Model, singer-songwriter, and designer, Olay Noel, is giving HOLR the inside scoop on her latest single, “Flowers.”

Olay Noel is taking the world by storm as a model, singer-songwriter, and designer. The talented artist recently released her new single, “Flowers,” and is giving HOLR the inside scoop on who the song is dedicated to, what it’s like to be a songwriter, and some of her future goals.

Check out our in-depth conversation with Olay below to learn more about how “Flowers” pays tribute to the incredible black female artists Olay has been inspired by, as well as what she’s looking forward to now that she’s broken into the music space.

Talk to us about how you started in the industry as a model, designer, and digital maven- now singer-songwriter!

I started modeling when I was living in Atlanta -I’m from Georgia, originally. I was the taller girl in class so people always told me I should be a model. I went to different mall competitions and random things in Atlanta to try to get a better understanding of what modeling actually was. I fell in love with it over the years with runway shows and different photographers and portfolios, all of those interesting things. I moved to New York in 2013 to actually pursue it professionally and take it to the next level.

I was working there for about 4 years. I love music- I also grew up in a household of singers so I’ve always been a part of music in college, elementary school, choir etc. Our household was a real-life Dream Girls, Cheetah Girls, moment- that was literally our life! That was always a love of mine and I actually got the opportunity to be in a girl group while pursuing a modeling career so I moved home to Georgia, we went on tour and that was my first experience performing and being a singer.

I grew up dancing as well, so everything tied together. The group thing didn’t work out, unfortunately, but I learned so much about myself and myself as an artist and wanted to do it again. I moved to L.A. and this is the city I can be in to pursue modeling and music. I can also do my entrepreneurship by owning my own women’s brand.

Tell us all about your single, “Flowers.”

“Flowers” started from the idea of me loving and appreciating the women who have come before me. I had the thought of being an artist growing up and seeing women like Beyoncé and Janet Jackson, being inspired by their work. That’s what made me want to sing, dance, and perform. I fell in love with music because of what they created.

I wanted to do something that thanked them first- not 20 years later or once they’re gone. Whether they see it or they don’t, the intention is out. I wanted to create images that people could easily identify, and that was the idea behind the visuals for “Flowers.”

Who does “Flowers” pay tribute to?

There are definitely people such as Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, Beyoncé, etc. that I wanted to pay tribute to in “Flowers.” There are not enough words to describe the amount of love I have for them. Of course, there are some other artists I didn’t get to include like Toni Braxton and Whitney Houston, but I had to stop somewhere.

How did you find the songwriting experience?

It is a learning curve for me because I’m always in my head. This is the greatest gift on earth that people make songs and other people listen to them. I think taking one step at a time and being excited and inspired makes me excited to push myself out of my comfort zone. I also collaborated with other people who have 30 years in the industry, so we bounce ideas off of one another. I’m always learning to get out of my head and put it down but it’s been a process trying to create and put down beats.

At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong way to do it- it’s art!

What are some of your future goals now that you’ve added singer-songwriter to your resume?

I’m in my creative mode right now! I’m modeling and traveling still, and I’m always juggling things! I’m heading to the studio this week and everything is always moving. I’m actually working on coming out with my new single, which is going to be more of an R&B vibe. “Flowers” was upbeat and happy- which I love- but R&B is my love, my core. I’m excited to share that with the world! As far as my brand, I’m always coming out with new items, new womenswear, and jewelry. I just launched an Amazon Store which is cool!

Published by HOLR Magazine.