Hayla Admits Taking Inspiration from Whitney Houston And Is Open To Covering The Icon One Day (Exclusive)

Rising vocal powerhouse Hayla is not just captivating audiences with her soaring voice — she’s capturing hearts with her unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community and the musical inspiration she draws from none other than the late Whitney Houston.

Fresh off a dynamic performance at WorldPride in Washington, D.C., Hayla sat down with Gayety for an intimate conversation about her music, vocal influences, and the deep bond she shares with her queer fans.

“It was incredible,” Hayla said of performing at WorldPride. “Honestly, such an amazing crowd. You could definitely feel the energy — it was really positive. Everybody was singing together, just in unity, in love.”

For Hayla, Pride isn’t just a performance opportunity — it’s a platform for connection and advocacy. She emphasizes the importance of making LGBTQ+ individuals feel “safe, connected, loved, seen, [and] heard.” And through her music, that’s exactly what she aims to do.

Singing with Purpose

Known for her emotional delivery and vocal agility, Hayla’s sound draws clear inspiration from the greatest diva of all time: Whitney Houston. Her earliest memories of music, in fact, are shaped by Houston’s voice.

“My first ever album that I listened to when I was younger was The Bodyguard,” she recalled. “From that moment on, I was absolutely hooked with trying to emulate that sound… I’ve just been singing along with Whitney for years.”

That childhood admiration has grown into a lasting influence on her style. Houston’s signature blend of power and vulnerability helped shape Hayla’s approach to music — one that values emotional resonance just as much as technical skill.

“I do have a version of me singing ‘I Will Always Love You’ when I was four,” Hayla said with a laugh. “It’s recorded on a little Fisher-Price recorder.”

Though she hasn’t yet covered Houston’s classics in her professional work, Hayla isn’t ruling it out. “I probably would,” she said when asked if she’d ever record an EDM-forward Whitney tribute. “It’s quite big shoes to fill. But maybe — if I felt the fear and did it anyway.”

A Voice for the LGBTQ+ Community

While her talent turns heads, it’s Hayla’s allyship that continues to cement her place as a beloved figure within the LGBTQ+ music community. As Pride celebrations take center stage in cities around the globe, Hayla is using her voice not just to entertain but to uplift.

“It’s really about spreading the word that everybody should feel safe within their space,” she said. “Spreading love, unity, community — making sure that everybody who feels like they don’t belong knows that they’re not alone.”

That message isn’t just lip service. Whether through performances at LGBTQ+ festivals, her lyrics, or her open and welcoming presence online, Hayla makes it a point to center queer fans and create a space where they feel celebrated.

And the connection is mutual. Fans have responded with enthusiasm to her music and performances — and for good reason. Her songs often speak to overcoming fear, embracing confidence, and living boldly — themes that resonate deeply within queer communities.

“The response, especially from having my own album out… it’s not lost on me how the songs have resonated with people,” she said. “To be able to sing them in front of so many people has been incredible.”

The Journey to Now

Before breaking out on her own, Hayla collaborated with top producers and DJs in the electronic music scene. Her powerhouse vocals became instantly recognizable in dance tracks that lit up clubs and festivals alike. But her solo album marked a turning point — not just in her career, but in how she uses her platform.

“After working with so many amazing people… I think the confidence, the feel-the-fear-and-do-it-anyway kind of came through,” she said.

That phrase — “feel the fear and do it anyway” — is more than just a motto for Hayla. It captures the essence of her approach to music, performance, and advocacy. It’s a sentiment that mirrors Whitney Houston’s own journey — one of vulnerability and strength, of confronting fear with grace and grit.

As Pride Month continues, Hayla remains committed to showing up — not just on stage, but in spirit. Her presence at WorldPride in D.C. was a highlight of the weekend, drawing loud cheers and heartfelt applause from fans across the spectrum of gender and sexuality.

The connection she shares with the LGBTQ+ community is deeply personal and rooted in mutual love and respect.

“If I can, in my small kind of way, make people feel a bit more safe, connected, loved, seen, [and] heard — if I can do that through music somehow — that’s how I’d like to envelop people,” she said.

And if the crowd’s reaction at WorldPride was any indication, she’s doing exactly that.