long vest paired with heeled Doc Marten boots, the musician headlined Lord & Taylor’s annual holiday window unveiling last week after catching up with us to talk all things style, beauty, and her most embarrassing moment.
Your sense of personal style and your message as an artist is quite different from the typical pop star. How you choose an outfit for a performance versus just hanging out with friends?
Yeah, I don’t wear a lot of glitter and glam myself up a lot. It’s usually fairly simple and natural. This isn’t natural, what you’re seeing right now. But it’s not super glammed up, it’s just about wearing something that’s comfortable that still makes a statement.
I think when I perform, it’s obviously a lot more amplified and a little bit more flashy. I still try to keep it somewhat natural, and something I would wear on a daily basis, it’s pretty edgy and it can range from sneakers, boots...I typically don’t wear a lot of heels, just because I wear what’s most comfortable for me. Brand-wise, I love Doc Martens, Topshop, All Saints, and Lord & Taylor.
Have your ever had an embarrassing fashion fail onstage?
One time right before I went on, I was wearing these really cool new silver leggings, and the zipper was on the back instead of the front. They were super tight and so, I went to the bathroom right before I was supposed to get on stage and right when I was done, I tried to zip them up and it wouldn’t go. I had three people working on it, trying to zip it up. It broke and everything was just hanging out. I didn’t have my clothes with me, but luckily I had a jacket and I just tied it around my waist, literally, right before I was supposed to go on stage. I was praying the whole time that my jacket wouldn’t fall down because I was doing a lot of movement. Luckily, we were in the clear.
You’ve said before that you want to empower women with your music. How else would you define your sound?
I would say it’s pop with a message. It’s electro pop with a lot of production and driving beats. I like to write songs with meanings that people can relate to and that resonate with others. I try to write catchy hooks, but at the same time, things that mean something that will provoke thought.
Sit Still Look Pretty is the title track of my new album, and it really encompasses the entire album. It’s about making your own decisions as a female and not depending on a boyfriend or anyone else for your own happiness and finding that in yourself instead.
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Where do you take inspiration from as an artist?
I just pull from everyday things. I’m on the younger side in this industry, so I haven’t experienced many relationships or anything like that. My songs are more self-focused and more about development and bringing out the best in myself. I love Rihanna’s style. It’s a good mix of streetwear and show-wear, and I love her music, too. She’s an incredible singer and performer.
When you’re not going out, do you wear makeup?
When I’m around the house, I don’t wear makeup. Even when I’m at airports and stuff, people don’t recognize me at first. They’re like, ‘Are you Daya? I’m not really sure.’ Because I look like a completely different person when I’m not wearing makeup. I just like to let my skin breathe and not put anything on it. It’s also a lot of work, and I’m just not about doing that if I’m just going to be around the house.
With the holidays coming up, do you have any traditions?
My family is pretty untraditional, but every holiday, we try to go somewhere new and we try to experience a new culture. We’re lucky to travel. We’ve been to anywhere from South America to visiting our family in Germany and India. My favorite trip was actually visiting my family in New Delhi, India. I went there about four years ago. It’s such a cool place. The culture is amazing, it’s very colorful, the people are great and there’s always an adventure to be had.
What’s the most inspiring place you’ve been stateside?
I love New Orleans. I love jazz. I grew up practicing jazz piano and that’s just been such a cool genre to me. There’s a lot of talent there. I went to this one Preservation Hall jazz concert when I was there, and it just blew me away. It was this tiny little warehouse, but it was just incredible. Every time I’m there, it just inspires me to create more music.
What do you always bring when you’re packing for a trip or show?
I love Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo. I wear a lot of Maybelline eyeliner. It’s my go-to.
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As a performer, what’s your biggest moment so far?
One of the bigger moments this year was when I went to the White House to perform for the Easter Egg Roll for the Obamas, which was amazing. It was so cool to meet president Obama and Michelle Obama. My family was freaking out. I took them with me for a photo op and the meet-and-greet. They were such great people, so chill and down to earth, so it was so great to meet them. The girls weren’t there, but I met the dogs in the White House lawn. They were running.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
I can’t imagine not doing this. When I was really, really young, I wanted to be a doctor. But that’s not it today. It’s completely different from what I’m doing now.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Just work hard and not expect anything to be handed to you. I think that all of this is becoming so successful because I’ve put the work in. But it’s a little bit of luck, it’s a little bit of meeting the right people. I’ve been traveling the past year, just tirelessly and throwing myself out there, meeting new people every day and performing every day. It’s just been exhausting at some points, but it’s also my passion and it’s what I love to do.
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