Inside Casey McQuillen’s world of honest songwriting, powerful live moments, and music led by meaning and heart.
You’ve toured with legends like Anastacia and Loreen across massive arenas in Europe. What has that experience taught you about connecting with large, diverse audiences?
Performing in arenas overseas taught me something beautiful: no matter where we come from, we all want to feel connected. When I share something honest and emotional, the audience responds, whether it’s 100 people or 10,000. I learned to lean into those universal feelings and trust that vulnerability translates everywhere. That sense of unity is something I’ll never get over.
Your recent single “Good” feels deeply personal. What inspired the song, and what message did you hope listeners would take away from it?
“Good” was written from that lifelong feeling of never quite being enough. Growing up, I often felt like I was standing just one step to the left of where everyone else seemed naturally comfortable. I believed I had to perform goodness in order to earn approval. I tried to behave in the ways I thought society expected of me, even when it didn’t feel authentic.
As I got older, I began to understand that real confidence comes from defining yourself by your own standards, not by how others see you. That shift has been a major part of finding self-acceptance. But the song also acknowledges that this isn’t a lesson you learn once and never revisit. It is an ongoing journey. I am still reminding myself every day that who I am at my core is already worthy of something good. 
From American Idol to The Kelly Clarkson Show to sold-out shows in London, what have been the defining moments in your journey so far?
Performing in front of massive audiences on American Idol, appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and opening in arenas around the world for artists like James Morrison and Anastacia have all been incredible honors that shaped me in big ways. Those experiences showed me what was possible. But the most defining moments have been my own headline tours, standing onstage in front of people who came specifically to hear my music.
Filling rooms with a community that has slowly and steadily grown around these songs is the most fulfilling feeling I’ve ever known. As someone who has worked at this for a long time, finally watching the needle move and seeing fans connect with each other from city to city and country to country has been breathtaking. That sense of belonging is the real dream for me.
“Christmas Morning (I’ll Be Home)” captures such a nostalgic holiday feeling. What role does family and tradition play in your songwriting? Family has always been at the center of who I am and why I make music. I’m such a sentimental person, especially around the holidays. When I’m out on tour during that time of year, no matter how exciting the shows are or how grateful I am to be performing, a big part of me is always longing for home. I picture the people I love, the familiar chaos of everyone piling into the kitchen, and the comfort of being wrapped up in those traditions that make the season feel real.
That’s exactly why I wrote “Christmas Morning (I’ll Be Home).” It’s a promise to myself and to the people who matter most to me that no matter where this journey takes me, I will always find my way back in time for the moments that count. My songwriting often taps into that yearning for connection and belonging. Holidays bring that feeling into sharp focus. The song is my love letter to home, to the traditions that shaped me, and to the idea that success means nothing if you can’t share it with the people who made you who you are.
Your song “Wedding Date” is full of charm and honesty. Is there a personal story behind it?
“Wedding Date” comes from that complicated kind of heartbreak where two people feel a real connection, but the timing or the circumstances just aren’t right. I pictured this moment at a wedding — the romance, the excitement, the sparkle of the night — and underneath it all, the quiet understanding that the relationship unfolding on that dance floor isn’t going to last. For me, it’s about the feeling of “almost” — when you can see how beautiful something could be, but you also know, deep down, that it’s temporary.
There’s a sweetness to that kind of story, but also a pain that stays with you. Writing the song allowed me to take those messy, emotional memories from my own life and turn them into something cinematic and relatable. Everyone has had a moment where hope and heartbreak live side by side. “Wedding Date” captures that tension — the wish for a fairytale ending, even when you already know how the story will go.
Your “You Matter” Tour has impacted over 50,000 students. What made you want to take your music into schools, and how has that shaped you as an artist?
The You Matter Tour began because I remember exactly how it felt to be a teenager who wasn’t sure of her place in the world. I struggled with self-doubt and confidence, and I wrote a lot of my earliest songs during that time as a way to process those feelings. When I realized how many young people today are going through similar experiences, I wanted to use my music to open up conversations that help them feel seen and valued. Bringing those songs into schools and sharing personal stories has created these incredibly honest moments with students. I’ve been able to tell them, face to face, that their feelings are real and that they deserve to believe in their own worth. And in return, they’ve shared their fears, their hopes, and their resilience with me.
Performing for more than 50,000 students across hundreds of schools in the US, UK, and Ireland has changed me. It reminded me that music isn’t just about stages and applause. It’s about connection and impact. Hearing from students who say a song helped them through a hard time has made me more intentional in everything I create. It’s shaped my entire artistic identity — helping people feel less alone is the reason I sing.
Your debut album Skinny explores vulnerability with strength and grace. How did that project help you grow personally and creatively?
Skinny was such a powerful moment in my life, both personally and creatively. Those songs came from some of the most raw and honest corners of my heart. I finally allowed myself to talk about the insecurities and doubts I spent so long trying to hide. Writing the album felt like turning on a light in every dark room I used to avoid. At first, sharing that level of vulnerability with the world felt so scary. But then I started performing the album on tour for hundreds of thousands of people over the past few years. Seeing audiences respond so deeply and personally to the lyrics helped me understand something huge. Vulnerability is not a weakness. It is one of the strongest tools I have as an artist. When I tell the truth, people feel it. When I am open, they open their hearts too. Creatively, Skinny gave me permission to fully trust my voice and my story. It showed me that the more personal I get, the more universal the connection becomes. And personally, it helped me embrace who I am with more joy and confidence. That album did not just help me grow. It helped me step into the artist and the human I always hoped I could be.
You’ve performed on both intimate stages and giant arenas. Do you have a favorite kind of performance space?
I truly love both. Huge arenas are exhilarating. The energy is electric and I get to feel like the biggest, boldest version of myself. Smaller venues give me the chance to look people in the eye, tell stories, and share a song in a way that feels like a heart-to-heart between friends. Both experiences are such gifts, and I feel lucky every time I step onto a stage, no matter the size. But if I had to describe my favorite sweet spot, it would be a large theater, something like the Palladium in London. Those beautiful old rooms are built with intimacy right into the walls and the acoustics.
They are big enough that the crowd can completely lose themselves in the music, yet still small enough that during the most vulnerable moment of a song, you could hear a pin drop. It is breathtaking to feel that kind of shared silence, knowing that everyone in the room is holding the same emotion for a beat. That balance of scale and closeness is pure magic for me.
With so many new listeners discovering your music, how would you describe your sound and message to someone hearing you for the first time?
I like to call what I make “sad girl pop” in the very best way. I love big melodies, big vocals, and songs you can scream-sing in your car, but I always want the lyrics to hit your heart too. My music is for anyone who has ever questioned their worth or felt a little out of place but still believes, deep down, in the possibility of joy and love. At the core, I write pop music that feels good and actually means something. I want the songs to be fun and emotional and honest all at once.
I want listeners to feel seen and understood, to think “wait, that’s me,” and to walk away feeling a little more confident in who they are. If you love a catchy chorus and also love having a good, cathartic cry once in a while, then welcome. I hope you have found your people!
You’ve shared the stage with incredible artists and built a loyal fan base. What’s next for you? Any new projects or dream collaborations?
I am always writing new music, and I can’t wait to share what’s coming next! There are more shows on the horizon and a continued commitment to the “You Matter” mission. As for dream collaborations, working with artists like Taylor Swift, Maisie Peters, or Olivia Dean would be an absolute joy. I’m excited for every opportunity ahead!!
