IN CONVERSATION WITH LANA LOVE

interview by JANA LETONJA

A classically trained powerhouse with roots in opera, jazz, musical theatre, and piano, Lana Love fuses her music with a fierce, theatrical pop-rock sensibility. From performing as a Disney princess in 40+ countries, to joining Team John Legend on ‘The Voice’, she first made waves in 2021 with breakout single ‘American Love’. She recently also made her debut in Season 2 of HBO’s Emmy-winning series ‘The Rehearsal’.

From ColdStone Creamery to ‘The Voice’ and now Times Square, how would you describe your journey in one word, and why? 

Resilient. It’s wild to think how far I’ve come since my ice cream-scooping days, but it’s really been one step at a time. I’ve learned to turn rejection into redirection, and each plot twist has helped me built my stamina and sharpened my arrow. I’m a double Capricorn, so the goat keeps climbing.

You’ve called your sound a mix of Lady Gaga and ‘Phantom of the Opera’. How do you blend such theatricality with mainstream pop-rock appeal? 

I was classically trained in opera and piano, so my ear naturally gravitates toward melody. And I’m here for the drama, I’m a theater girl at heart. For me, songwriting is all about storytelling. I want the listener to feel like they’ve been scooped up into my world and get to play, dance, and cry in it with me.

Your new single ‘Lost Boy’, feat. Ghostface Killah, is dropping on 13th June. What inspires it and what can fans expect from it? 

'Lost Boy' is about the tension between feminine and masculine energy in relationships. It’s brutally honest. I wanted both sides of the story to be told. Ghostface brought a raw, real perspective that countered mine perfectly and made the track whole.

Your blind audition of Mandy Moore’s ‘Candy’ on ‘The Voice’ was unforgettable. What was it like working with John Legend, and what did you learn from that experience? 

Thank you, I appreciate that. John was so kind and gracious, both on and off the court. He really took the time to listen and offer thoughtful feedback. What stood out most was his calm confidence. My experience on ‘The Voice’ taught me to trust my instincts. Choosing to flip 'Candy' into a downtempo ballad was definitely a wild card, but I knew I had to take a risk and stretch my artistry. I like to challenge what I believe I’m capable of.

How did your creative relationship with Ghostface Killah and Wu-Tang Clan begin, and what can you share with us about it? 

I met the Wu-Tang Clan at 2am while serving tables at the Chelsea Hotel during their Tribeca Film Festival afterparty. RZA started jamming on the keys and freestyling, and a hotel guest who knew I was on ‘The Voice’ shouted “Lana has to sing!” I played some Lady Gaga, and one of Ghostface’s friends asked “What else you got?” Something clicked. Since then, I’ve been working in the studio with Ghost’s producer/engineer, RayRay Scavo III, on my EP. I never saw that one coming, but it works.

You describe your personal style as “Warrior of Light Goddess Energy.” How does your fashion connect to your music and stage persona? 

Fashion is big part of the story. Whether it’s silver body paint, armor, or wings, I dress how the music feels. If the song is about rising from the ashes, I want to look like fire. Style is another layer of the narrative.

Your songwriting process involves synesthesia. How does “seeing” music shape your creative vision? 

I see colors, textures, and movement when I hear music. It’s like every song is a film playing out. I’m just trying to translate from the ethers what I see and hear in my head. 

You’ve said you’ve written “10,000 hours of bad songs” in your home studio. What kept you going through the rough drafts? 

If I have something to say, I have to say it. Sometimes I just have to figure out how to say it in a song so I don’t offend people. I guess that’s healthy. Every 'bad' song was a step closer to the one that would crack the door. I’ve always tried to write the song I needed to hear at the time, but from a place of having made it to the other side.

Classically trained in opera and piano, how has your musical foundation helped you carve out your own fearless sound? 

It gave me a toolbox. Now I know the rules, which means I can break them on purpose. That foundation gives me the freedom to be experimental and still grounded in something solid.

Who are your biggest musical or theatrical influences, and who’s your dream collaboration right now? 

FKA Twigs, Lady Gaga, and Taylor. Right now, dream collab? FKA Twigs or Lady Gaga. I love artists who push genre and visuals.

You appeared in HBO’s ‘The Rehearsal’ and spoke out about artists’ rights and creative consent. Why is it important for young artists to understand their rights early in their careers? 

Because ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s expensive. I’ve seen how easily artists can get manipulated when they don’t know what they’re signing. Creative freedom starts with legal clarity. Protect your art.

Tell us more about your passion for animal advocacy, and what makes this cause so dear to you. 

I’ve been vegan for over 10 years, and for a while, I actually lived in the back of a dog rescue. Being surrounded by animals was so healing for me. They love unconditionally and remind me to stay soft in a hard world.

What is coming up next for you this year? 

More singles, more videos, and the release of my EP ‘Sorry I’m Human’. I’m also looking forward to performing live more and fusing theater, fashion, and pop in a way I’ve never done before.

TEAM CREDITS:

photography MAX DURANTE
styling CARLTON JONES
hair and makeup D'ANGELO THOMPSON