Kelz on Becoming, Letting Go, and Learning to Trust Herself
Meet Kelz through this exclusive interview for Alicia’s Studio, where we sit down to talk about A Sweet Passerby, the emotions behind her latest music, and the personal shifts that shaped this era. While the album explores different sides of identity, perception, and vulnerability, the conversation naturally moves beyond the songs themselves—into the experiences, realizations, and moments of growth that exist behind them.
For Kelly, this period of her life has been less about proving something and more about learning how to stand confidently in who she already is. There’s a sense of quiet honesty throughout our conversation as she reflects on becoming more intentional with her time, her creativity, and the way she chooses to show up.
"I think this comes with remembering there is nothing to prove to others in the very end," Kelly shares. "Rather, learning to be okay with who I am and where I’m at."
That mindset has shaped not only how she views herself, but also how she approaches her music. After years of being more reserved and staying behind the scenes, Kelly describes stepping into a version of herself that feels more willing to take up space.
"I feel like I’m less passive nowadays," she says. "I used to be more behind the scenes and hidden with myself. Nowadays, I feel I’m more bold and driven to express myself and my art the way I want it to be seen."
Part of that growth has come from understanding what deserves her energy—and what doesn’t.
When asked what she’s become less apologetic about as she’s gotten older, Kelly keeps her answer simple: "Saying no!!!! It’s totally okay to not agree with everything."
It’s a small statement, but one that reflects a larger shift. Protecting her time and energy has become something she values more intentionally, especially as her career continues to evolve.
"Definitely my time and energy," Kelly says when reflecting on something her younger self might have given away too easily. "I’ve gotten more selective and intentional as I’ve gotten older. I can say it’s such a step forward for myself and my well-being!"
That same awareness has carried into the way she approaches her career. Kelly recalls a conversation from the past few years that changed how she viewed taking initiative.
"It made me realize that I can’t sit and wait for someone to bring and help me do what I want," she explains. "To get things done, I gotta be the one to start and make it happen. What’s stopping me from making it happen now?"
For an artist who once questioned her own instincts, that realization became an important turning point.
"I used to not trust my own vision and rely so much on others to a point where I felt insecure with my own initial ideas," she says. "Of course, this isn’t the case, and I try to remember I have so many things to say too, even if the way I get there may be different or unconventional."
That relationship with self-perception is something Kelly carries into A Sweet Passerby. Songs like "Sweet Escape," "Breathe," and "Just Us 2" may each stand on their own, but together they reflect a larger conversation she’s having with herself.
"There’s a connection with how they all relate to my own self-perception with myself," Kelly explains. "It’s all part of an inner dialogue regarding my identity and processing as the album progresses."
With "Just Us 2," the song’s beginning came from a feeling that appeared almost instantly.
"I instantly knew there was something special brewing once the bassline fueled so much of the little demo I was playing around with," she says. "I loved the vibrant and fun energy that was cultivating, even just from the simple lyrics of that chorus."
That contrast between sound and emotion becomes one of the most interesting parts of the album. While the music can feel bright and inviting, there are deeper emotions sitting underneath.
"My new songs from A Sweet Passerby can deceptively feel light and upbeat while the lyrics are actually more somber and deeper than it appears to be," Kelly shares.
For her, that contrast is intentional in its own way.
"I see this as also a way my head tries to associate these deeper feelings into cathartic moments with the music, becoming like a distraction at times too in a way."
When listeners spend time with A Sweet Passerby, Kelly hopes they experience the album as more than just a collection of songs.
"I hope people explore how my album as a whole feels like a journey rather than a singular piece," she says. "Did sounds and words feel cathartic or uncover buried questions for the listener? Do people associate my music with someone they know or knew?"
But that doesn’t mean every listen has to be a deep reflection.
"Also, it doesn’t have to be that deep and that my music just makes people want to move and vibe out," she adds.
That balance feels central to Kelly’s artistry—the ability to hold heavier emotions while still creating moments that feel alive.
Through A Sweet Passerby, Kelly isn’t trying to present a perfect version of herself. Instead, she’s allowing listeners to see the process: the uncertainty, the confidence, the questions, and the growth that happen along the way.
It’s an album shaped by learning to trust herself—and a reminder that sometimes becoming who you are means finally giving yourself the space to be heard.
