Break out Canadian pop artist Jade LeMac is known for crafting highly raw and emotional pieces that dig deep into our souls. She defies convention, effortlessly transcending boundaries and blending genres in a way that feels completely natural. At just 21 years old, the Vancouver-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has carved a unique space for herself in the music industry—one that draws from her rich half-Asian heritage and her deep connection to the LGBTQ+ community. These influences are not just aspects of who she is, they are the pulse that drives her creativity and informs her distinctive sound.
LeMac’s journey to recognition began on TikTok, where she quickly amassed a following of over 1.5 million. By 2021, Jade’s debut single, “Constellations,” had already captured the hearts of listeners around the globe. With that came impressive sync placements. One of those was the piano version in Life With The Walter Boys and then the original made it intoTubi’s 2024 film Sidelined: The QB and Me. The original piece has gained 124 million streams and the piano rendition has 160.5 million cumulative streams making it her biggest streamed song. Those numbers continue to grow with the track's undeniable appeal.
She is not just an artist, but a true force of nature. The singer uses her platform to create music that speaks to the heart and the very core of what it means to live authentically. Whether it’s through her empowering lyrics, genre-defying sound, or unapologetic embrace of her identity, Jade is showing the world that there are no limits to what can be achieved when you dare to be yourself.
You wrote “Constellations” when you were just 15 years old. How did that song come to life, and what inspired you at such a young age?
This song was an interesting one. I started writing it, like you said, at a young age—15. I had the chorus written, and I just remember being inspired by the stars and the constellations. I just had constellations as an idea. Then it wasn't until a year or so later that I finished writing the song, and I wanted to challenge myself lyrically. I wrote the verses and everything. That’s how the song came to be.
On Valentine’s Day this year, you released a remix of “Constellations” with Luca Schreiner. What was the collaboration process like? How did you approach reimagining the song?
When it came to the remix, I feel like people have been loving "Constellations". With the piano version and the original, that's already two different versions of the song. I think we just wanted to bring new life to the song and present it in a different way. With the remixes, it brings a different type of vibe to it, just as the piano did to the original. The piano is more emotional and intimate, whereas "Constellations" original version is a little bit more poppy. With this remix, it's a little more dancey. They’re for different settings, which is a good way to put it. I feel like that's what we wanted to do with the remix.
Can you share the meaning behind your recent single “Pink Balloon” and how it compares to your previous releases?
“Pink Balloon” is a really special one to me. It's about someone who I hold very close to my heart right now. The song is pretty much a metaphor for holding on to memories and cherishing them. Appreciating the special moments you have with someone and create with someone. You never want to let that go, no matter how hard things get. So that song is very special. I put a lot of myself into that song. I love it. It's very emotional.
What was the process like for you, looking back, when you first started creating music and writing songs?
Well, it's really different for all my songs. I tend to have a lot of ideas in my phone, whether it's lyrics, titles, or melodies. Then, when it comes to writing songs and the creativity, it's really all about feel for me. So when I feel inspired, that's when I think the best songs are created. I wait for those moments to really push myself to create the best songs that I can.
How has your experience of navigating both your half-Asian heritage and your connection to the 2SLGBTQ+ community shaped your identity and worldview?
It’s a lot being half Asian and being part of the LGBTQ+ community. It's really molded me into the person that I am today. It was a big part of growing up and discovering myself. I'd say when it comes to my sexuality, that has a lot more to do with my songs and my art. I can write about it more because it's just automatically part of my relationships, which is what I tend to write about. When it comes to my Asian heritage, that's a lot more just growing up and how I turned out to be who I am today.
Your songs are very reflective and emotional, while others are more feel-good, upbeat anthems. What is your process like when crafting your songs?
Yeah, a lot of them are emotional, whereas others are more upbeat. I try to find a balance between the two because, as much as I love to write and challenge myself emotionally, when it comes to writing these songs, I also love to challenge myself with writing upbeat songs. I've always known that I gravitate more toward slower, ballad-y songs. So it's almost like a cool challenge to try and write more happy, upbeat anthems. I love the mix of both.
What did it feel like to see “Constellations” being used in Netflix’s Life With The Walter Boys and the Tubi movie Sidelined: The QB and Me? How did those syncs impact your career?
It was such a crazy experience. First, the Constellations piano version was on My Life with the Walter Boys. The instant reaction that it had on TikTok was so large and so unexpected. I've always known that syncs can have a big impact on music. But there have also been so many shows that, even I've watched, and I haven't fully paid attention to all the songs that they've played. So to see that Constellations was even the slightest bit of a conversation, it was such an honor and such a cool experience that I'm forever grateful for. Then, almost exactly a year later, the original Constellations was featured in the hit movie Sideline, which was also a great movie and had a similar effect. I think they catered toward the same audience. So it was really cool to see people come back to the song as well as find new people and reach a new audience. That’s so cool.
What was it like growing up on Canada’s Vancouver Island, and how has that molded the music you create?
Vancouver Island, Victoria, will always be my home. I was born and raised there until I was 10 years old before moving to the mainland. It's impacted who I am a lot, just because, going back to my Asian heritage, I lived with my aunt, uncle, cousins, and grandparents. There were 10 of us in a house. It’s my mom's side of the family, who is Vietnamese and Chinese. It was just a big part of my life. It's where I actually found my love for music because we would always sing karaoke and everything. My cousins and I would always form bands. It was a really important time in my life. It really molded me to be who I am today.
Who are some artists or bands that have influenced your musical journey?
I used to take a lot of inspiration from Sleeping At Last. I used to listen to them a lot. I loved the lyrics. I remember challenging myself to try and be as lyrically cool as them. There’s so many. I used to listen to a lot of Shawn Mendes growing up. I took a lot of inspiration from him when I was younger. I always loved Adele. She was my go-to karaoke girl. So I'd always sing Adele for karaoke. I remember those being some of the main ones growing up.
What’s next for Jade LeMac?
So many things coming up. I've got my first headline shows. I am doing Montreal, Toronto, Brooklyn, and LA. It’s at the end of April and the beginning of May, which is super exciting, as well as Lollapalooza at the end of July. It’s going to be my first time performing in the States. And that's going to be so awesome. I'm working on new music right now that I'm so excited about. It feels really good. It feels authentic to me. That's what I'm focused on right now. That’s what I'm excited for.
Connect with Jade LeMac: INSTAGRAM
