Weslo: Hey, it’s Wesley Smoot with Unleashed LGBTQ, today we’re chatting with Ashlee Keating, singer-songwriter, and pop star extraordinaire. How are you?

Ashlee Keating: Awe, you’re so sweet. Thank you, I’m great thanks!

Weslo: I got to tell you, “Saucy” quickly became a summer anthem for me. It was released this year with stellar reviews, so congratulations on that… What was it like working with such a talented group of people for this project?

Ashlee Keating: Ah, thank you so much!! That’s so amazing to hear and means a lot. I worked really hard on it. Man…I thank God and I’m grateful every day to have been able to have worked with the Champagne Therapy Music Group team on this music and SAUCY. They’re all insanely talented and down to earth people. Great energy, and that’s hella important to me.

Weslo: The music video to "Saucy" is just fabulous… And it seems now you have a huge LGBTQ+ following. I definitely see why your music is so appealing to queer audiences. Did you have many gay inspirations growing up?

Ashlee Keating: Thank you. Not in particular, but I did love Freddie Mercury and Elton John of course. I honestly always looked up to strong artists that made a huge impact on the world with their music and beyond as well as being very bold and fearless with their fashion tastes and decisions. I also loved Madonna, Cher, Lady Gaga, Prince, Pink, Britney Spears, Tina Turner, Marilyn Monroe…the list goes on. They were big in that community.

Weslo: Speaking of gay appeal… you have a recent single “YASSS”... another favorite. This track got over 1 million streams on Spotify in almost no time. What was that like?

Ashlee Keating: SO COOL!! Lol. It was my first million streams, and I still can’t believe it! It did well, even during the pandemic, and I hope it gave people a little escape and made them want to dance. I’m so happy everyone loved it, it’s a fun song and just the beginning.

Weslo: I just want to touch a little on your past, because you are no stranger to the spotlight… You were on Broadway at six years old alongside Richard Chamberlain (The Sound of Music), you played Annie at the famous Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, you’ve worked with Disney, CBS… You’ve managed to sustain and continue to grow in a very difficult industry. What has contributed to this? Any advice to other young talents entering the show business?

Ashlee Keating: I think it’s very important to know yourself well and stay true to your roots and who you are. If you don’t know, that’s okay—keep searching and keep finding it. Don’t be afraid to be that unique version of yourself. People in this industry have a lot of opinions, but always be true and authentic to who you are, work hard, and never give up!! It’s not easy, you have to be hungry!!

Weslo: Giving back is obviously very important to you. You work with philanthropic organizations that support women empowerment and the LGBTQ+ community including GLAAD, Girl Up, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Why are these endeavors so important to you?

Ashlee Keating: I love being involved in philanthropy. Giving back is such a big part of my heart. I team up or work with organizations I connect with. GLAAD is connected to the LGBTQ community which is dear to my heart, Girl Up is supporting women empowerment and leadership which I support heavily, and St. Jude and the Make-A-Wish Foundation are all about kids and helping them feel/get better which means a lot to me.

Weslo: So, Christmas is right around the corner and I understand you have something extra special for your fans this year… a remake the holiday classic, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”. I love the energy of this track, and I understand there will be a music video as well. Can you tell us a little more?

Ashlee Keating: YASSS!!! I’m so excited to share that this holiday season! It’s going to be super fun, and it’ll feel like a sassy and fierce type of holiday video with a little bit of naughty and nice like me haha. I loved my looks from the video. Hope everyone loves it!

Ashlee Keating is Comin' to Town!