Let’s start with “Dime.” What’s the song about and what inspired it?
Yeah! So, “Dime” is just kind of a fun, feel-good summer song, and it was mostly just about telling everyone who hates on you goodbye. I think there’s a lot of negativity in the world right now, and I wanted it to be a positive message to these people that are feeling down. I just kind of wanted them to be able to dance and have a great time.

Honestly, when you go through something like when you lose a friend or when you break up with somebody or somebody’s just not treating you right, just tell them that you’re a dime and you know who you are and that you’re this awesome, empowered, cool person. And nobody’s going to take that away.

You’ve grown up a lot since your days on X Factor. After your time on the show, what was it like navigating the industry? You were so young when that happened, so how was dealing with people’s expectations of you and your career?
Good question. It was difficult. It was a little hard because as a 13-year-old, you’re not really developed yet fully. You’re still learning so much, and you’re still growing. And [I was] kind of thrown into this world which, in a lot of ways, it’s a very adult world. It’s changed a lot with social media. Instagram wasn’t even a thing when I was 13. So, coming into this world and being almost thrown in because of X Factor and everything, it was a little bit difficult but I’m very thankful for the experience. It taught me so much.

Today, it’s helped me with my writing and how to treat people and just little aspects of my personality. You do have to grow up fairly quickly, and so it was very interesting to kind of have an early lesson in life and use that but, yes, it helped me.

Check out the new lyric video of “Dime.”