PENG is no stranger to performing at the highest level. Best known for her success as a former elite gymnast and Olympian, she has now pivoted into the world of music, bringing the same intensity and passion to the stage as she once did to the gymnastics floor. Her debut single, Pretty Please, has already captured the attention of fans and critics alike, showcasing her unique sound and authentic storytelling. Available now on all streaming platforms, the track is just the beginning of PENG’s exciting new chapter as a recording artist.
In this exclusive interview, PENG takes us behind the scenes to see her transformation from an elite athlete to a rising music sensation. She opens up about the inspiration behind Pretty Please, her creative process, and how the discipline from her gymnastics career fuels her passion for music. With more singles on the way and big dreams for the future, PENG is set to take the music world by storm—on her own terms.
You’ve had an extraordinary journey from elite gymnast to music sensation. What inspired you to make the transition from sports to music, and how has that journey been for you?
Music was my first love as a kid. My parents had videos of me singing at the age of one, and I always sang non-stop. It’s funny because all I wanted to do when I was younger was sing and climb things! Before I started my competitive journey in gymnastics, I did a theater camp and was invited to perform in a small kids’ musical, and while I was on the Canadian National Team and competing in gymnastics, I actually would always carve out time for singing lessons. I always knew that after my gymnastics career, I wanted to dive further into my music.
Music is my therapy, and I love to write, especially when I’m stressed or anxious. During finals week, I used to host little jam sessions in college, so some of my friends and I could just let out some of the stress. This journey has been absolutely incredible, stressful, but amazing, to say the least. Stressfull because I didn’t know anyone in the music industry space, so I had no idea where to start, so I’m so grateful for the people who I’ve met along the way and who connected me with friends they know in the industry.
My favorite part about writing and singing songs, is performing. I got to perform at VidCon this year, which was an absolute dream come true. I can’t even express to you how happy I was all day to be able to perform and dance for my fans and new people, too!
Your debut single, Pretty Please, is making waves. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the song and the creative process involved in bringing it to life?
When my friend Zev and I wrote this song, I was having a really tough day. I was going through a situation that reminded me of being defenseless when I was younger and not being able to stick up for myself. When I was younger, a lot of girls used to make fun of me, and I would go home crying, just feeling helpless. My parents would try to teach me how to speak up, but most of the time, I would just stand there frozen in either anger or sadness, not really being able to walk away from a situation but just taking it. This song was the perfect debut single because it’s feisty and it truly is “a side of me” people never see.
This was kind of like an alter-ego, which I would have wanted to say. I’m older now and more confident that I am able to take on challenges that come my way. Pretty Please was about having a different attitude when it came to difficult situations and learning to fight back. I remember actually crying in the studio because I tend to cry out of frustration, but it was honestly great to let out those emotions and use the vocals from the first day when the emotions were raw.
How do the disciplines you learned as a gymnast translate to your music career?
I take what I’ve learned in gymnastics into my everyday life. Gymnastics has really taught me to be disciplined, especially when it comes to taking care of my voice. I’ve been working on vocal training and watching certain food and drinks I intake so that it doesn’t hurt my voice. Gymnastics has taught me to be positive and not get frustrated so easily. I definitely get frustrated in the studio if my vocals aren’t up to par that day, but taking some deep breaths and knowing that hard work and repetition will pay off is something I learned from gymnastics. Also, having good foundations as well.
The visuals for Pretty Please are stunning. How involved were you in the creative direction of the music video, and what message were you hoping to convey?
I was heavily involved in the process because at the beginning of this idea, it was only my director and former teammate, Vanessa Zamarripa, and I who were figuring out the story and locations. This project wouldn’t have happened without my amazing director. She had been doing stunts in the industry but also a lot of behind-the-camera work, so her experience was deep. When I showed her the song, I already knew I wanted dancing; I’ve always been inspired by K-pop productions. When it came to boxing, since both Vanessa and I are creatives, we wanted to tell a story and not just pick up the camera and film.
