Ashlee Keating On Spreading Positivity, Charting On Billboard, And New Single ‘Saucy’

Calling all #Keators!

With billions of views on her music, Ashlee Keating is the powerhouse we were all looking for. And now, ahead of her upcoming EP, she recently released the new hype anthem ‘Saucy’.

We had the absolute honor of talking to Ashlee about performing at pride, philanthropy, and more!

You recently came out with a hit single called “Saucy” what was your inspiration for the single?

A: “It was actually inspired by my birthday party at a restaurant in Malibu. As my friends started to arrive, everybody was dressed to the nines, super gorgeous, and we all started complimenting one another telling each other how “saucy” we looked! It was such a positive, feel-good celebration, and I was inspired to write “Saucy” to give a piece of that moment to my fans!”

You just performed your new single at the NYC Youth Pride Event on Friday June 25^th in Central Park. How did you feel about getting to perform for the event?

A: “OMG it was the most amazing feeling!! It was my first ever festival performance and my debut performance of “Saucy”! The energy from the crowd was so high and they were singing along to some of my lyrics. I was in shock and even got emotional. This was my first real performance since the pandemic had started, so it was just THE BEST feeling in the world to get back on stage, see my fans in person, let alone see them singing along to my lyrics and dancing. It was such an honor to perform there and express love and equality. Very grateful.”

Your singles “Hurt Me So Good” and “Bad Mistake” spent weeks on the Top 20 Billboard Dance/Club Chart. Did you ever expect during your career that some of your songs will be getting a lot of recognition?

A: “Yes, definitely! I always dreamed of that happening, but definitely did not expect that at the time. “Hurt Me So Good” was such a random song I wrote on my couch by myself with no track after going through a toxic relationship, so for it to have turned out like that is crazy! I’ve always had big dreams, set my goals, and I am a very determined person, so achieving success doesn’t surprise me. I work really HARD!! This is just the beginning.”

You got to work with Tommy Brown (who works closely with Ariana Grande), YNG Josh and Tommy Parker. What was it like for you to work with them on your song Saucy?

A: “Creating “SAUCY” was so much fun!! We actually wrote and did the whole writing session over zoom. It was during a heavy part of the pandemic that the whole process started. It was the very first writing session we had and it went great and flowed so naturally! YNG Josh had played me a few tracks and I really vibed with the one we started, which was the track for “SAUCY”. Tommy Brown and the whole Champagne Therapy team are so incredibly talented.”

What is the hardest part for you as a young woman in the music industry?

A: “I think learning how to be part businesswoman/part artist is essentially the most challenging, but also super important. Knowing how to balance your lifestyle, work ethic, and creativity is key and being taken seriously.”

You strive to spread messages of love, positivity, and confidence through all of your work. Why do you think it is so important to show that to today’s society?

A: “It’s so important because the world we live in today revolves around comparison to others… comparison on social media. We don’t realize we are allowing our brains to spiral down paths that can be unhealthy. Self-confidence can be lost in this; it even happens to myself sometimes, which is why I write a lot of positive songs. I write them as if I’d want to listen to another artist writing it for me, to inspire myself when I have a bad day. We need more love, positivity, and confidence today and I hope my fans can relate and feel something when they listen. I hope to inspire them.”

You were cast as the lead role of “Annie” at the famous Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. What was your experience playing in Annie and getting to perform at the Walnut street theater?

A: “I loved it! As a kid, I was obsessed with the play, I knew all the words to the songs and had always wanted to play Annie. Believe it or not, I had gone to an open call for the audition. It was an amazing experience at a great theatre with a great cast and crew. We had many sold out shows, which was super cool. A memory and experience I’ll never forget.”

You have worked closely with GLAAD, Girl Up, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. What was something about these organizations that made you want to help?

A: “I am a true believer in giving back, and I love it. I am so grateful and blessed to be where I am in my life and career, so anything I can do and use with my platform to make the world a better place I am all for!! It’s not just about inspiring and making money, it’s also about helping and giving back as much as I can. All of those organizations have a message that I support and have a connection to with their messages and purpose.”

Stream ‘Saucy’ now!

Photos Credits: Combina Key

Kylie Montigney-Music/Entertainment Editor– Kylie has been a Host/Producer for over a year with her Podcast Talk of Fame at only 14 years old. Kylie enjoys talking to all her guests that are in the Entertainment industry and learn more about their journey to where there are today and to inspire young girls & woman to feel represented in the media.