Stephen Stanley isn’t just an artist—he’s a storyteller, a genre-blender, and a musician with a message. With over 165 million global streams and a TikTok following that just hit one million, his music is striking a chord with fans everywhere. And now, he’s gearing up for his biggest chapter yet: the release of his debut album Trust Fall on April 25 and his first-ever headlining tour.
But before the viral success and sold-out shows, Stephen was just a kid navigating life with a guitar in his hands and music in his heart.
For those just discovering his music, Stephen’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and raw emotion. “I’m a husband and a father of (almost) two. I’m writing this the day before my son’s due date,” he shares with Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview.
With early roots in Georgia, Stanley grew up in a household deeply rooted in faith and music. His father was a preacher, and his earliest memories are of playing music in church. But at just 9 years old, his life took an unexpected turn when he suffered a severe accident that left him deaf in his left ear.
Instead of letting it hold him back, music became his lifeline. During his recovery, his mom taught him how to play piano and guitar, and he found solace in songwriting. “At this point, I’ve been making music longer than I haven’t,” he says. “Other than faith and family, music is my life.”
It was during these formative years that Stephen developed his signature cinematic, deeply emotional sound — drawing inspiration from everything around him, from the powerful anthems of U2 and Coldplay to the epic, soul-stirring compositions of Hans Zimmer. “Even though he mainly makes music for film, Hans Zimmer and the way he finds emotion in his music has always inspired me,” he explains.
But his influences don’t stop there. Grunge, hip-hop, and even breakbeat sounds have shaped his artistry in ways fans might not expect. “I genuinely love all kinds of music. Every major genre has influenced me in some way.”
That love for diverse sounds, combined with his personal experiences and faith, set the foundation for the artist he is today. His music is raw, vulnerable, and undeniably authentic — and it’s that honesty that has built his dedicated fanbase.
Stephen’s latest single, “this far down,” is deeply personal, written in a moment of frustration and self-doubt. “I remember thinking: my music’s not cool enough for the cool kids, and it’s not ‘commercial’ enough for the radio. I don’t belong anywhere,” he reveals. It was a dark headspace, but from it came something powerful. “A lot of songs came from that feeling, but ‘this far down’ felt like a release.”
Sonically, the track carries the weight of those emotions — raw, aching vocals over a driving, atmospheric instrumental that swells with tension and release. It’s one of those songs that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go.
But beyond his personal struggle, Stephen knows these emotions are universal. “So many people feel like they don’t fit in, that they’re falling behind or just not ‘enough’ in some way. This song is me saying, ‘I see you, I feel it too.’”
If “this far down” is any indication, Trust Fall is about to be one hell of a ride. More than just an album, it’s the realization of a lifelong dream. “This album represents my earliest ambitions — imagining what my album would sound like as a kid,” Stephen shares. “It’s emotional, cinematic, and plays with different genres. I genuinely had fun making it and went out of my comfort zone.”
That experimentation shows big time. The album plays with vastly different sounds, from breakbeat pop (“your heart”) to moody, dark western vibes (“Hell or high water” and “trustfall”). “It’s not just one thing—it’s got layers,” he teases.
At its core, Trust Fall is all about letting go — falling into the unknown instead of fighting it. “So much of life is about stepping into uncertainty and trusting you’ll land where you’re supposed to. That’s what this album is about,” he says.
And for those looking for clues on what to expect? Stephen teases three lyrics: “Give me something I can draw on…something in my field of view…are you…here in the deep end too?”
We’re officially hooked.
With Trust Fall on the way, Stephen is hitting the road for his first-ever headlining tour. Spanning 28 dates across the U.S. and Canada, this tour is a major moment in his career. “As nerve-wracking as it is, I’m extremely excited to be on the road doing what I love. This is really the first time I’ll be able to meet people that have a connection with the music.”
But don’t expect a typical rock show. “I want the night to feel like a journey,” he teases. And yes — there will be surprises.
Beyond streaming success, Stephen’s music has landed in some major sync placements—including Station 19, Britain’s Got Talent, and the trailer for My Penguin Friend. “Complete shock and excitement,” he says. “Particularly ‘My Penguin Friend.’ I’m a huge film buff, so actually having something I made connected to a film was amazing.”
And if that wasn’t enough of a pinch-me moment, Journey themselves saw a cover he did of one of their songs. “They sent me a message and posted the video. Incredible moment.”
With Trust Fall on the horizon, Stephen’s biggest goal remains the same: helping people through his music. “There are so many people that need help, and that’s what I pray my music does. I just try and talk about what I’m going through and my faith in an honest way.”
Oh, and for a little Celeb Secrets exclusive? Stephen almost went on American Idol — but backed out last minute. “I wanted to do this bit at a Waffle House with Ryan Seacrest, but I ended up not feeling right about going on the show.”
Listen to “this far down” below and don’t forget to let us know what you think of the track by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs at @celebsecrets.
You can connect with Stephen by giving him a follow on TikTok and Instagram at @stephenstanleymusic.
