interview by JANA LETONJA
With emotionally charged storytelling, infectious melodies, and an unapologetic sense of self, rising pop artist Seanna Pereira is carving out her own space in the next generation of pop. As she prepares to release her powerful new single, Eating You Alive, on November 13, she is turning heartbreak into a fearless declaration of self-worth, reminding listeners that walking away can be the ultimate act of empowerment. From being selected for Spotify’s Fresh Finds Class of 2026 to experiencing an extraordinary surge in her social following and preparing for her debut Los Angeles headline show, Seanna is quickly establishing herself as one to watch. Blending confessional lyricism with cinematic production and undeniable pop energy, she creates music that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
photography by SEAN BEHR
You’re entering such an exciting chapter of your career, with new music, a rapidly growing audience, and your first Los Angeles headline show on the horizon. How would you describe this moment in your life, both personally and creatively?
It feels like everything is finally falling into place. I’ve known this is what I wanted to do since I was little, so finally taking the steps to get there has been the most rewarding experience. I am so excited to keep growing and getting to connect with fans in person and start playing live shows.
Your upcoming single, Eating You Alive, is a bold anthem about reclaiming your power and recognizing your worth. What personal experiences or emotions inspired you to write this song?
I think we can all relate to staying in a relationship where we know we’re not being treated right, so the song is about finally moving on and being happy with a new person while a past relationship is seeing you thrive and regretting the way they treated you, especially now that they can’t have you.
There’s something incredibly liberating about reaching the point where you no longer need closure or validation from someone else. Was there a specific turning point in your life when you realized that choosing yourself was enough?
I think as humans we all crave a bit of validation, but I think falling in love with yourself first is the most important thing before any romantic relationship. My turning point was realizing that people come and go in our lives, but you’re stuck with yourself forever, so you might as well love and take care of yourself and make that a priority above all.
Your music balances emotional vulnerability with a strong sense of confidence and empowerment. How do you navigate that contrast when writing, especially when the emotions behind a song are still fresh?
I am definitely someone who writes in the moment and writes about whatever I’m feeling or experiencing at the time. Writing is my way of coping with emotions, so at the time it’s definitely very fresh, but the music isn’t necessarily coming out at the same time that I write the song, so I feel like it gives me enough time to process it before sharing it with the world, which is a perfect balance for me.
The title Eating You Alive is particularly striking. What does it mean to you, and what do you hope listeners take away from the song when they hear it for the first time?
I wanted a striking title that encapsulated the strong feeling attached to seeing an ex move on with somebody new when you’re not over them, and portraying that emotion where it really is just eating you alive because there’s nothing you can really do about it other than try to move on, which can feel impossible. I hope listeners feel confident and empowered after listening.
Your sound combines confessional songwriting, dynamic vocals, and cinematic pop production. How did you develop your musical identity, and when did you begin to feel that you had found a sound that was distinctly yours?
Honestly, I think my musical identity is developing every time I write a song. I think it’s something that continues to evolve. I will say songwriting definitely separates artists because, at the end of the day, we all have our own unique experiences and no one's story is the same, but I am still trying to find things that make me unique and sonically compelling.
Growing up, which artists, albums, or cultural moments made you fall in love with pop music? Are there any influences that still find their way into your work today?
I grew up an Amy Winehouse, Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Radiohead, and basically a fan of all pop music, but I’m such a lover of music in general and have a diverse music taste. The one through line for me, though, has always been storytelling in songwriting. I love songs that take me on a journey, and then I love tying the visual aspect into that as well.
Authenticity is a word that gets used frequently in the music industry, especially when discussing emerging artists. What does being authentic actually mean to you, and how do you protect that authenticity as your career grows?
Being authentic is about being vulnerable and honest in my songwriting and also staying true to myself and my core truth of why I want to be an artist. I hope that my music inspires people and puts feelings that they might not be able to describe into words that can hopefully help get them through whatever they’re going through. I think by staying true to my purpose and continuing to make music and visuals that I love, I’m able to keep that authenticity.
You were selected for Spotify’s Fresh Finds Class of 2026, a significant milestone for an emerging artist. What did that recognition mean to you, and did it change the way you viewed your own potential?
Being recognized by Spotify was such an honor, especially since, although I’ve been acting and singing since I was little, I only started releasing music this year, so I’m definitely new to this. Knowing that other people are loving and resonating with the music makes me so happy, and I’m just so grateful to be able to do this.
There’s a powerful visual and cinematic quality to your music. How important are fashion, imagery, and aesthetics in building the world around your songs? Do you see personal style as another extension of your artistic identity?
Coming from an acting background, the visuals are so important to me because I really feel like it all goes hand in hand in telling the story, and I want to be able to make videos where I’m able to put acting into it as well because it’s such a passion of mine, so being able to tie in my two worlds has been an absolute dream. I’m such a fashion lover as well, and I think it plays such a huge role, so continuing to find and build my personal style is definitely something I want to continue doing.
With your career gaining momentum, there must be moments when outside expectations become louder. How do you manage the pressure to keep growing while still allowing yourself the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and evolve?
I am such a perfectionist, and I tend to care a lot about what other people think, but especially in the past few months, I’ve learned to just trust myself. At the end of the day, it’s my art, and not everyone is going to love it, and you just have to be ok with that. I also don’t believe there is such a thing as a song being perfect. Even songs I released earlier this year, I look back, and there are things that I would change, but that’s the beauty of doing this and being able to just continue growing while having those past songs as reminders of personal growth and memories.
As you look toward 2027, what excites you most about the next phase of your career? Are there new sounds, collaborations, or creative directions you’re particularly eager to explore?
I spent the last few months writing so much new music and really growing as a person and as a songwriter while exploring a bunch of different sounds, so I’m really excited to hone in and start rolling out my next body of work. I really want to push myself outside of the box creatively, and I’m so excited to share it with everyone.
