Interview: Chuefeng Talks About Growing Up Hmong, Coming Out Twice, LOVE, and More
Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, singer-songwriter Chuefeng (Choo-fang) began to find solace in music at a young age. When looking to discover who she was, Chuefeng went inward and began to release her thoughts and emotions through her music. Her discography is full of upbeat tracks and lyrical content that promotes self-love, giving yourself permission to be loved, and so much more. Outside of being an artist, Chuefeng is an activist and proud DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) advocate. On behalf of communities where representation is needed, Chuefeng is becoming a voice that encourages others to do the same. HALSUG got the chance to get to know Chuefeng, her upbringing in a Hmong household, and how music plays a major role in her life.
Photo Courtesy of Chuefeng
Q: In a previous podcast interview (Safe Space), you expressed that you weren’t aware you were Asian for the first several years of your life. Can you expand more about that, and how your realization has influenced you today?
So, what I was getting at was the fact that colonial constructs like race and class are taught. For the first several years of my life, I was constantly surrounded by Hmong people so it didn’t really register that I was different until I started attending public school. I grew up in a household that is proudly Hmong, and we didn’t call ourselves the umbrella term, Asian. I remember my dad teaching me to say “kuv yog me nyuam hmoob,” (You are a Hmong child) at an early age, and that’s something I carry with me to this day. So when the rest of the world started calling me and perceiving me as Asian, I was like, “Yes, and specifically, I’m Hmong.” I will always strive to do that with my art. I am Hmong, every minute of every day, in every space.
Q: Talk about your coming out journey and how that changed your life.
Coming out was interesting. I came out twice in my life. The first time I came out as gay. My friends and sisters were super supportive. My parents, not so much. The second time I came out as Trans and Queer, everyone, including my parents, was supportive. They all just wished that I would be safe and smart in the decisions I make and that I live and lead my life with goodness and kindness. Coming out is not easy. It's scary. For me, the scariest part of coming out was having to face myself. Having to speak into existence that I am different in some way can be scary when you exist in a community and culture that is rooted in collectivism and homogeneity (of being of a similar kind). Coming out showed me how beautiful life can be when you fully embrace yourself. When you embrace yourself, the Universe embraces you right back. Blooming into such an authentic version of yourself changes you for the better. You strengthen and rework your values, boundaries, hopes, and dreams. You rework your life to become the person you are meant to become.
Q: You have been very open about your mental health (along with ED and identity awakenings). How has music supported you throughout those major moments in your life?
This is gonna sound so cliché, but music is my lifeline. It finds you when you need it most. Whether it was songwriting, singing, or just consuming it, music was there through the ED episodes, the identity shifts, and awakenings, all of the good and all of the bad. I truly believe in myself having playlists for different seasons of my life, and the music helps me process, cry, ground myself, and celebrate. It helps with everything.
Photo Courtesy of Chuefeng
Q: “Creating your own light” (via Safe Space Podcast)—Please talk about creating your own lane and the difficulties that come with standing out.
To me, creating my own light and carving out my space in this industry has been exhilarating, fun, and so many other emotions. I think some of the difficulties that come with it is that people will always have something to say. They say things about my body, my music—everything. Another really hard part of creating your own lane and intentionally taking up space is knowing that there are so many people who are closed off to change, which can make it hard because it feels like you put in all of this hard work and people say “No.” Being a leader in this space and doing something so new, comes with the pressure of always having to get it right. It can be so paralyzing some days, so I always have to intentionally remind myself, “Hey, you’re doing the best you can with what you have at this point in your life, and that’s okay.”
Q: You are very spiritual and believe in divine timing. Would you say your faith in the Universe played a significant role in the goals you have set for yourself?