The boxing ring is life, and the opponents are the challenges that come with it. When I enter the ring, I could choose to get upset when I get knocked down, or I could stand up and fight and enjoy the process of hard situations. I always joke that Vanessa literally assembled the Avengers because we didn’t have a huge budget. Still, a lot of people were willing to help out since I was independent, and this was my first music video. I can’t thank everyone enough on that set because it genuinely was a great day, and it wouldn’t have worked if one person had checked out.
As a former Olympian, you’ve experienced the highest levels of competition. How does the pressure of the music industry compare to the world of elite gymnastics?
The pressure is completely different. I actually feel like there’s more pressure on music because it’s so personal. This has been a personal dream of mine, and I have wanted to be here so badly. In gymnastics, I put in a ton of work and hours to be the best I could be in that sport, whereas in music, I feel like I’m blossoming as an artist and learning to become more confident in my skills.
Although I will say there is no pressure like competing, I definitely used to get really nervous in gymnastics, where I felt like I could feel the pressure from my coaches and teammates, but in music, the nerves come from a place of excitement and growth. I would say pressure in the music industry comes from working with someone for the first time because I’m proving that I deserve to be here in this space.
With your growing success in music, what can fans expect from your upcoming singles, and are there any themes or genres you’re particularly excited to explore?
I feel like because gymnastics was a huge part of my life, it’s only right to dive deeper into the emotions behind the competitor. When I was an athlete, we were taught not to show our emotions because we were being judged, and since it’s a subjective score, you always want to put on a smiling face. That’s why music was such an important escape for me; I felt like I had to hide my true feelings in the gym. Of course, I have to put out music that you can dance to, but I always want to show more of an emotional side as well. I can’t wait to share more!
You have a large following on social media. How do you use your platform to connect with fans, and how does that influence your music?
I’ve been doing many more lives recently, which has been a lot of fun connecting with my fans. At first, I felt like it was hard to feel like a community through just the comments because I couldn’t see the face of the user, but I love it when they inspire me to write/film an idea or song. I love taking my fans on my journey, and I have been posting more vlogs and stuff about my life and how I got to where I am in the industry. I want to inspire my fans always, and I hope I do a good job at that post-gymnastics. I can’t wait to one day be able to meet my fans in person and have that quality time with them, whether it’s in a smaller space or a huge venue one day!
Your journey is incredibly inspiring. What advice would you give to others who are looking to pivot from one career to another, especially in such different fields as sports and music?
My best advice to someone doing a big pivot is to read a lot of positive and motivational quotes! But actually, you are going to be your biggest supporter through the switch; there will be a lot of different opinions on your switching, and being able to stay positive and shut out the negative noise is important. I always tend to do things at 110%, and that is something I learned from gymnastics.
Go into it with no regrets, give yourself the best chance at doing the best you can in the new space. I know that the process will be emotionally painful and taxing, but that is part of the whole process and journey. Each step you do in the new space is a win because, like my old coach used to say, if you get 1% better every day, then you’re always improving.
What has been the most surprising or challenging aspect of your music career so far, and how have you overcome those challenges?
Honestly, the hardest part of music so far is the logistical stuff. Since I’m independent, I’m doing a crash course on how to release music. I commend anyone who is independent because there is a lot more to it than just writing a song and releasing it. It’s a whole different challenge that my brain is trying to wrap around, but I’d rather be stressed doing this than doing any other job.
Looking forward, what are your goals for your music career, and are there any collaborations or projects on the horizon that you’re particularly excited about?
My goal for my music career is to go on tour one day and have my own show! I honestly can’t wait to perform anywhere and everywhere. I hope to collaborate with more artists, and you’ll have to follow my journey and stay tuned for that.
PHOTOGRAPHER: JASON RIVERA
STYLIST: PARKER BLAINEE
MAKEUP ARTIST: CHRISTOPHER MILES
HAIR: MICHELLE GRIESI
