PENG Reveals The Empowering Inspiration Behind Her Debut Pop Anthem ‘Pretty Please’

Truly a jack of all trades!

Former professional gymnast, incredible dancer, world-renowned influencer, the list of accolades that can be used to describe PENG can go on and on. And now the rising icon is adding music superstar to that list. She just released her debut single ‘Pretty Please’ and we are telling you right now: it needs to be added to your summer playlist.

We had the pleasure of speaking with PENG about her debut Vidcon performance, her best advice to her fans, and more!

What first inspired you to pursue a music career?

P: “I’ve always had a love for music. I was singing at a very young age, and alongside my competitive gymnastics career, I took singing lessons, participated in theater camp, and took guitar lessons. I used to actually try to write lyrics for gymnastics floor music since the music had no words or lyrics. I started songwriting in high school as a form of self-expression, and honestly, Taylor Swift really inspired me to pick up a guitar and write. When I was really young, I used to pretend to have concerts in my room, where I would take my knee-high dresser, turn it longways, invite my parents, and perform for them like I had a stage performance. I knew I wanted to take it seriously and pursue it after retiring from gymnastics. I am so grateful that I have people who believe in me to pursue this dream because it has not been easy getting to this release.”

Tell us more about your amazing debut single, ‘Pretty Please.’

P: “I wrote Pretty Please with my friend Zev, who is also a songwriter, last year in February 2023. I remember telling him about my past and how I was always getting picked on for either being the smallest, the least developed in my body, or just the center of jokes. I had friends who would tell me one thing to my face and then go and spread rumors about me. I remember coming home crying, and I would just take the heat. Whenever I wanted to say something back and defend myself, I would freeze and just simmer in all my emotions. Now that I am older, I am more confident and am not as afraid of confrontation. I wouldn’t even want to place a food order myself; I just didn’t like bothering people. This song reflects how I am not afraid to stand up for myself and to speak my mind when it is important. It was to inspire me to be not afraid and to fight through the negatives being thrown at me. “

We already think ‘Pretty Please’ is the song of the summer, but what other song has been on repeat for you this year?

P: “I am obsessed with BLACKPINK because I just love their production and performance value. I really appreciate that in an artist. I am also obsessed right now with Sabrina Carpenter as well as Kendrick Lamar. I have a wide variety of tastes, but I think that’s what makes music fun!”

You have well over 5 Million followers on just TikTok alone! What has been your reaction to your success?

P: “The reaction from my close family, friends, and fans has been unbelievably supportive! I have fans who remember me from my gymnastics career, and honestly, opening up about that music has always been my first dream, but was scary to put out there. I feel like with the Olympics, I had earned my right to have my dream to openly talk about it; I worked hard and competed with the best of the best. But with music, I worked really hard behind the scenes. When I go live on my socials, I feel so much love from my penguins, and it has been overwhelmingly positive! I’m so excited about sharing my music, and it makes me so happy that others are excited as well! I also have had responses where some are skeptical because that wasn’t particularly my niche on my page, but I’m hoping that my journey to just going after what I want is inspiring despite if my music is not particularly someone’s taste.”

Can we talk about your VidCon performance? That was iconic! What was the process like gearing up for a live performance and learning the choreography?

P: “Thank you so much! It was crazy gearing up for VidCon! Honestly, I genuinely didn’t know how much planning goes into these things! I’m used to going to practice 25 hours a week, but there’s a coach guiding you. I feel like I’m just throwing myself in the deep end most of the time just hoping it will turn out okay. But for VidCon, despite how stressful the setup was, I was over the moon to perform. I can’t even express how happy I was on that day. We performed the music video choreography by Kiana Tangonan at Vidcon, and I danced alongside some of my closest friends! To top it off, it was my birthday, and it was an unbelievable experience! I was on Cloud 9 for about a week after. We embraced the rehearsals, and just being able to get together and be so free and creative with my people will definitely be a core memory for me!”

We can’t wait for the Gold Over America Tour! Is there anyone else in the group who you are especially excited to tour with?

P: “I’m so excited to tour with them all! I love that my former bruin, Katelyn Ohashi, will be on the tour because she is just so much fun to be around as well my former coach, Miss Val, will also be a part of the rehearsal process. They are my family, and it’s so amazing to be able to continue life outside of gymnastics with them! Also, being able to hang out with Jordan Chiles, since I was never on the team with her, will be like a multiverse moment! I’m especially excited to get to know Simone more because she is such a superstar and is so well-respected by everyone. Honestly, I’m excited to get to know everyone because I don’t know them well. I plan on vlogging during the tour, so make sure to check out my channels to keep up with how the tour is going!”

You have become such an inspiration, in more ways than one. What is the best piece of advice you can give to your younger fans?

P: “The best advice I have is to enjoy the process of life. I know that is so vague, but I used to stress all the time when I was younger, whether it was when I got injured or wasn’t pretty enough, or if I failed a test, etc. It will all work out, and life is about enjoying the ups and downs. I’m embracing my own advice right now because when I’m stressed, I definitely remind myself I would rather be stressed in the career that I am doing right now than in a career I don’t enjoy.”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

P: “I will be posting everywhere! You can follow me on my TikTok and IG for fun content, and if you want more in-depth behind the scenes, I post fun vlogs on my channel!”

Make sure to stream ‘Pretty Please’, available now on all music platforms!

Photo Credits: Zam Films | Director: Vanessa Zamarripa | DP: Ben Grant | Camera Operator/Steadicam: Mike Prior | Costume Designer: Katie Sciacqua | Hair: Michele Griesi | Make-Up: Bella Meza

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene. When not helping her team and working on the monthly issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral Tasty recipe.