Wafricnews - June 24, 2025

Rising stars Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy have been tapped to headline the upcoming LGBTQ+ teen drama Girls Like Girls, a film adaptation of Hayley Kiyoko’s breakout 2015 viral music video that reshaped queer storytelling in pop culture.

The announcement came directly from Kiyoko herself on Instagram, marking the 10th anniversary of the original video, which has amassed over 159 million views on YouTube. A defining visual moment for many young queer audiences, the video follows the emotional and romantic journey of Coley and her best friend Sonya as they navigate love, identity, and self-discovery.

Now, a decade later, Girls Like Girls is being reimagined as a full-length feature film by Focus Features, with Kiyoko making her directorial debut. She also co-wrote the screenplay with Stefanie Scott, who originally played Coley in the music video. The story had earlier been expanded into a 2023 novel, which deepened the characters’ backstories and emotional arcs.

The production boasts heavyweight backing from Marc Platt Productions with Marc Platt, Katie McNicol, Adam Siegel, and Dee Best producing. Michael Philip and Jason Moring also join the production team alongside BuzzFeed Studios’ Richard Alan Reid.

Maya da Costa, who recently drew acclaim for her role in Hulu’s Under the Bridge, will take on one of the lead roles. She is represented by da Costa Talent and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Myra Molloy, fresh off her Broadway performance as Eurydice in Hadestown and previously seen in Netflix’s He’s All That, rounds out the lead cast. She is represented by Gersh and Luber Roklin Entertainment.

Kiyoko—an openly queer artist who has often been hailed as “Lesbian Jesus” by her fans—remains at the heart of the project, continuing her mission to amplify queer representation in mainstream media. She is represented by ATC, Kaplan-Perrone, Cultured Artists, and CAA.

With Girls Like Girls, the once-viral video that touched hearts across the globe is poised to make an even bigger impact on the silver screen—ushering in a new generation of inclusive love stories that reflect the diverse realities of today’s youth.