Cruel Summer

Interview with Jacqueline

Article Published January 2019

Jacqueline EP
1. Love Myself
2. Breathe
3. You're Such A
4. Rock Bottom
5. Hurts So Good

You just released your first EP. What was the writing process like for that?
When I first signed, I had no idea how the writing process even worked. I thought I came in with my songs and would just start recording. Needless to say, it was a lot different then I thought. When I started writing with my team, we worked a lot on my already written songs and reworking those. One of the songs, "You're Such A", was a song I wrote in high school. When I first showed it the team, they hated it. But I'm stubborn and loved that song, so I was not letting it go. We spent what felt like weeks figuring out how to make it work into the EP. If you heard my first recording of the song, you would not even recognize it. Sorry, just kind of rambled on and on and didn't even answer your question. Overall, the writing process was a huge learning experience for me and a lot of work. But I'm so happy with how the EP came out.

You said you wrote "You're Such A" in high school. Did a lot of your inspiration come from your high school experience?
I wouldn't say a lot of it did, but yes some did. They always say high school are the best years of your life andI know that's not true. But I would say that high school are some of the most formative years of your life, at least for me it was. I didn't get into writing until high school. I had an amazing english teacher all throughout my four years who taught me how to put my feelings into words. If it wasn't for high school, I don't think I would write my own lyrics.

What was your childhood like?
I grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. It's a total touristy town. It's not too big of a city, but big enough to never have to leave. There's also so many movies and tv shows filmed there. I remember walking down the street one day Robert Downey Jr. at Starbucks because he was filming Iron Man. My favorite TV show of all time, One Tree Hill, was also filmed there. I've always loved music, but at first I thought I wanted to act because of all the movies and tv shows in town. I was even an extra in a few of the movies. I grew up with my dad, mom, and older brother. My dad is a union guy and works construction and my mom owns a boutique. I have a huge extended family, my dad is one of 10 kids. I grew up with too many cousins to count. We always hung out at the beach together. Growing up was great. I had an amazing childhood and I have my parents to thank for that. They would do anything for my brother and I.

You said your hometown was a big enough place that you never really had to leave. Why did you leave?
I love my hometown and I always will, but there isn't a lot of opportunities. While most of my classmates were so content with staying in Wilmington forever, I was not. I saw all these famous people coming in and all the success they had and knew I wanted that. I knew I wanted out of the city, but I didn't really know where I would end up. I thought I might go to Nashville as it's not too far from family, but my family convinced me if I'm gonna try the whole singing thing, I needed to fully commit. So after I graduated high school early, I packed up my stuff and moved to LA. It wasn't easy, but it's starting to be worth it.

What was the hardest part about moving to LA?
For me, it was definitely leaving my family. I mean, I was only 17 and had never lived on my own, let alone across the country from all my family. The first two months were the worst. I was homesick and struggling to pay expenses. Then, I started to work some odd jobs and talking to a few record labels and before I knew it, I was signed. My LA story is definitely the better of some I've heard so I'm extremely grateful for the opportunities I've had.

You moved to LA all on your own at only 17, knowing no one. Was if difficult to meet people and make friends?
Yes and no. I'm a very social person. My friends in high school would always get mad because I'd always know someone wherever we went and then I'd have to talk to them for "forever". So it wasn't difficult to make friends, but it was hard to find the opportunity to. Because I moved here and knew no one, there was no one to introduce me to anyone or show me around. Luckily, I met some friends at this restaurant I worked at who kinda took me under their wing. They introduced me to a few people and then those people did the same and before I knew it, I felt like I knew all of LA.

One of your best friends now is Taylor Swift. How did you two meet?
We met at the 2018 Billboard Awards. I had just released "Love Myself" and got an invitation last minute once the song started to hit the charts. Anyway, I actually met Taylor in the bathroom. I remember walking out of the stall and she was just standing there washing her hands. I've always been a huge fan. The first CD I bought with my own money was hers. I just got out of the bathroom, so I had to wash my hands. So I went to the sink right next to her and introduced myself while I washed my hands. She told me she heard my song and loved it and it took everything in me not to start crying there and then. We started talking and before we knew it, we had been in the bathroom for twenty minutes. Ever since then, she's been one of my best friends.

Is it true you and Taylor initially bonded over the fact that you both dated Harry Styles?
I mean we definitely talked about it because how weird to be best friends with someone who also was with your ex at one point, but it wasn't what started our friendship. Like I said, I've always loved Taylor and her music. So most of our friendship at first was me just blabbing to her about that.

Now that I've brought up Harry Styles, is it okay if I ask some another question about the two of you?
Why not.

How do you feel about the song he wrote about you, "Carolina"?
It's an amazing song. It's actually on multiple of my playlists. I will say it makes me sound a lot cooler than I actually am. But Harry makes everything sound cool.

Okay one more question about Harry and then I'm done. I noticed that all of his fans love you and are hoping for a reunion. Any chance of one?
A romantic reunion? No, I don't think so. Harry and I only saw each other for a few weeks before we decided we were better as friends. We still are friends so there has been "reunions" I guess you would say. We check in on eachother and meet up when we can.

You are known to be very open with your fans. What made you decide to live your life so much in the public eye?
I think the reason I decided to be so open with my life is because I grew up on social media. I remember when my mom finally let me get a Facebook when I was 13. Ever since then, I've spent basically every day of my life on social media, like most people my age. I know social media is not always great, but I see it as a way to really connect with people. If I post that I'm having a horrible day, one of my followers may see it who is also having a bad day may feel not so alone. People tend to only post their highlights of their life on social media, and I'm trying to get away from that.

You are very open with your life but many of your friends live a very private life. Is this difficult for you?
I don't think it's difficult at all. I respect their lifestyle and they respect mine. I am very open, but everything I'm open about only affects me. I'm not going to post about my fight with my best friend on social media because then they might get backlash. If I want to post something that does include a friend that's more private, I always ask if they're okay with it first.

Many fans are wondering if we can expect a tour from you this summer?
Actually, I am happy to announce that I will be joining Shawn Mendes on his North American leg of tour this summer! It's gonna be a great tour and I can't wait.