Hayley Kiyoko is engaged, and she's happy about it. The Lemonade Mouth star spoke at the Asian American Foundation's 2026 Heritage Month Awards Dinner about what she'd tell her younger self—and the answer is direct.
"I would give her a big hug and hope that she had more self-confidence and self-love because we're so deserving of loving ourselves," Hayley told E! News. "It should not be this hard to love ourselves." The 35-year-old was reflecting on her 2015 anthem "Girls Like Girls," the song that shaped her career and resonated with the queer community.
Back then, Hayley wasn't comfortable in her own skin. Now, she said, "It's been a really beautiful journey because at the time, I was uncomfortable with who I was. Now I've been on stage singing 'Girls Like Girls' waving the rainbow flag."
Her upcoming film Girls Like Girls—which hits theaters June 19—marks her directorial debut. "For it to be my directorial debut, nothing will be more special than this moment," she said. "We need queer joy," especially during divisive times.
Hayley is also engaged to Becca Tilley. The couple, who have been together for over seven years, got engaged nearly a year ago. "It's really magical," she said. "I get why people, when they get engaged, they're constantly posting photos of themselves because love is so special."
As for wedding plans, Hayley is in no rush. "We're enjoying our engaged life," she said, "but we'll figure it out once the movie comes out."
