Loren Gray Wants Her 'Queen' Video To Make You Feel Like Royalty, Too

Loren Gray is already a bona fide star, boasting more than 15 million followers on Instagram and signed to Capitol Records. Although with her latest single "Queen" and the release of its equally-royal music video, Gray's fans expect 2019 to be the 16-year-old singer's biggest year yet.


As she starts that breakout year, Gray caught up with TRL about how she's empowering her fans (and herself) with "Queen," having a vision come to life with the song's music video (which you could watch below), and going back in time to share suggestions with her 11-year-old self.


TRL: In the "Queen" video, you're truly royalty, from the lyrics to the wardrobe. What was it like for you to act out this royal fantasy?


Gray: It was awesome! Honestly, I've never been dressed up like that; it was a crazy experience. I helped with the [music video] treatment and yes it was my vision, so to have it actually come to life was insane.


TRL: Did you have that vision for the video while you recorded the song, or did you develop that later?


Gray: I certainly had an idea, especially While I heard the track. It's such a dark and epic-sounding song, and I wanted that to mirror in the video. I wrote the treatment a couple of months right after I wrote the song, however I certainly knew what I wanted back Once I was writing it.


TRL: Absolutely! The music video was directed by Ariel Michelle; you posted on Instagram about the significance of having such a talented woman direct the visuals for "Queen." What was it like to work with Ariel on this project?


Gray: I certainly wanted a woman to direct the video because this song is such a female-empowering song, so that was really crucial to me. Her vision was exactly what I wanted and it also came out astonishing. This music video was a big deal for me, as it was for Ariel, so it was a really special experience.


TRL: And with yours and Ariel's visions combined, what do you hope your fans feel if they watch the "Queen" video and listen to the song?


Gray: I hope they feel empowered! I mean, that's why I wrote the song. I wrote it at a time If I required a boost of confidence and the video's a sort of fantasy, right? It's not realistic, although it's very empowering.


A lot of people have even tweeted me saying "This is my anthem!" Or realizing "This boy is treating me not how I should be treated." It may open people's eyes to how they do deserve respect in a relationship. In any sort of relationship or friendship, you deserve the most respect – and deserve to be treated like a queen!


TRL: Of course! I know you also posted behind-the-scenes footage of how you had to sing at double the speed while filming the slow motion scenes. Was that a tough thing to get right on set?


Gray: Actually, I was surprised at how well I did with that! It was crazy, it was so fast. At first, they wanted me to do it at one-and-a-half speed, and then they asked, do know you can do it double speed? I was like, um, let me hear it! They played it, and I gave a try and yes it worked out!


I love the way that Ariel had that idea to contrast the slow-mo and the real-time footage. It was really dope and I love the way it came out.


TRL: It looks like "Queen" has right now become your most-viewed music video to date! How have you felt about the reception to it thus far?


Gray: It was so astonishing, because I put so much work into this video and thus did each person else on set. It's truly the opening music video that I've done that I was so, so excited for. I did another music video and I was excited for that one, although this one was on another level because it meant a lot to me.


I'm so glad that everyone's adoring it as much as I did any time Once I first saw the video. I was actually in the studio with the producers who helped make "Queen" any time we first all watched it with each other, and we were all blown away. It was exactly what I wanted, and everyone's been tweeting me about it. The fact that it's still growing is insane.


TRL: You've also mentioned – and your fans have mentioned – that this is your year. What else do you have in store for 2019?


Gray: Well, I certainly have quite several songs dropping before March. There really are some assignments that I have been working on for a while, so I'm super excited for that. And an album at some point this year is the goal!


You know, music sort of works in a funny way where you just go with the flow. Whichever happens, happens. Some days you don't have good music to put out and some days you do. And now, I'm at the point where I have so much astonishing music and I've worked with so several astonishing people! I have so several things coming out that I'm so excited for.


TRL: Before you embark on the rest of your 2019, in the event you can go back five years, what would you tell 11-year-old Loren about what's in store for her future?


Gray: Oh my gosh. I would tell myself to keep doing what I'm doing, because I'm exactly where I need to be. I think five years prior, especially, I wanted everything now, and didn't aspire to wait for anything. I also was going through a lot with bullying and being in school, so I think that perseverance is a big lesson I would teach myself.


This interview has been edited for span and clarity.