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Life & Work with Heavenleigh Villar of Other

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heavenleigh Villar.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Heavenleigh Villar, but most people know me as Hev’s Journey. I’m a 13-year-old pop and R&B singer and songwriter, and music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

My musical journey began when I was just 5 years old. Even at that age, I loved singing and expressing myself through music. By the time I was 8, I had already stepped into a recording studio and recorded my very first song. I didn’t know exactly where music would take me, but I knew it was something I loved and wanted to keep doing.

As I got older, music became more than just something I enjoyed. It became a way for me to express my feelings, share my experiences, and connect with other people.

In January 2026, I officially released my debut single, “You Can’t Help But Like Me,” a song about confidence and not allowing other people’s opinions to define who you are. In September I followed that chapter of my journey with “Mirror Mirror,” another song that encourages people to recognize their beauty and worth.

My musical influences include Ariana Grande, SZA, and Laufey. I love blending pop and R&B while exploring different sounds, emotions, and styles. Although some of my music focuses on confidence and empowerment, I don’t want to be limited to just one message. I also love creating music about friendships, growing up, having fun, and all the different experiences that come with being a teenager.

Today, I’m continuing to record original music, create music videos, work with dancers, and prepare for opportunities to perform on bigger stages. Being selected for music festivals and having opportunities to share my music with new audiences has been really exciting.

My dream is to become a successful recording artist, tour, and create music that people all over the world can connect with. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’m excited about everything ahead of me.

The name Hev’s Journey represents more than just my music. It represents my growth, my experiences, and everything I’m becoming as an artist and as a person. I started singing at 5 years old, and eight years later, I’m still chasing the same dream, just on a much bigger stage.

And the best part is, my journey is only beginning.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. When I was in fourth grade, I experienced bullying from girls I thought were my friends. That was really hard for me because I didn’t understand why people I trusted would treat me that way. It affected my confidence, but it also taught me how important it is to know my worth and not let other people’s opinions define who I am.

Music helped me express feelings that I sometimes couldn’t explain. Those experiences became part of the inspiration behind my songwriting, especially songs like “You Can’t Help But Like Me” and “Mirror Mirror.”

Another challenge has been learning how to balance being a regular teenager with pursuing my dream of becoming a recording artist. Between school, recording sessions, rehearsals, and preparing for performances, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Sometimes I have to miss out on things other kids my age are doing, but I know I’m working toward something I really love.

I’ve also learned that building a music career doesn’t happen overnight. There is a lot of practice, patience, and work that people don’t always see behind the scenes.

Through everything, I’ve learned to believe in myself, keep going even when things get difficult, and remember why I started singing in the first place. I know there will be more challenges along the way, but I’m excited to keep learning and growing.

I want other young people to know that difficult experiences don’t have to stop you from chasing your dreams. Sometimes those experiences help you discover just how strong you really are.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a 13-year-old pop and R&B singer and songwriter, and music has been my passion since I was 5 years old.

My music combines pop and R&B with different sounds and styles that reflect who I am. I’m inspired by artists like Ariana Grande, SZA, Laufey, Tate Mcrae, but I’m also working on creating my own unique sound.

In January 2026, I released my debut single, “You Can’t Help But Like Me,” a fun, confidence-building song about being yourself and not worrying about what other people think. My next single, “Mirror Mirror,” continues that message of self-worth and learning to see the beauty in yourself.

I’ve also been working on expanding my music catalog with songs like “Lucky Star,” “Cry,” “Sinking,” and “Dance.” These songs allow me to explore different emotions, musical styles, and experiences beyond just confidence and empowerment. I want people to see that there’s more than one side to me as an artist.

Right now, I’m especially excited about recording new music, developing my live performances, and preparing for opportunities to perform at music festivals. I’m working on bringing more energy and choreography into my shows because I want people to have a great experience when they see me perform.

One of my biggest goals is to release a full project and eventually headline my own tour, which might actually be happening sooner than I ever imagined, so stay tuned! I’m really excited about what’s coming next, and I can’t wait to share more. I want my music to reach people around the world, and I hope to keep growing as both a songwriter and performer.

What makes Hev’s Journey special is that I’m sharing my life through music as I grow up. My sound, my experiences, and my creativity are all evolving, and I want my fans to be part of that journey.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think taking risks is part of chasing your dreams. Sometimes you have to be willing to try something new, even when you don’t know how it’s going to turn out.

For me, one of the biggest risks has been putting myself and my music out into the world. I’ve loved singing since I was 5 years old but releasing my own music for everyone to hear is completely different. It’s exciting, but it’s also a little scary because you never know how people are going to react.

When I released “You Can’t Help But Like Me,” I was sharing something that meant a lot to me. I had to learn that not everyone is going to like my music, and that’s okay. What matters is that I’m creating something I believe in and being true to myself.

Another risk is stepping outside my comfort zone as a performer. Recording in a studio is one thing, but getting onstage, learning choreography, and performing in front of people takes a different kind of confidence. Every time I try something new, I’m challenging myself to become a better artist.

I don’t think taking risks means you can’t be afraid. I think it means believing in yourself enough to try anyway. I’d rather take a chance on something I love than look back one day and wonder what could have happened.

I’m only 13, so I know I have a lot ahead of me, but I’m not afraid to dream big. After all, you never know how far you can go if you don’t take that first step.

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