Some artists whisper their truths; others sing them into the air with a kind of brave, trembling honesty. Skylar Simone does both. Her new single “Pedestal” is a cinematic ballad that finds her balancing tenderness and power, crafting a soundscape where fragility becomes its own form of strength.
The LA-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has long stood at the intersection of music, fashion, and emotional candor. With a voice that feels both intimate and expansive, Skylar’s artistry has already caught the attention of Variety, Billboard, Wonderland, and Galore — but “Pedestal” marks a new level of artistic maturity, a reclamation of identity that feels deeply earned.
Created alongside GRAMMY-winning producer Noel Zancanella (Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Alicia Keys) and multi-platinum songwriter Nate Campany (Dua Lipa, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter), “Pedestal” strips away production gloss to reveal the bare essence of Skylar’s voice — delicate yet commanding, gliding above restrained piano chords and sweeping strings. The result is both haunting and liberating, like the sound of someone stepping into the light after years of quiet observation.
“It started with the feeling of needing to be seen and loved for who you really are, not who you’re expected to be,” Skylar explains. “Between the outside pressures and the expectations we put on ourselves, there’s this unspoken performance we all get pushed into. My hope is that Pedestal makes people feel less alone and reminds us that our imperfections aren’t flaws to hide — they’re what make us human.”
In both the recording and live performance, Skylar commands the space with raw elegance. Her tone, equal parts resilience and ache, builds from confession to catharsis — a swirling violin cutting through the still air like a pulse returning. It’s the kind of performance that transforms silence into testimony.
REDEFINING POP ON HER OWN TERMS
After over a decade navigating the creative industry — from early acting gigs to songwriting sessions and breakout collaborations — Skylar has refined not only her sound but her sense of agency. Her earlier releases, including “YOU”, the slow-burning “What’s Good” (featuring Tone Stith), and her acclaimed 2024 EP SHIVER, introduced a sleek R&B-pop aesthetic laced with introspection.
Working with heavyweights such as Scribz Riley (21 Savage, Stormzy, J Hus) and Oscar-winner D’Mile (Rihanna, H.E.R., Silk Sonic), Skylar built her creative foundation within the high-pressure corridors of the music industry — but it wasn’t until she stepped away from the major-label circuit that she found freedom.
Now fully independent, Skylar’s output feels lighter, freer, and distinctly her own. Her recent singles — the magnetic “UberEX” ft. Tkay Maidza and the infectious “Do U Ever” — have showcased her versatility and confidence, while her viral drum covers remind fans that she’s not just a voice but a musician with real technical firepower.
“Pedestal,” then, feels like both a statement and a shedding: a declaration that artistry isn’t about perfection — it’s about truth.
A STAR COMING INTO FOCUS
At just 23, Skylar Simone is writing her story in real time — a story of artistic evolution, creative control, and emotional authenticity. She’s not chasing the spotlight; she’s building one of her own, one that glows softly and honestly, illuminating the corners of imperfection that most artists hide.
With “Pedestal,” Skylar stands not on a pedestal, but beside it — proving that in a world obsessed with image, real power lies in showing the cracks, not covering them.
“Pedestal” feels both stripped down and soaring — like a confession whispered into a cathedral. When you return to songs you’ve carried for years, how do you know it’s finally time to set them free?
“Pedestal” has always been a special one to me. It’s one of those songs you feel protective over because of its vulnerability, and I was honestly kind of nervous to share. It’s sonically a lot different than the music I typically make but I think that’s what pushed me to release it, because It shares a side of me that no one has really seen or heard yet.
You’ve spoken about the pressure to perform the version of yourself others expect. What did reclaiming your own narrative look like, both as a woman and as an artist?
I think everyone at some point has felt the pressure of expectations or needing to be the best version of yourself to the point where it feels like if you’re anything but that, you’re letting others, and yourself, down. For me, growing up in the entertainment industry as a young female, that was (and still is) a very familiar feeling that I’ve had to navigate. But, through those same experiences, I’ve also gained so much clarity and confidence in who I am. Everyday I feel less obligated to be what others want me to be, and instead shift my focus towards growing as the individual and artist that makes me proud and happy.
There’s a violin slicing through “Pedestal” that feels almost cinematic — fragile and ferocious at once. How did that element enter the song, and what does it represent to you?
I am a sucker for strings any chance I can incorporate them. It really adds such a raw and emotional touch that’s only possible through having some sort of orchestral element.
Your catalog so far has traced a spectrum: sultry slow-jams, bright R&B-pop, kinetic heaters. Where does “Pedestal” live in your personal map of sound and identity?
“Pedestal” to me is a sonic representation of an inner thought. A soft but powerful feeling echoing in your head that you can’t ignore. I love when I’m able to create and perform a song that truly encaptures the exact feeling the song was originally inspired by. Which makes Pedestal feel like a true time capsule of emotions that I was experiencing at that time.
You’ve collaborated with everyone from D’Mile to Tkay Maidza, from Noel Zancanella to Nate Campany. What do you look for in a creative partnership — and what do you protect for yourself alone?
I love to collaborate. Mixing different cultures, stories, sounds, etc into the music is what makes creating art so fun and special. I love to push boundaries and try new things in the studio so working alongside fellow creatives who share that same mindset is where I feel my best collaborations come from.
There’s an elegance in your live performance of “Pedestal” that strips away artifice. How different is the Skylar on stage from the Skylar in the studio or in private?
I think performance is where you get the most accurate version of me as a person and artist. Performing is by far my favorite thing to do for many reasons. You get to not only bring the music to life, but also get to see and experience the energy from the audience too which just feeds the performance and experience. I feel the most at home on the stage.
Breaking free from the major-label machinery is no small act of courage. What’s been the hardest — and most liberating — lesson you’ve learned as an independent artist?
The hardest part has always been trying to navigate this ever changing industry. However, the one thing that always rings true whether with a label or independent is to never wait on others to make things happen for you. Be the hardest worker in the room no matter what!
You’re not just a singer but a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and even a drummer with viral covers. How do all these threads weave into your larger vision of artistry?
I grew up listening and watching artists like Prince, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Beyonce, Bruno, Whitney Houston, etc who all inspire me so much. I love the way their music and performance leapt off the screen and just moved you. It’s undeniable. That energy is something that remains
my number one priority in my artistry and goal to make people feel the way those artists make me feel.
Looking ahead, do you imagine Skylar Simone as an architect of worlds — albums, visuals, performances that expand beyond singles — or do you feel most alive in the intimacy of one song at a time?
Both! I do love projects and building a world around a collection of songs alongside visuals, performances, etc. Which is what I’m currently working on now and am very excited to share soon. However, I think it just depends on the song and what makes sense in that given time.
