Tiffany Young Is Ready For Her Solo Spotlight
Even if you don’t listen to K-Pop, chances are you know what it is.
If you don’t, here’s a refresher: it’s a genre of pop music originating in South Korea. These popular K-Pop bands are known for serious fandoms—think of them like the Backstreet Boys or the Spice Girls of South Korea.
Tiffany Young was scouted at the age of 15 in Southern California, and then moved to South Korea to pursue a career in K-Pop. She eventually joined a very popular K-pop group (that you may have heard of) called Girls’ Generation.
But just like Beyonce eventually went out on her own from Destiny’s Child, Tiffany is ready for her solo spotlight. Not only has she released a new EP, Lips on Lips, but she’s moved back to the US and is writing for a more American audience.
While entering the world of stardom young sounds like a teenage dream, Tiffany has faced her share of obstacles. Her mother died before she could see her singing on stage with Girls’ Allowed, even before she moved to South Korea.
We spoke to Tiffany about her new EP, her must have beauty hacks, her fashion inspo, and where we can expect to see her next!
Tell us more about the new EP, Lips On Lips?
Lips On Lips is my very first solo EP project in the U.S. since moving back home from my
K-pop career. It is my most personal, honest body of work to date. Coming from a K-pop, Asian-American woman background, I had a lot of emotions and issues I had suppressed that I am opening up about for the first time through this EP. They are songs of passion, pleasure, and pain; and that one can’t exist without the other.
Are you a lipstick or lipgloss girl for those moments?
Lipstick for sure. Sheer textures on the daily, but the lipstick color/texture depends on how my foundation/skin texture is done that day. It’s all about pairing! For example, matte lips for matte skin, satin textured lipstick for dewy skin, sheer lipstick for tinted moisturizer or BB creams.
What beauty hack do you swear by?
Double cleansing. Preferably with a balm or oil type first, so it doesn’t dry your skin out completely, followed by a foam cleanser! Especially with spring/summer coming around, you want to make sure you get all the sunblock/primers off.
What beauty item are you never without in your purse?
Perfume/oils! I love a good seductive scent and the way it instantly changes your mood! Or also the way lavender relaxes you.
You just won a iHeart Music Award, and were also the first female K-pop artist to walk the AMA carpet. Any award you’d love to receive from your peers in the future?
Anything in the ‘New Artists’ category are always a once in a lifetime moment that I wouldn’t wanna miss out on. [Then I’ll] slowly work my way to pop, dance, vocal, collaboration, music video, touring, and fashion as well!
You are big on fashion, what brands do you love at the moment?
I love anything dreamy and romantic with a dark or edgy twist. Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior, Rodarte, and Giambattista Valli have always been my dream collaborators.
Who are your fashion icons?
1. Madonna – bold, striking, glamourous, & ICONIC.
2. Natalie Portman – strong & so strongly feminine.
3. Victoria Beckham – chic, sophisticated, classy, & timeless.
You shot an H&M campaign, any other brands you’d love to model for—or would you want to start your own?
I am open and would love to collaborate and have partnerships with brands who support my vision and values. [Brands that value] representation, [brands that] encourage young women and men to inspire and empower one another for change, [and brands that] create music and art without boundaries! I’ve always imagined and would love to start my own line someday as well.
Out of all the songs you have written, which one has that special place in your heart?
“The Flower” is a very special song for me because I was opening up my feelings of when I lost my mother in a song for the first time. I drew inspiration from the moment I was placing that last flower on her grave at her funeral. Writing the song made me realize even though it was painful, over time you will find a way to see past the pain or overcome it and maybe even help someone else in need. I hope this song inspires compassion so that we all may be the flower to someone else’s pain.
How was it working with Babyface—who has worked with all the greats, from Madonna to Aaliyah—on this record?
I wanted to create a fairytale-fantasy pop song, and he is the ultimate craftsman of fairytale-fantasy love songs. I have been inspired and influenced by a countless number of Babyface records, and to be in the same room and create with such a genius was a dream come true. I am so thankful, honored, and proud.
What female musician growing up was your biggest inspiration?
Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera. Of course for their level or artistry, but also for being such strong women.
Any advice you would give your 15 year old self?
You do not just wake up and become the butterfly! Growth is a process. Trust in yourself.
What advice do you have for young girls trying to navigate love in this world of social media and in-your-face reality?
My advice is to be patient with yourself, invest your time in moments and experiences. Because external beauty is temporary and will fade, but internal beauty, which is your truth and knowledge from those experiences, carries you through and nothing is more beautiful than a wise and graceful woman.
Out of all your travels on tour, what place did you fall head over heels with?
I fell in love with the cities I visited for the first time. Toronto, Vancouver, and Minneapolis felt like a magical winter wonderland and Seattle really felt like I was in a dreamy romantic movie. Each city was so special and different in its own way, I want to be able to go back again and spend more time and explore some more.
What’s next for you in 2019?
Excited and inspired to go right back into the studio to write and start on my next project! Hoping to create more opportunities and find any way to see my fans.
Photography and Creative Direction: Prince + Jacob
Stylist: Rafael Linares
Hair: Gen Coco//@glencocoforhair
Makeup: Suzie K//@suziekbeauty