AMERICAN singer-songwriter Kaiza says her new single, ‘Go Figure’, released this week is about “the fine line between admiration and imitation”.
The 23-year-old, who has family living in the Principality, feels the song sends a powerful message to young girls “in a world where they are constantly measuring themselves against what they see”.
“I wrote it from the perspective of someone who's been watched, copied, judged, and misunderstood – all at once,” she reveals. “I wanted to give voice to that unique tension of being seen as a role model while also feeling the weight of envy or fake love.
“It's not about tearing other girls down – it’s about owning your identity, standing in your power, and showing that confidence doesn’t make you the villain.
It’s the kind of song I needed when I was younger - to remind me that it’s okay to shine, even when it makes other people slightly uncomfortable or even envious.”
The singer, whose childhood was punctuated by performances at the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York City where she showcased her singing and piano playing abilities, is now at her best singing dark, romantic pop.
With 124,000 Instagram followers and thousands of Spotify listeners, Kaiza occupies an interesting space in the contemporary music landscape – successful enough to have built a dedicated fanbase, but not so mainstream that she's lost the intimacy and authenticity that drew people to her in the first place.
Her most popular track, ‘Dead Or Alive’, has garnered over 173,000 plays, while recent releases like ‘Time Stands Still’ and ‘This Love’ continue to build momentum for an artist who seems to be hitting her creative stride.
But ‘Go Figure’ promises to be her personal statement yet.
In today’s music scene, where viral trends and controversy are all the rage, Kaiza is stepping into the spotlight with a refreshing mission: to be a classy, confident role model for the next generation, especially for young girls navigating who they are in a world full of influence and influencers.
With a voice as powerful as her message and lyrics she pens herself, Kaiza, who shares Chinese and Slavik heritage, certainly isn’t following the usual formula.
While many pop artists embrace bold, provocative images and themes, Kaiza is carving out her own path, proving that you can be successful, relevant, and inspiring without compromising your values.
Former Disney star Sabrina Carpenter is a headlining pop artist who has recently sparked a major public conversation over her raunchy cover art and excessive overtly sexualized marketing – imagery that quickly becomes aspirational for millions of young fans who hope to copy their role model.
However, Sabrina is not the first to go down this route, as this seems to be the blueprint for many artists throughout the years who have found success through this direction as a near-sure way to gain or hold the public’s attention.
Stars like Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus and Doja Cat have all taken this well-trodden path in recent years – and to great commercial effect.
But Kaiza has no desire to criticise her fellow artists. “I absolutely respect that Sabrina, Billie, Miley and Doja as well as many others are expressing themselves differently and I do think it works for some,” she says.
“I just know my own vision, and I’d like to be an example of how you can still be creative, current, and confident – and still stay aligned with what feels right for you.
“There’s power in modesty, in elegance, and in being intentional about the message you’re putting out there. I don’t think the younger generations have had a chance to see that.”
That contrast isn’t just visible in the artists – it often starts behind the scenes. Many major record labels have long leaned into provocative branding as a marketing strategy, recognizing its ability to spark attention and drive engagement.
Kaiza, who was previously signed to one of these top labels, recalls feeling that pressure firsthand. While the intent was never malicious, the unspoken message was clear: boldness sells, and boldness often means being more scandalous.
“There was definitely this underlying idea that you had to push boundaries visually to stay relevant,” she explains. “But I realized that wasn’t the kind of artist I wanted to be. I’m not against anyone choosing that route – I just knew I had something different to say.”
Ultimately, this became one of the major factors in Kaiza’s decision to leave the label and stay true to her values – proving that modesty and authenticity can be just as compelling as shock and spectacle.
Now Kaiza’s music is resonating with a growing audience that’s hungry for something real.
Fans are connecting not just with Kaiza’s sound, but with her purpose. She’s not chasing fast fame – she’s offering connection. And in doing so, she’s setting a new standard for what influence in pop music can look like.