Sienna Spiro and the Art of Being Stubborn
The rising balladeer reflects on the valiant choices behind her mainstream breakout.
By Thomas Melia
- Published on
Although Spiro can control her volume and intonations to communicate each song’s message, something that she finds tricky to keep in line is sheer emotion. However, it’s in these exact raw and unmanaged moments that she captivates her fans and music lovers alike.
“MAYBE.,” her 2025 single, has a grand piano melody running behind Spiro’s belts about the termination of a relationship. Then there’s “You Stole The Show,” a grand, three-and-a-half minute number that cuts deep with a gut-wrenching line: “I ask if you love me, and you just shrug your shoulders.” However, the catalyst for the success of these tracks is standout single “Die On This Hill,” Spiro’s ode to being stubborn.
Many artists only dream of accomplishing such success, for Spiro, she still feels like she’s dreaming. “Everything feels surreal, I’m not going to lie.” These are the words anyone would expect to hear from a rapidly rising star. However, Spiro isn’t just rising, she’s soaring. Recently, the London performer has found herself rubbing shoulders with pop heavyweights on festival line-ups, acquiring award nominations, and getting flowers from artists worldwide (Kelly Rowland, Ava Max, Alex Warren). “I wish it didn’t [feel surreal] because sometimes I wish I could take moments in more, but I’m often just in a constant state of disbelief.”
Spiro notes music as not only a passion project, but a constant presence throughout her life. “Jazz and soul have kind of been there for me my whole life, my dad showed [these genres] to me when I was really young. I’ve been singing since forever, I don’t even remember when I first started listening to music, it has just always felt like something that I’ve done. I remember the first time I got a little iPod, my cousin downloaded four songs for me and I would just listen to them on a loop.”
Spiro defines her artist starter pack as four artists all unique and cherished by music aficionados for their ingenuity and emotional perception, just like herself. “Adele, Amy Winehouse, Frank Ocean, and I love 2000s hip hop… like Scarface.”
Certain aspects of her music enjoyment weren’t always this pre-mediated, as noted by her strong-willed personality. It’s her pure ambition that has allowed her to believe in herself and not be afraid of becoming a risk taker.
“Leaving school at 16 was not so smart at the time for the reason it was for, but I didn’t really have another plan… I was like ‘Well, this is it, let’s go, let’s figure it out.’ It didn’t faze me that [my career] might not work. I don’t see risks as risks, I think that you just have to do it.”
This mantra doesn’t just stop at the bold decisions that Spiro has made thus far, it’s also applicable to another area of her life she’s eager to master; emotional self-regulation. In doing so, she’s developed sharp observational skills. “I found out recently that I’m neurodivergent. I’m still learning how my brain works, and other people’s too. I’m very sensitive to human situations and interactions, they stick with me. I’m quite observant.”
There’s a running theme that has led to Sienna establishing herself as a prominent figure going into the mid-2020s; her ability to remain stubborn. The star’s most-streamed track, “Die On This Hill,” is evidence of this. “I’m not going to lie, I’m just stubborn, period. I could be the most wrong and I’d still be stubborn. It’s because I care, like really care. I’m passionate and protective over the things that are important to me, I think that’s what makes me stubborn.”
Spiro can’t always navigate life’s trials and tribulations as much as her confident persona might allude to. Just like anyone, she has her own vulnerabilities and sensitivities. “I can feel scared, and I do have a lot of fear, usually towards things ending. Sometimes I don’t let things in because I’m scared of how they might end. Underneath it all, I’m honestly just a soft and sensitive person.”
Sienna Spiro is embarking on The Visitor Tour, which comes to Toronto on Tuesday, March 10 at The Great Hall. TICKETS & INFO.
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