Fans of Tiffany Houghton probably know her as the bubbly pop singer with the sugary sweet voice and adorable '50s-inspired style. But as the 20-year-old rising star proves in her latest music video for her acoustic single "17 Again," which was inspired by the "Moon River" balcony scene in Breakfast at Tiffany's, she's not afraid to lay her emotions on the table. This fearlessness, the Texas native says, is simply part of a desire to make her fans "feel like they're along for the journey."
For Houghton, the journey has included moving to Nashville when she was 18 and perfecting a sound that combines Taylor Swift's country sweetness and storytelling with Katy Perry's pop-rock edge. Two years later, with dozens of self-produced singles and music videos under her belt (including the infectious "Love Like That" and "High") and plenty of new music on the way, there clearly is no slowing down this budding star.
We caught up with the Los Angeles-based Houghton to chat about the inspiration for "17 Again," her appreciation of decades long gone, and her love of all things Nick Jonas.
Zimbio: What does your acoustic single "17 Again" mean to you?
Houghton: It's a song I wrote when I was in the process of moving to Nashville. I graduated high school early and moved there right after I turned 18. I left my school, my boyfriend, and my family — it was the hardest thing in the entire world to move away. I got homesick. But I felt this shift in who I was and what I needed to do. One night I sat down and cried because I didn't want to be strong anymore. I wrote all of these lyrics to "17 Again." It's about leaving my boyfriend, my innocence, stability, and my safety net.
Zimbio: What is it about "17 Again" that may or may not surprise your fans?
Houghton: It definitely shows a different side of me and my artistry. Everything is usually well-produced and polished. My fans really reacted to the rawness and vulnerability of a homemade video I put out called "Phone Call." I was like, if my fans are liking this, why not show them this other music I have, even when it's not fully produced, to help them feel like they're along for the journey.
Zimbio: You use the lovely "Moon River" balcony scene from Audrey Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's as inspiration for the music video. What's the story behind that?
Houghton: It's my favorite scene. I love that vulnerability. In the movie, she [Hepburn's character] is running away from things all of the time. But she's a wild thing and is in search for stability — as we all are. This scene is the one moment where she was the most vulnerable. "17 Again" is very much a similar story.
Zimbio: What is it about the '50s and '60s that you love?
Houghton: "Innocence is bliss" is probably my sum up statement for the reason I love that time period, especially as I get older and have more grown-up life experiences. I love to allude to time periods I've never lived in, but I also think there was a different attitude back then. Everything had a price you had to pay. There wasn't shortcuts or instant gratification. At the end there was a real world. I just love that.
Zimbio: You needed to be brave in order to pack your bags for Nashville and leave your life behind. Where does this courage come from?
Houghton: Growing up my mom and dad would always tell me that Houghtons can do hard things. It almost brainwashed me into believing it. My parents were married at 18 and had no money, but so many dreams. They moved to Dallas, a place where they didn't know anyone, and figured things out for themselves. I really look up to that. I want to be that type of person that risks everything.
Zimbio: You're based in Los Angeles now, but lived in Nashville for two years before that. Why did you decide to switch coasts?
Houghton: I feel like I had to go to Nashville to figure out how to write songs — it's an incredible town for songwriting. My inspirations are Shania Twain, Sara Bareilles, Michelle Branch, Avril Lavigne, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry. A common thing with these artists is that they write their own songs and have a story to tell. They spent so long working on their artistry and figuring out who they were in order to share that with the world. So, for two years in Nashville, I really figured out who I wanted to be as an artist. Once I felt I had that figured out, it was time to move to L.A. because I want to be a pop artist.
Zimbio: You said Nashville taught you a lot about songwriting. What exactly did you learn?
Houghton: It taught me the importance of knowing your own voice and knowing how you say and portray certain things. Being able to talk to people and have them listen to you is a really big deal and I don't take that lightly.
Zimbio: You have released a ton of songs and music videos. Is there a debut album in the works?
Houghton: This is the year of putting out soooo much music. I have so many songs in my journal and have a vision for each song. I want each of them to have their own life because I think they deserve that. I'm putting out singles with music videos for the rest of the year. Some will be full-on produced, some will be a bit more vulnerable like "17 Again."
Zimbio: Since the release of "High," which has over a million plays on VEVO, how have things changed?
Houghton: That was the first song I put out where I was totally confident in who I was — that was a really big deal. I put out something that I didn't have any apologies for. I had no hesitation. It was me. Also, a lot more people started taking me seriously. Honestly, when you have confidence that alone will open doors for you.
Zimbio: This is a bit random, but you're always seem to have cupcakes, cookies, and lollipops in your music videos. Is there a reason for that?
Houghton: Honestly, I think growing up my mom, who is an interior decorator, decorated the house with food. She would have cake desserts and cinnamon rolls and decorate with them. I dunno why, but it definitely comes from my mom.
Zimbio: When you're not in the studio, what are you up to these days?
Houghton: I'm out on a college and high school tour. At high schools I'm singing for students and talking to them about my journey and what it's like to pursue a music career. I'm so excited about that. In my high school, I remember Kristin Chenoweth came and I swear to you it changed my life. She had the most amazing things to say to us. And, oh gosh, I can't even compare myself to her, but to have the same kind of opportunity to talk to kids, tell them about my journey, and try to help them is just cool. I'm having a lot of fun with that.
Zimbio: What is your dream collaboration?
Houghton: I would love to write a song with Shania Twain, but I would love to do a duet with Nick Jonas [laughs]. I love him soooo much it's not even funny. I'm obsessed! The Jonas Brothers were huge when I was in school, and, oh my gosh — I was so in love.
Zimbio: Have you ever met Nick Jonas?
Houghton: I see him all the time in L.A. We're usually driving and I'll pull over and he's pulled up next to me. It's a total fan girl moment every single time. One time, I kind of met him from afar. He knew the friend I was with. I don't know if he actually knows who I am — well, he probably knows me as some weird fan girl, honestly. But that's okay.
Zimbio: Yeah, that's totally cool. We all have our celebrity crushes.
Houghton: Right? We've all had those moments. I feel like there are two types of fan girls: those that are honest about it and those that deny it. Everyone is a fan girl, it just depends on how honest you are about it.
