Still in high school, Toronto’s Zoelly has already released her brand new single “Bubble,” the follow up to her hit song “Blowing Smoke” (which raked in nearly one million streams on Spotify). As a kid, Zoelly spent her time penning lyrics and belting out catchy melody lines. Now, Zoelly writes infectious melodies and lyrics that connect with listeners. Keep an eye on this one; she’s positioned to be Canada’s next pop superstar.

We chatted with her this week.

SDTC: Describe your dream getaway scenario:

Zoelly: My dream vacation scenario would be to floating around on a private yacht, surrounded by crystal blue water while blasting music on the boat, tanning and singing along to all my favourite tunes.

Who is commanding a lot of attention in your life lately?

As an artist, I am always devoting all my time and energy to my music. Writing, recording, and working out my vocals with my coach takes up the most of my time and attention.

What have you learned about yourself in the past year?

I have become a Broadway addict. This past year I found myself loving and seeing many Broadway shows like Waitress, Beautiful and one of my favourites, Dear Evan Hansen (I auditioned for the role of Alana Beck for the Toronto cast).

What is a fun little-known fact about you?

I am a secret makeup lover!

What show have you connected with recently, and what about it appeals to you?

So I am currently binge watching a new Netflix series called Star, which is about a young girl like me, who discovers that she wants to make it BIG in the music industry. NO SPOILERS!

What’s the worst piece of career/life advice you’ve been given?

I once was advised to “be like this artist” when I would sing a particular way. This was the worst thing I could have even been told because what I realized (thankfully sooner than later) is that I need to be Zoelly.

What is your motto at the moment?

There is no life for me without music.

Goals for the summer?

Get my current musical project completed.

What are the qualities you like least and most about your parents?

They are always so supportive of my musical journey; they are there for me in every possible way they can be. But what is really getting me at the moment is that they are always on my butt about how I keep my room. They have an unrealistic expectation of what “clean” is (FYI it’s totally not that messy).

Rewind five years. What advice would you give yourself?

Dear my younger self: “Get your butt on Instagram already!” It never occurred to me when I started music how important social media was.

What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

I just had the opportunity to try out skydiving, something I never saw myself doing.

What childhood memory makes you laugh out loud?

OMG, last week I just watched a video of me at two years old singing “Over the Rainbow” with my mom. I was singing the melody correctly but the only word I knew was “Rainbow.”

What unnecessary object would you love to own?

I wanna be like Drake and have my own plane the has “ZOELLY” written down the tail.

What tip, technique or hack has made your life better in the past year?

Oh wow, I was introduced to a device I did not know of called “Mypurmist,” a handheld steamer for my vocal chords. #Warmuplifehack

What issue do you wish people took more seriously?

Mental health.

What outfit makes you feel the most you?

Most of the time I am in fancy clothing, but I feel the most “me” when I am home in Lululemon leggings and my favourite T (AKA my studio fit).

Who has surprised you lately, and how?

Ariana Grande. I can’t believe how she dropped two albums so close together. A) That’s super hard work and B) every song on both albums is killer.

When you look back on your life, are you at where you thought you’d be by now? Why or why not?

Absolutely not, I never thought at the age of sixteen I would have a song that is about to hit 1 million streams on Spotify, and now I have even more music that is releasing, and so far very successfully.