IN CONVERSATION WITH LEXIE STEVENSON

interview by JANA LETONJA

Emmy-nominated actress, singer & songwriter Lexie Stevenson released her debut single “'Cowboy Pillows', marking a powerful and personal milestone in her artistic journey. In 2024, Lexie had two exciting roles, starring in the Lifetime's 'Love at First Lie', which also became available on Amazon Prime Video, and in comedy 'Katie’s Mom'. Outside of her artistry, she is the first Black woman to be named Head of the Advisory Board for The Endometriosis Foundation of America, and the youngest woman to ever serve on the board. 

You're releasing your debut single 'Cowboy Pillows'. Tell us more about the story behind the song and why now felt like the right time to release it.

The idea for ‘Cowboy Pillows’ came from a couple of different places. First, I had heard the term “cowboy pillows” and thought it was just such a fun, cheeky phrase. It stuck with me right away. But honestly, part of it came from a very real, personal place, too. For a long time, I was extremely flat-chested, and for me, that affected how I felt in my femininity. I always saw breasts as something deeply tied to being a woman, and after eventually getting an augmentation, I found a new sense of confidence in that side of myself.

Right before I wrote the song, I went on one of my first dates with my now boyfriend. We ended up having a conversation where we realized we were completely aligned on certain values. In our case, many traditional values that I don’t think you hear talked about as much anymore. I’ve always looked up to my parents' marriage and the traditional values they have, and that dynamic, when it’s healthy and mutual, is something I’ve always wanted for myself.

After that date, I went straight into the studio with my incredible producer Zach Allen and our co-writer Nick Columbia, and we started building the story around it. At its core,’ Cowboy

Pillows’ is about celebrating femininity and the softness we bring to a relationship. It's about creating that safe space for the man you love, but also having that balance where both people are pouring into each other and showing up for one another. I wanted women to feel empowered to embrace that and not be afraid to own those qualities that make us strong in our softness.

How personal was the songwriting process for 'Cowboy Pillow’?

‘Cowboy Pillows’ was personal when I first wrote it, but it’s become even more personal since then because I ended up dating the guy who inspired me to write it. Like I’ve said before, I

naturally lean more on the traditional side of things, not just in dating, but with life in general. I think the word “traditional” can sometimes get a bad rap because people assume it means boring or outdated, but this song is proof that it can be anything but that. 

The term “cowboy pillows” is a playful reference to a woman’s body, but it still keeps things fun, flirty, and classy at the same time. This song is from me to my man, so it’s very personal for us. But even while writing it, the other writers I worked with connected to it in their marriages, which made the process even more special. I hope that anyone who listens to it can take the song and make it personal for themselves and their partners.

You had two exciting acting roles in 2024, 'Love at First Lie' and 'Katie’s Mom’. How did these roles differ from your previous work, and what did you enjoy most about them?

Both projects were special to me because they allowed me to explore different sides of storytelling that I hadn’t in the past. ‘Love at First Lie’ was a fun mix of romance and suspense, while ‘Katie’s Mom’ allowed me to explore my comedic side, which was a lot of fun. Compared to my time on ‘The Young and the Restless’, where I was doing daytime drama every day, these projects felt like I could have time to really sit with the character, explore their nuances, and work more closely with the production team, directors, and cast. I think what I enjoyed most was the creative freedom and being able to step into characters who were different from anything I had done before, while still bringing pieces of myself into them.

Your artistic journey started early, even before your teenage years. What was it like growing up in Brunswick, Maine, with such a strong passion for performance?

It was unique. Growing up in Brunswick, I didn’t have the huge performing arts scene that you might find in bigger cities, but I had an incredibly supportive family. My parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams, and I think being in a smaller town made me more driven to accomplish my goals. I had to create my opportunities, whether it was singing at local events, participating in theater whenever I could, or taking trips to New York and LA to train and audition. That early hunger shaped my work ethic today. I can’t help but also guess that growing up in Maine fostered my creativity because of how much you have to entertain yourself in a small town. Little things like building fairy houses, forts, playing games with my friends, or creating collages out of seashells, all played a role in developing the right side of my brain. 

What lessons did you carry with you from your training with Mary Setrakian and your time in musical theater?

Working with Mary was life-changing for me. She helped me develop not only my technique, but also my emotional connection to the music. I carry that lesson with me whether I’m singing, acting, or even speaking publicly. And beyond the technical side, she even shared this little tea recipe that has saved me countless times. It’s just hot water, lemon, and cayenne pepper, but anytime my throat is sore or I feel congested, it works like magic. That’s a trick I still swear by to this day.

Musical theater also gave me such a solid foundation early on. The discipline, the rehearsal process, the stamina it takes to perform consistently, and the importance of working with others. That training has followed me into every part of my career.

And now, working with my vocal coach Jessica Freedman has made such a huge difference in continuing my growth. She’s been instrumental in helping me refine my voice even further,

strengthen my range, and take everything I learned from Mary and build on it. I feel like with Jessica, I’ve reached a new level vocally that’s allowed me to step into the artist I want to become.

You’re not just an artist, but also a fierce advocate. As the first Black woman and youngest person to lead the Advisory Board for the Endometriosis Foundation of America, what does that role mean to you personally?

It means everything to me. Endometriosis has caused a lot of health issues for me, and for years, I felt like I was a crazy person, but turns out my pain was not understood due to the lack of awareness around the disease. Being able to now stand on a platform where I can advocate for others is one of the most meaningful parts of my life. Thanks to the foundation and the incredible women I get to work with regularly, we are saving women from having to go through the same experiences the rest of us had for as long as we did.

You've been open about your near-death experience with endometriosis. How has that experience shaped the way you view your life, your work, and your platform?

It strengthened my relationship with God quite a bit and probably makes me more grateful than I otherwise would be for the opportunities and life I have been given thus far. My experience is not unique, and there are people who have not made it through those situations, but because I did, I think it has to do with more than just being grateful for life, but using the life I was given to leave the world better than I found it. Even if that looks like just helping one other woman get a diagnosis a little quicker, which means less pain.

You’ve juggled acting, music, athletics, advocacy, and more. How do you maintain balance while continuing to grow in so many areas?

Funny you ask that. I was having this conversation with my mom today, and to be honest, I have no idea. In the novel, ‘The Bell Jar’ by Sylvia Plath, there is something called The Fig Theory that I relate to heavily. It’s a metaphor for the paralysis of indecision and the fear of missing out on the “right path” for your life. So, using that same metaphor, I have tried to keep several figs alive, and part of finding myself in my 20s was realizing that I don’t need to keep all of the figs alive and just choose the ones that taste the best. At the age of 26, I decided the music fig, the advocacy fig, and the acting fig were the only figs I wanted to keep alive. And if I’m being honest, I am still trying to figure out how to keep those 3 figs not just alive but thriving.

Looking ahead, what can you share with us about your upcoming projects for 2025 and beyond?

I can share that I am focusing mostly on the “music fig” right now, and my first song on my 5-song EP project will be released on 18th July. It's very upbeat and makes me want to line dance when I’m listening to it, and I hope it has that same effect on everyone else. I truly cannot wait for everyone to hear it.

CREDITS
photography VERONICA SAMS