Yes. Absolutely yes. I am proudly a manifestation-girlie-pop! The religion I practice is very spiritual, so I was raised to be that. I have full faith in the Universe, in the spirits that exist, in my ancestors, and in divine timing. I have the mindsets of “I don’t chase, I attract,” or “Everything always works out for me,” or – my personal favorite and my current phone wallpaper – “It’s already yours. The Universe.” Having that faith allows me to be in my manifestation mindset.—very much delusional and proud! I get to set my intentions and then my goals. I take purposeful action and wait with grateful expectation that my actions lead me to be aligned with the Universe. That alignment then brings me to my success, and I’m always remembering that it’s okay to be realigned. Sometimes, I set intentions or goals that I never complete, and it doesn’t mean I failed. It simply means that it wasn’t meant for me, and that’s okay.
Photo Courtesy of Chuefeng
Q: You dropped your first EP LOVE this past October. Talk about what inspired the project, and what were some of your favorite tracks to write.
I started writing the songs for the EP back in 2019. Eventually, I started noticing the common theme of love in all of the songs I had written. That’s when I was like, “Oh, I can put together an EP.” I wanted it to be about love in all of its forms. I think the media does an amazing job at selling us these rose-colored glasses, head over heels, beautiful/tragic type of romantic love, and I didn’t want the EP to be just that. I also knew as a Queer person, I didn’t really grow up being shown a Queer love that was soft, tender, gentle, and deep; that was something I wanted to make. So, I put together an EP that talks about self-love, platonic love, knowing what you want out of love, learning to love your body, and then finally, being ready to love.
My favorite track has to be “Apology.” I drew inspiration from Lizzo, Beyoncé, and Hwa Sa. I used the song as a chance to, again, carve my space in this industry. I wrote it as a way of saying, “I am all of the things that influence me even in an industry where I don’t fit beauty standards or music standards. I still exist. Unapologetically, I am sorry to my body and myself. Sorry that I ever let myself believe otherwise.” It was also the song that made me grow the most. I learned to dance, embrace myself more, and grow in so many different ways.
Q: Outside of being an artist, what are some things you like to do in your free time? Have you started any new hobbies?
Right now, I’m super into Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch. I used to play Mario Kart way too much when it was on the GameCube – if you don’t know what that is, you're too young (just kidding) – so I’ve been playing it a lot!
Q: Are there any new projects on the way that you can tell us about? What are some goals you plan on achieving in 2023?
My first goal in 2023 is to rest. I am going on a hiatus in 2023 for some personal reasons, and during that hiatus, I want to rest. 2022, for me, was rough and busy. In terms of new projects, I have some really cool ideas in mind and want to surprise my fans, FWONGs, with something new—something they haven't seen or heard me do yet. I’m excited though. Whatever comes or doesn’t, I know it’s gonna work out, and I’m gonna be okay.
Q: What does success look like to you?
Success to me looks like connecting with incredible, beautiful people around the world through my music in a sustainable, prosperous way that allows me to take care of the people I love while doing what I love. At the end of the day, I am successful. I’m doing the things I love to do. I get to sing. I get to make music. I get to connect with incredible people all over this world because of my music. And the best part? I am just starting out in my career. Success is here for a long time, a good time, and a sustainable time.
The journey of discovering who you are is not linear to the next person. Representation gives others the push they need to follow their dreams and never allows the opinions of others to stop them from being their authentic self. Chuefeng is just getting started, and we can’t wait to see what else she has in store.
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Artist Facts
Name/Stage Name: Chuefeng
Birthday: April 18, 1999
Nationality: Hmong American
Zodiac Sign: Aries
MBTI: ESFP-A
Fave Foods: Pho, Jollibee, Persimmons, Mangos
Fave Drinks: Water, Health Aide Kombucha in Passion Fruit Tangerine, Humm Kombucha in Mango Passion Fruit, Milkis Peach Flavor
Fave Movies: Life is But a Dream (documentary), excuse me, I love you (documentary), Cherry Magic (IYKYK)
Day or Night?: Both <3
Song You’re Most Proud Of: between Me Nyuam HMoob and Apology!