EXCLUSIVE Q&A INTERVIEW: Getting Personal with Claire Sully

Photo of Claire Sully. Photo Credit: Mia Murray.

Claire Sully did a Q&A interview with Global Pop Trendsetters! (Interviewed back in late November 2024.)

Read our Q&A now!

Global Pop Trendsetters: What is your songwriting process like?

Claire Sully: My songwriting process starts with inspiration. Typically, it’s someone who I’m very much drawn to, either platonic or romantic. In this case, it was romantic. I draw inspiration, sound-wise, from artists that I listen to and go to my producer for him to build a track around that artist or song. When I’m sent back an instrumental, I’ll begin writing lyrics based on how I feel and pay attention to what my emotions are telling me.

GPT: Who’s your biggest influence in your life?

CS: My biggest influence is probably Michael Jackson, Miley Cyrus, and Kelsea Ballerini. I grew up on such a diverse music catalog ranging from genres such as Country, Pop, Oldies, Motown, Gospel, EDM, and even movie sound scores!

GPT: What is a day like for you in Boston?

CS: Oh, Boston, haha! I love you! It depends on the weather, I think!

It’s pretty bipolar over here. I must say, I like the summers and autumns in Boston. On a regular day basis, I’m pretty much working with my producer Paul Napash, who’s based up in Canada and is a 3x nominated producer. We’re working on music almost daily, and if it’s not music, it’s landing as many meetings as possible, sending emails out to industry reps, and always grinding! I also enjoy quality time with friends, so you’ll find me going to movies, shopping, and walking around the city. On days off, I really like taking time for myself and spending it outdoors in nature, going to church, or simply resting. I think it’s so important as a public figure, to take days off and sometimes do nothing! Rest is so important, and I think sometimes people don’t realize how hard an independent artist needs to work in order to achieve success!

GPT: How do you feel about the Boston Celtics?

CS: You know what, I’m going to be honest with you! My side job is pretty fun because I get to work Celtics games almost every day of the season! However! I became a fan more recently because I work at TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics, but I’m an LA Lakers fan! (Sorry, Bostonians) I will proudly say I’m so happy the Celtics became champions this year! I was in Kansas when they won; I was in my hotel room watching the game. It was a very exciting time for Boston, and I think we’re going to have another fantastic season!

GPT: I know religion is a big part of your life, would you consider writing a religion song? I’m asking because it’s the holidays, and faith-based songs are popular this season.

CS: My faith has always played a very important role in my life yes.

I haven’t thought of writing a religious song yet, and I think it’s because my fans come from different backgrounds and countries and practice different religions. However, I do write lyrics that tie into my faith for sure when I’m writing songs! I’m very blessed to have fans who write to me and express their love for God and share their relationship with Jesus.

GPT: Do you feel like your sexuality affects how you conceive and create music?

CS: When I’m creating music, I don’t feel that my sexuality affects it as much. I came out later in life, so now I get to create these beautiful, challenging, memorable experiences. I’ve always been more private when it comes to my sexuality in my personal life, but I never really saw it as this huge deal. I think I scream I love women in my music because I have such a big heart and fall intensely, it’s the inner Leo in me! Haha! For the last couple of years, I have been following Renee Rapp’s career in music and on TV. I had seen her in a show called “Sex Lives of College Girls,” and her character in Season 1 was still closeted and struggling with her sexuality. I couldn’t relate more with a character, also because we are the same age in real life. It wasn’t until watching her come out in season 2, relieved, happy, and more at ease, that I felt like, If she was able to do so, why couldn’t I? You know? Now happily out, publicly as a bisexual woman, I don’t feel anything has changed about me, when it comes to my values and morals, I’m still very much grounded in my faith, keeping an open heart and mind. I still have so much to experience, but I like taking my time with it and doing everything gradually. It’s the only way I’m able to be raw, real, and confident in who I am. I think music that highlights sexuality is sexy, it’s relatable and fun! Even if you’re straight! Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, and Demi Lovato were putting out hits when I was straight, and I found that I was relating with them because these powerful women were experiencing things we all did in our teen years and 20s!

