Check out our interview with stunning and talented pop singer Halston Dare.
Halston is not your average pop star. Growing up in a musical family to a Cuban American, immigrant father, Halston grew up with music in her blood. As a child, she grew up listening to classic 70’s, 80’s and 90’s music from the likes of Patti Labelle, Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, Donna Summer and Whitney Houston. As one of the brightest young voices in both the musical and digital influencer space, Halston is used to wearing many hats. “I want to be known as the girl who does it all. Music, fashion, make-up, sports. I want people to know that I’m a real person.”
Follow Halston at @halstondare
Hi Halston, please tell us a little about you?
I am a southern, Texan girl. I am so excited to turn 21 in four months! I grew up playing basketball, volleyball, and running track, and honestly thought I was going to go to the university and play basketball before I chose to do music. My favorite food is fried chicken tenders, or chocolate covered strawberries. My soulmate and best friend is Laila.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Bold, compassionate, sparkly, or fun
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
I would have to choose between either my parents or my best friend Laila. My best friend Laila of course is my rock in my life and I don’t know who I would be if I wouldn’t have met her. My parents have had my back my whole life, and have supported me and my career, and I am so grateful.
How did you get started in the business?
It all started when I made an appointment with a modeling agency that worked with Disney when I was 11. I called them right after school and didn’t tell my parents about it. Later that night after dinner I told my mom she needed to take me to this audition. At that moment she knew that I truly wanted to sing so she let me start taking vocal lessons and start doing writing sessions.
Did you go to music school?
I did not. Regular public/private school.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Edgy, pop, conversationally-poetic
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
Katy Perry had a huge toll on why I started my music career. She influenced why I am so transparent with my music and my fans. She’s just so weird and fun.
Do you ever get nervous?
It’s really weird, I don’t get nervous until I get off of stage. If I have to sing in front of 1 to 2 people I can’t even sing at all, if I’m singing in front of 30,000 people it’s literally no big deal to me. You would think it would be the opposite!
What is your next goal as a musician?
I want to go on a serious, headlining tour and open up for one of my idols that I highly respect in the music industry.
Now tell us about your new song “Replace You?”
“Replace You” is my newest single that I just released in April. I wrote it back in November of 2019 when I was dealing with an argument with a boyfriend at the time who was making me beg for his attention. I was chasing after him instead of him chasing after me. It was a time in my life that I didn’t understand my self-worth, I didn’t understand the love that I deserve, and I didn’t understand what it really meant to love myself. During the argument that I was having with him, I was quickly realizing that I was fighting for somebody who didn’t want to fight for me and somebody who also was acting like they were irreplaceable and that was definitely not the case. I was calling all of my friends that night crying and one of them was looking at me telling me “Halston, you have to write a song about this!” The next day I went into the studio to write a song with my favorite producer and writer Michelle Buzz, and I walked in and told her this kid thinks he’s irreplaceable!! And later that day we knew we were creating something super special, and that is how “Replace You” was written.
Do you have a tour coming up or where we can see you performing? (post Covid-19 lockdown)
Unfortunately right now I will not be touring until COVID-19 is done.
Do you have plans to do live performances/concerts in the future if the lockdown continues?
I have already been doing Instagram live concerts! They have been a lot of fun
What can we expect of Halston Dare in 2020?
You can expect more music videos, more music, and tour dates.
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
You Don’t Own Me with G-Easy
Name one your strengths?
One of my best strengths in life is giving advice. And in a perspective of music, melodies. Figuring out melodies for me is so easy.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Progress, change, development, and achievements.
Any loves other than music?
My friends, fried chicken, watching sports, and Netflix!
Any exciting news you want to share with us?
I will be releasing a music video for “Replace You” soon. It’s going to be so epic.
How’s a typical day in your life?
I usually sleep in every day until 9 or 10, and I get a bath, make my coffee, see if I have a writing session or an interview, help my mom out with her yard sign business called the Woodlands Yard Greetings, and then go hang out with my friends.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Tuna and crackers!
And your favorite cheat food?
Raising Canes, Cheeto puffs, chocolate pie, literally everything I eat is junk food.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
SMACKING!!! I can’t stand it!!!!!
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Julia Michaels. She is one of the biggest inspirations in my whole music career now. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have gone through so many horrible break ups or feelings. I love the way she sings. I love the way she writes. I love her all in general.
How would you describe your fashion style?
AWKWARD but fashionista, lazy sometimes, but then BAM 💥 she’s a model. It’s very weird.
Where we can follow you?
@halstondare ON ALL PLATFORMS!!!
Quote: Your attitude determines your altitude.
Song: The Only by Sasha Sloan, anything Julia Michaels, Live Wire by Motley Crue, Life in the Fast Lane by The Eagles
Movie: The Great Gatsby or The Conjuring
Travel Destination: Santorini, Greece!
Food: Chicken tenders
Sports Team: Golden State Warriors and The Patriots and The Astros!
Photo credit – Shaider Divina
