Let’s set the scene: A southern-raised, pop-trained powerhouse with a mouth full of sass and a heart full of scars walks into Nashville with nothing but a pen, a plan, and a whole lotta stories to tell. Two years later, she’s debuting at the Grand Ole Opry, co-producing her own records, and dropping a breakup anthem so raw and relatable it might just make you text your ex and your therapist. Her name? Shaylen. And she’s not here to play nice.
Her latest single, “Daddy Issues,” is a scorched-earth letter to the man who broke her heart — and a cheeky warning from the man who raised her not to try that mess again. “It hit home for me in every way when I first heard it,” she shared in a statement. “Because when your dad is a Southern FBI agent like mine, he doesn’t mess around.”
And neither does Shaylen.
In her exclusive Celeb Secrets interview during CRS 2025 back in February, Shaylen told us she’s not just writing songs — she’s creating a “breakup blueprint” for anyone stuck between heartbreak and healing.
“Between the heartbreaks of life, the heartbreaks of however many men I’ve encountered — some great, some not so great — and all the moments in between, I realized I was building a story,” she shared. “I didn’t even know it at first, but it’s all been a roadmap. And at the end of it, we learn to love ourselves.”
That sense of self-love and emotional evolution is dripping all over “Daddy Issues.” Co-written by Sean Small, Sam Sumser, and Emily Weisband and co-produced by Shaylen herself (alongside the legendary Julian Raymond), the track is a polished blend of pop-country production, powerhouse vocals, and lyrics that don’t hold back.
“He’s let me down so many times, I started wondering if I had some kind of ‘issue’ for not leaving,” she said. “But the truth? The only daddy issue I have is that my dad is ready to bury this dude.”
Mic. Drop.
Sure, Shaylen’s vocals are polished and her style is very “country Barbie goes to therapy,” but her journey to this moment was anything but linear.
The Chattanooga-born, Dallas-raised artist spent over a decade in Los Angeles crafting pop hits and even flew to South Korea to write K-pop songs for major groups. “I wrote God knows how many songs for K-pop artists,” she told us, laughing. “It taught me so much about how to build a song for 10 people to sing — and how to write something that connects globally.”
But eventually, Nashville called. Shaylen knew she had something deeper to say, and the genre that raised her was where she wanted to say it.
“I’ve always loved Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, even Cher and Britney Spears. My dad was basically a jukebox. So when I came home, I brought all of that with me — country, pop, gospel, rock,” she explained. “It’s why this project has a little something for every version of you — whether you’re in your feels, throwing a pity party, or planning your comeback.”
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In October 2024, Shaylen checked off one of the biggest items on any country artist’s dream board: her Grand Ole Opry debut — and it came with a surprise FaceTime from none other than Chris Young. She still hasn’t fully processed the moment.
“I think I just married country music that night,” she said. “I’ve never even thought about a wedding dress, but slipping into that dress and walking onto that stage… it was like a ceremony for the life I’ve always wanted.”
But don’t get it twisted — Shaylen’s not afraid to get her boots dirty. Literally.
“I’ve definitely been in a bar fight,” she confessed. “Fireball whiskey and I are no longer on speaking terms. I’m officially a Whiskey Warrior.”
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“Daddy Issues” is just the beginning. Shaylen hinted at a duet coming soon that she described as “real spicy” and said she’s been co-producing her upcoming tracks — a first for her creatively.
“This is the most hands-on I’ve ever been,” she said. “I’m finding my voice, not just as a singer, but as a producer. And I’m finally making the kind of music that feels like me — sad, honest, unhinged, hopeful. It’s all of it.”
She’s also headed to CMA Fest this summer, with a performance on the Dr. Pepper Amp Stage on June 6, followed by appearances at Captain’s Getaway, Watershed Festival, and more.
So basically: clear your calendar, charge your phone, and prep your glitter tears — because Shaylen season is in full swing.
There’s a reason Shaylen’s music connects. It’s not just the polished production or her silky-smooth vocals — it’s the way she lets you into the chaos. Whether she’s crying to Adele at karaoke or eating Sour Patch Kids at a gas station (her go-to road snack), she’s that relatable BFF you can’t help but root for.
And with “Daddy Issues,” she’s reminding everyone that heartbreak might suck — but surviving it? That’s powerful.
Stream Shaylen’s “Daddy Issues” now, catch her on the road this summer, and get ready for her upcoming project — because this rising star isn’t just writing songs. She’s writing your entire healing era.
For more secrets (and maybe a few more bar fight stories), follow @shaylenofficial and stay tuned to Celeb Secrets for the next drop. You won’t want to miss it.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. For more coverage from CRS 2025, click here.