GPT: How has your view of the world changed since you fell in love?

CS: I think since falling in love with this beautiful girl from Kansas, I think I just have become more aware of what I want and who I am. I’ve learned it takes time to get to really know people. I think when you’re going out of your comfort zone, in this case, we both were. I think it’s important to be vocal about what you’re looking for, take your time, and go slow. Now, I approach relationships with caution, and I’m not pouring all of my heart and love into someone so quickly. I do have a big heart, and I realize I care about people very deeply, it’s not something I’m ever ashamed of, and by no means do I want to come off as conceited, but I do think I have so much to offer someone when I’m in a relationship, both platonic and romantic. There was something truly so special about this girl. It was everything. It was the way she carried herself with grace; it was her maturity in topics that I opened up about in relation to my personal life, it was two hearts, two souls developing an emotional bond that allowed us to feel safe and vulnerable. That’s something, as a public figure, I don’t feel I had a lot of access to. Even with us being miles apart, I still very much think we have this soul connection, which is why I think we’re both still in touch. Falling in love is such a beautiful feeling, and I’m not closed off to trying again in the future, but I can say confidently today that she’s the reason I’ve hit the level of success I’m at currently. Of course, with some contributing factors, but without her, there’s no Secret Love, and without Secret Love, I feel my level of success wouldn’t be this high.

GPT: What role does your culture play in your music or personal team?

CS: I was raised in the capital of fashion. Milan Italy! While I was growing up in Milan, I was growing up in Argentina and Boston, where my mother and father are from. I was exposed to a lot of culture living in Milan because I attended an international school. I’ve been a world traveler for as long as I can remember, and with that, I was exposed to a variety of cultures, which led me to fall in love with different genres of music. I’ve experimented with country music, EDM, Spanish Pop, and Mainstream Pop. I’ve always been attracted to several genres, as they’ve shaped my sound in the last few years, and I’m excited to see what 2025 brings!

GPT: How do you approach interpreting and performing a song?

CS: I approach performing a song, starting my set with the most upbeat song to get an audience excited and get a feel of what my music is about. I like ending my sets with more emotional songs, as I find that I’m more connected with my songs and my fans at the end of my shows and my most vulnerable.

GPT: Can you talk about plans with your Billboard producer?

CS: Absolutely! I’m working on some new music with Nick Nittoli. He’s produced for Snoop Dogg, French Montana, Zendaya, and others. He works aside CTM Outlander, an Independent managing and publishing company that’s worked with artists such as Zara Larson, Austin Mahone, and Sam Hunt, to name a few. We’re set to release music in 2025, and what I can say about this song is it’s a little more raw and emotional.

GPT: How does it feel to be nominated for the Grammys?

CS: I had the honor of being recognized by the Recording Academy this year, as I got my song “Never Gonna Lose Me” off my album “Secret Love: The Album” that was “For Your Consideration.” I attended a Grammy Awards “For Your Consideration Concert” and was placed on this year’s Grammy Awards Ballot. Since then, I feel that my career has elevated and has opened doors to new opportunities that have me feeling blessed.

GPT: What’s your motto or some good advice that you live by?

CS: I’ve always been inspired by Miley Cyrus, and I go by her lyric and inspirational quote, “Life’s a Climb.” As for advice to anyone trying to break into the industry, I’d say it’s so important to stay consistent and keep grinding. The more effort you put in, the bigger the outcome.

GPT: What is your main goal in your music career?

CS: My main goal that I’d like to achieve in my music career is landing a strong publishing deal that eventually will lead to a record deal. I’d like to become a touring artist and open up for a major artist. I hope that years down the line, I’m still inspiring fans through my lyrics and songs.

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