EXCLUSIVE COVER STORY: Kalin White

“Love yourself, love your family, and everything will follow.”

If Kalin White ever decides to leave the entertainment industry, he’d make one phenomenal life coach. The 21-year-old singer/songwriter grew up in the Bay Area with a single mom, who he lovingly describes as his best friend. “I had an amazing childhood,” he says. “We didn’t have much, but I was always appreciative.”

And while he loved singing around the house, he was always too shy to perform for anyone besides his mom. That all changed when Kalin was 14 and performed at his cousin’s birthday party. “I got a little round of applause and that kind of broke me out of my shell,” he explains.

During his sophomore year of high school, Kalin and his friend, Myles Parrish, recorded their first record. “We made the song and put the music video out the next day,” he says. “I was getting acknowledged by people I didn’t even know. Before you know it, we made a second song, started performing together, and I’ve been falling in love with music ever since.”

On Wednesday, the duo shocked fans when they announced their extended hiatus. “We’ve decided to take a break from making music together to focus on individual aspirations,” they wrote. Kalin revealed his aspirations during our interview. “In these past couple of years, I’ve taken an interest in acting,” he shared. “I want to explore new experiences and see what happens.”

Whether he’s acting, singing, or modeling, we’re so excited for Kalin to continue to share his love, light, and wisdom with the world. “Sometimes it’s hard to shine a light on the positive,” he says. “I think loving yourself, appreciating your values and being comfortable in your own skin really helps. Go out, do what you love, and don’t let anybody stop you. Love yourself, love your family, and everything will follow.”

Photos: Joe Magnani

Styling: Robiat Balogun