Chicago native Hailey Rowe is a sophomore Business Entrepreneurship major. She can be spotted around campus teaching Turbo Kick and PiYo (pilates/yoga fusion) at the gym or hanging out with her Pi Beta Phi sisters. Hailey can also be seen in her viral music video for her original song, “My Boyfriend is Gay.” The video has over 290,000 views on YouTube, and attracted the attention of the Grammy-winning producers behind FUN’s (We Are Young) album. Hailey wrote and recorded a song with them last summer.
So, you had a music video that got a lot of views. Can you tell me about that?
Yeah, that was my first big music video, and it’s for my original song, “My Boyfriend is Gay,” which is a funny song about finding out your boyfriend actually likes men. While it wasn’t my personal experience, it was inspired by some friends. We sent the song to music industry friends asking for feedback. They felt I really needed a video to go with the song. It’s very lighthearted and campy so we did it. A lot of people who saw the video said they have been in a similar situation and can relate to the song, so I’m really happy we did it. And, Jordan, you’re actually in it!
I am in it! [Laughs] I’m like, the main dancer!
[Laughs] Yeah! You’re awesome. I got a lot of my friends from LMU to be in it, which was super fun, and it couldn’t have gone better!
When did you start singing?
I started singing back when I was about 5 years old. I just happened to be at the dentist’s office, and I was singing Spice Girls in the chair. A lady overheard me and told me I should look into voice lessons. My mom signed me up for choir and private lessons, and I’ve been singing ever since. I started writing songs in middle school and…those were pretty bad. I’m still writing. I also perform in a band. It’s a lot of fun.
What’s the band’s name?
The band’s name is QuinnRowe, and I also perform as a solo artist, doing my original songs and my favorite covers.
What’s your favorite part about performing?
My favorite part of performing is getting out of my comfort zone. I’m a big adrenaline junkie and it’s fun to interact with the audience. I just really enjoy being creative. Whenever I watch someone perform, I try to be their biggest fan and whoop it up for them because I know how hard it is to be up there.
Besides singing, what else are you passionate about?
Besides singing, I teach at the gym, and I really like that. It’s another way I get my adrenaline fix. I’m also really into my sorority. I’m a member of Pi Beta Phi. I love being involved in that and all the lifelong friendships I’ve made.
What are you planning on doing with your Business Entrepreneurship major?
I’m hoping to maybe one day start my own business. I just know that I can’t have an office 9-to-5 sitting job, so I need to either start my own thing or figure something else out.
Do you have an internship right now?
I do. I have an internship with Live Nation. I actually just finished it. I worked in their touring department, and it was really interesting. As someone who enjoys music and performs, to be able to work on tours and the marketing behind them is awesome.
So, what’s next for Hailey Rowe?
Well, I’m performing at the House of Blues this weekend [May 4th]. I’m going home for this summer to perform in Chicago at different events, and I’m also working on some new songs. Summer is a time when I write a ton of songs, and pick what I think is best, so hopefully there’ll be some new music released this fall!
What’s your current single?
My current single is “Don’t Need Your Approval,” and it’s all about how you should just be yourself and not make choices based on what everyone else wants you to do. It was really fun making that video, too. We are trying to get lots of views. So far, we’ve gotten it on television and in stores. I’m really happy we did it, and it’s a fun song. The cast was quite colorful.
Check out “Don’t Need Your Approval” here!