At the inaugural National PrEP Day celebration in West Hollywood, hitmaker Leland lit up the Blue Carpet before joining the crowd at The Abbey for a night of drag, pop, and purpose. Between performances by Dua Lipa, Cardi B, and Kim Petras, the acclaimed songwriter, known for his work with Troye Sivan and Charli XCX, sat down with Gayety to talk about his recent creative streak and, most notably, his ongoing collaboration with Demi Lovato.
“I Love Working With Her”
When asked about seeing fans’ reactions to Lovato’s latest releases, Leland’s face lit up.
“Working with Demi in this chapter is so special,” he said. “I love working with her. It’s been so fun to have her come to the studio and just talk. That turns into these songs and visuals, and seeing it all come together has been such a treat.”
He praised director Hannah Lux Davis for shaping the era’s striking visuals and said this collaboration feels more personal than ever. “It’s not just writing music, it’s being part of the ride and helping bring her vision to life,” he said.
The Power of Joy in Pop
Lovato’s latest singles mark a shift toward upbeat, dance-forward pop—something Leland says reflects her current state of mind.
“Fans can see how much fun she’s having and how truly happy she is,” he said. “That energy radiates. It spills over into the music, into the visuals—it feels like a really nice chapter.”
For Lovato’s audience, that radiance is hard to miss. Her blend of vulnerability and empowerment continues to connect deeply with listeners, and Leland’s songwriting fingerprints are all over it, balancing emotional honesty with shimmering hooks that light up dance floors.
A Quiet Chapter Before the Next Big Thing
Even with Lovato’s new era thriving, Leland is far from slowing down. He teased a few “bucket list” projects on the horizon, some of which will be announced before year’s end.
“This has been such a fun year of writing with Troye [Sivan], which is always one of my favorite things,” he shared. “We just get to spend time together and write songs. It’s a slower, quieter chapter right now, but it always ramps up again, and I love that rhythm.”
A Night of Music, Movement, and Meaning
The interview took place during MISTR’s National PrEP Day kickoff event, an evening that merged queer joy, advocacy, and star power. Hosted by Bob the Drag Queen and MISTR CEO Tristan Schukraft, the celebration aimed to enroll 10,000 new people on PrEP within 10 days to help end HIV transmission in the U.S.
For Leland, that night, and this creative season, seem to share the same heartbeat, one fueled by connection, celebration, and the freedom to create without limits.
“Working with people I love, especially artists like Demi who are truly happy right now,” he said, “that’s the best kind of music to make.”
