We were lucky to catch up with Ryan Lill-washington recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ryan , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me was to give me a chance. Growing up in the South as an openly gay singer wasn’t easy, and I heard more “no’s” than “yes’s.”
When I was 19, I was told NOT to release my first song “Coming out,” because it was “too polarizing,” “too gay.”
I released it anyway, and the rest has been history. I was feeling so down before the release, and I was sitting at a coffee shop in my hometown of charleston, and a random lady walked up to me and complimented the shirt I was wearing, and told me she liked my purple hair. She asked if she could sit at the small table next to me, and we got to talking. I told her what was happening and her only response was “is the song something you love about yourself?” I told her it was starting to be, having just come to terms with being gay myself. She said “then release it, f*** what anyone else thinks.” I was shocked, because most older southern ladies in a small town wouldn’t curse, let alone tell someone to be themselves. It stuck with me, and it still does to this day.
It gave me the confidence in myself to say what I wanted, when I wanted, and to live authentically.
Ryan , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
A true born-and-bred Southerner, Charleston, SC native Ryan Lill is an artist whose star has only continued to rise. In addition to being a featured MTV Artist, Lill has performed alongside chart-topping artists like Meghan Trainor and Todrick Hall. With years of touring and live performances under his belt, Ryan has spoken openly about his experience and loyalty-ties to the LGBTQIA+ community. As an advocate for gender expression and visibility among the queer community, Ryan has become more than just a local sensation. Lill has also made a name for himself across the social media world, with his hit single “Adore Me,” and his new EP “Makeup” hitting top 40 radio. With multiple comedy music videos going viral, gaining the attention of Genius and The Huffington Post, it seems there isn’t much Lill can’t do. With a vibrant personality, and sense of self that attracts far beyond your average listener, Ryan is taking the world by storm, using humor, activism, and expression to make a change. Lill’s Southern charm and tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, alongside his relatability have earned him a loyal fanbase. His songwriting and musical stylings cut to the core with each track, and now, he’s taken fiction writing by surprise with his debut novel “On A Wire.” His second novel is set to release in 2023.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Over the years I’ve experienced my fair share of hatred, be it about my physical appearance, my music, or my affiliation with the queer community. I won’t lie and say that none of it has hurt me, or landed my in the comfy chair of a therapist, but I’m glad I’m as resilient as I am.
I’ve often turned the hatred into content for social media, using it as humor, a coping mechanism that my therapist may not agree with, but supports.
All of the experiences I’ve faced has given me a deeper appreciation for being exactly who I am, no matter where I am or what I’m doing. What you see is what you get.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I think when I first stepped into the music world, I wasn’t prepared for the negative effects it would have on my mental health, or how it would change the way I saw myself, both physically and mentally. I wasn’t prepared to have people tell me I wasn’t good enough, that my music wasn’t strong enough, or that I had to pick one or the other: writing, or singing.
Over the years I’ve had to really work on myself, not letting every bad word, negative comment, or mistake define how I view myself. It’s almost as if I’ve had to have two separate lives. I have my Hannah Montana life, then I take off the dresses and makeup to hangout in my hometown in jorts and a t-shirt.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/RyanLillWashington?fbclid=PAAabi0P6ZON1FLhpSU46XuZ8txJGR2LnuK3w9l4RQ3sCDLmo9lkNDojZCC5k
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/ryanlillwashington
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/ryanlillmusic
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCNOp7zoLkDlS5Ur5x4l-Q0w
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanlillwashington?_t=8aHl9V3EMXu&_r=1
Image Credits
Christopher Lill-Washington