BEYOND THE NOTES
Hasitha Guhan’s Glamorous ContradictionsDecember 24, 2024 | Ethan Kung
Balancing exams with making Ariana Grande-esque pop bangers might sound nearly impossible, but for 21-year-old Hasitha Guhan, it’s just another day.
The UCLA student by day and Cherry Pop Records signee by night has had a busy 2024. In September, Hasitha released her debut EP, Hot Mess – a confident foray into dance-pop that’s brimming with buzzing electro-pop and the pure vocal sass of Loose-era Nelly Furtado.
Since then, her days have been a whirlwind of homework, finishing up new music, and creating an endless stream of social media content. At the start of our conversation, we begin to chat about her favorite Instagram Reels and TikToks. A mischievous glee radiated from the aspiring popstar.
“I always love my fake ex-boyfriend videos,” says Hasitha with a wide smile, “There's always people who believe that I'm actually pranking my ex boyfriend with a song I wrote about him. They're like, ‘Is that your boyfriend?’ And I'm like, ‘No!’”
While many musicians see social media as a necessary evil, it’s clear that Hasitha genuinely gets a kick out of it. From performance videos labeling herself “Charli XCX at home” to over-the-top reactions to her new song’s final mix, her social media doubles as both a personal blog and a vehicle for music promotion.
The interplay between exaggerated persona and sincere reality defines not only Hasitha’s personal brand, but her creative process as well. Teasing an upcoming release with “insane lyrics” about twins, she revels in the ambiguity of her storytelling.
“Well, some of it is real life experience, and some of it’s my delusional brain,” Hasitha grins, comically running her hand through her hair. “I love being delusional! And I feel like, as an artist, you kind of have to be delusional – in a healthy way!”
Hasitha’s spontaneity is apparent throughout our conversation – she’ll spring into animated hand gestures and expressions when talking about haters, only to become amusingly nonchalant immediately afterwards. When describing being offered to sign onto Cherry Pop and her subsequent decision to do so, she recalls simply thinking, “Okay, I’ll try it out.”
The audacious energy behind Hasitha’s music-making and professional decisions is what also drives an important dimension of her artistry: her fledgling live shows. The performer believes that live shows present her in her element, and with her self-assured stage presence and expert use of autotune, it’s easy to see why. Her secret to confidence is surprisingly simple: musical theater.
“The theater kid life prepared me exceptionally for live performances. I used to feel so nervous to perform when I was little,” she laughs. “But the more shows and auditions I did, the more they pushed me out of my comfort zone. So now for these live shows, I'm like, ‘Whatever!’”
While Hasitha revels in her well-earned confidence, she’s also looking to evolve. Her stage presence may remain consistent, but everything else is subject to experimentation. Live instruments, full backing bands, and even DJ equipment have joined the rising star on stage this year.
“They also offered a DJ class at UCLA this quarter, so I was like, ‘Why not’,” she says with a shrug. “That pushed me into learning. And we're here now!”
Fans can expect to hear Hasitha’s newfound appreciation for DJing and EDM in her 2025 releases, for which she’s already taken a far-sighted approach to. Discussing a batch of singles slated for release throughout next year, she gleefully shares that they’ve already been written and mostly produced.
“I think I've grown as a songwriter since I released Hot Mess, and the main thing is that I'm being more honest,” Hasitha declares, gesturing theatrically towards herself. “I'm exploring more topics and being a bit more experimental with my songwriting!”
Creative freedom is something that the singer values, and signing with Cherry Pop has given her the support to pursue it. Through the label, her music is distributed by ADA, she’s found new ways to promote her music both at UCLA and beyond, and she’s connected with many of her fellow Cherry Pop signees.
“The more I go through the industry, the more perspectives I get,” Hasitha muses. “I really enjoy having the space to be really upfront with my songs, music, and lyrics. I'll always write about something that's important to me, and make sure that everyone hears it!”
Towards the end of our conversation, Hasitha grows more reflective when discussing her identity. Her ever-present smile shifts to a more contemplative expression.
“Honestly, I just want to present a strong South Asian figure, especially for younger South Asian girls,” she expresses, gaze lowering. “And also having that representation for other people to see – not just South Asians – because I feel like there haven't been a lot of us who've been super successful in this space. I think it'd be really cool for the youth to see someone who looks like them in that position getting attention and praise.”
Whether through her music or her brand, Hasitha’s career so far has been defined by contrasts: school and flashy ambitions, nonchalance and sassy delusion, preparedness and complete impulsiveness.
Perhaps the most striking contrast in Hasitha’s persona is her blend of an exaggerated theatricality and genuine sincerity. It’s a combination that can be hard to separate when listening to her. But the magic lies in how seamlessly she blends the two, making them feel like one and the same.
“I just really want to see my pop star dreams come to fruition,” Hasitha says when asked about her future. “And if people say I'm delusional, I say—” she raises two middle fingers to the camera, grinning wildly. “That’s the future!”
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