Hayley Kiyoko hopes 'Girls Like Girls' opens the door for more Sapphic stories

Hayley Kiyoko reflected on the importance of telling authentic stories about queer women in Hollywood

More than a decade after releasing her breakthrough song and music video Girls Like Girls, Hayley Kiyoko says she hopes the upcoming film adaptation will help usher in a new era of sapphic representation in Hollywood.

Speaking with Variety, the singer and actress reflected on the importance of telling authentic stories about queer women and expressed hope that the project will encourage studios to invest in more LGBTQ+ narratives. Kiyoko said she wants audiences to see that there is a strong appetite for stories centered on sapphic relationships and experiences.

Originally released in 2015, Girls Like Girls became a cultural touchstone for many young queer fans. The story later expanded into a novel and has now been adapted into a feature film following Coley and Sonya, two teenagers navigating first love and self-discovery in 2006.

Kiyoko told Variety that she intentionally wanted the story to focus on joy, romance and the excitement of first love rather than trauma. She explained that growing up, she rarely saw stories that reflected her own experiences and wanted to create something that younger audiences could connect with.

The artist also spoke about the long journey involved in bringing Girls Like Girls to the screen, emphasizing how meaningful it has been to tell the story in an authentic way. She said she hopes the film's success will demonstrate that stories about queer women deserve the same opportunities and visibility as any other romance.

While Kiyoko is proud of what Girls Like Girls represents, she stressed that one successful project should not be viewed as an exception. Instead, she hopes it will help create more space for sapphic stories in mainstream entertainment.

For Kiyoko, the film is not just about revisiting a beloved project, but about helping ensure that future generations have more opportunities to see themselves represented on screen.