You’ve heard of a triple threat – well, LA-based Stewart Taylor is a quadruple threat.
He’s not only a model, he’s also a talented singer, dancer and songwriter. He grew up in a small town outside of New York City, where he began writing songs and performing in local talent shows and Lower East Side clubs.
Since graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, he's collaborated with Grammy-nominated songwriters and producers Charlie Puth, (Wiz Khalifa) Kara DioGuardi, (P!nk, Katy Perry) Jayson DeZuzio, (Imagine Dragons) and David Pramik (Selena Gomez).
In addition to writing for himself, Stewart Taylor has penned songs for Romanian pop star Antonia and American Idol‘s David Hernandez. He is an active voice in the LGBTQ+ community and his coming out story was featured in the New York Times bestselling book, It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating A Life Worth Living.
Stewart’s catchy new single, “Cover Boy” is about falling in love, knowing your self-worth in a relationship, and not playing mind games along the way – all to a slick pop beat with a throwback vibe.
The song celebrates men who take chances with their personal style and showcase their multi-faceted and true selves – from glamorous to rough around the edges. Stewart cites James Dean, Marlon Brando, Harry Styles, and Timothée Chalamet as his favorite “cover boys” and adds, “I've always had a soft spot for the old school, brooding, classic Hollywood types.”
He goes on to say that “I was inspired to write ‘Cover Boy’ after landing my first magazine cover for my last single, ‘Mess Your Hair Up’,” Stewart Taylor continues from his Los Angeles home.
“I had just started dating someone new and the idea came to me when I felt like he wasn’t making enough of an effort to take things to the next level. I wanted to be his cover boy. I wanted to be front and center; the starring role in his life. The relationship didn't end up working out but it was a great premise for a song!”
The accompanying video keeps the fun vibe of the song intact, with an injection of fashion. Taylor turns out many different looks from Guess, Versace, and Chanel; surrounding himself with old vintage magazines, Polaroids, and a stereo from 1982.
He even dons a triangle jacket that pays homage to Madonna and the movie Desperately Seeking Susan. “I love bringing little moments from the past and carrying them into the future like that in videos. Hopefully some of the hardcore Madonna fans will get the reference!”
Get to know more about this model musician, as Stewart answers the Socialite Seven.
When did you know that you wanted to become a singer?
I knew I wanted to become a singer when I was about seven years old. I was singing along to my Christina Aguilera CD in my room and thought “I want to sing and make an album one day too!”
Who has had the biggest influence on your music and why?
I would say Motown, The Jackson 5, Prince, Madonna, and Christina Aguilera have had the biggest influences on my music. I love R&B and soul music and grew up watching anything I could find on VH1 about the Jacksons and the Motown era. But I have always been drawn to pop music at the end of the day because of the nineties/early 2000’s teen pop craze. All of those artists are fearless, bold, and have made incredible music and pop culture moments.
Who (if anyone) would you love to collaborate with?
If I got to collaborate with Lady Gaga one day I would likely die of happiness. She’s had a massive influence on me as an artist and influenced me on a human level as well. What a talent!
What type of music or artist that you listen to frequently do you think your fans would be surprised to learn that you're a fan of?
I’m actually a huge fan of Jewel, even though our music sounds nothing alike. I love how she emotes when she sings and her songwriting punches me in the gut in a good way.
What are you hoping to achieve with your music?
I just want to make people feel happy and free to be themselves when they listen to my music. I want to inspire and empower people to get up and live their best lives.
What are three things you can’t live without?
I can’t live without my cat Hank, my friends, and Robyn’s masterpiece Body Talk.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
The best piece of advice I’ve been given is to always ask for what you want in life. The worst thing anyone can tell you is no.
Watch the video for Stewart Taylor's “Cover Boy
Stewart Taylor’s “Cover Boy” is being distributed independently and is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms. For more information about Stewart, visit his website and follow him on Instagram.
