Former Disney Channel actress to perform Friday at UF

A former Disney Channel and Freeform actress is coming to UF on Friday.

Hayley Kiyoko, an actress, singer and songwriter, will be performing in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom as part of GatorNights, said Ashley Fosse, a bands committee director for Reitz Union Board Entertainment. Doors will open at 9 p.m., and Kiyoko will perform at 10 p.m.

She is being paid $10,000 for the one-hour show, which is free for students, Fosse said. The organization held a poll, asking students which artists they would like to see at UF.

“She’s an up-and-coming artist,” the 20-year-old UF marketing junior said. “She’s going to be a recognizable name.”

Fosse said Kiyoko’s popular songs “Girls Like Girls” and “Gravel to Tempo” are proof that the star is becoming better known for her skills as a singer-songwriter.

“She’s making a name for herself outside of any past projects that she’s done,” she said. Kiyoko previously acted in “Lemonade Mouth,” a Disney Channel movie, and provided voice-over for a Cartoon Network show.

Rung Chen, 19, said she heard about Kiyoko’s upcoming performance through social media. The UF behavioral and cognitive neuroscience junior said she can’t wait to see Kiyoko live.

“It always amazes me that they could afford all the stuff going on at GatorNights,” Chen said. “They do a good job of putting up fun events.”

Chen said she’s familiar with Kiyoko’s work as an actress on Disney Channel, but she’s excited to see Kiyoko as more than just a TV personality. “I want to see what she’s like offscreen,” she said.

Hayley Kiyoko