Zelda: From AGT to Flying High with “Butterflies”

Zelda’s latest release, “Butterflies,” is a sweeping sonic experience, blending emotional depth with cinematic grandeur ~ Dr. Jerry Doby, Editor-in-Chief of  The Hype Magazine

Zelda, a self-proclaimed “Musical Fairy,” returned center stage with her latest single, Butterflies—a sonic masterpiece that transports listeners to a world of cinematic wonder. Distributed under the Bungalo/Universal Music Group umbrella, the emotionally charged track captures Zelda’s signature big sound, and like the key song of a blockbuster film, it fills the room with powerful vocals and sweeping orchestration. Known for her mesmerizing performances and versatility, Zelda continues to prove why she is a force to be reckoned with.

Below, Zelda discusses the inspiration behind Butterflies, her journey since America’s Got Talent, and what fans can expect next from this multi-talented artist.

Here’s a quick reminder of why she wowed even Simon on AGT…game changer!

Zelda dropped some insight into the new journey and project

“Butterflies” equals a cinematic masterpiece. What’s the backstory?

My recording of “Butterflies” was inspired by “My Immortal”. My producer, Sammy Oriti, found the song, and I immediately loved it. We brought in Ben Moody of Evanescence to add percussion, which gave it a really cool edge. Jay Baumgardner, who mixed “My Immortal”, also mixed “Butterflies”. For me, the entire process felt magical.

How did you approach delivering such an uplifting performance on this track?

The song fits me perfectly—it’s in the right key for both my lower and upper registers. “Butterflies” has the dynamics for an emotional verse, followed by the perfect ramp to belt it out in my natural range. We spent days in the studio exploring different approaches to make sure I delivered the best possible performance.

AGT was a benchmark, How do you feel your music, especially with “Butterflies,” evolved since the show?

America’s Got Talent taught me the importance of a great song! My performance of “Colors of the Wind” felt amazing, and since then, I’ve been focused on creating and collaborating on songs that fit the vision for my upcoming album. We’ve got a few songs mixed by Jay Baumgardner that have this cinematic rock sound—perfect for a James Bond movie!

Your all-female band is an exciting dynamic! We understand there’s an exciting addition on drums!

Yoyoka joining the band has been such a blessing! We’ve been juggling a few musicians for live shows since August, and it’s been great. Maddy McGehee on keys and Angelina Sidon on bass have been with me from the start. Adding Yoyoka on drums and Maria Ono on guitar, both from Japan, brings a really cool element to our all-female group.

Your loves range from music to magic shows and cosplay. How do these experiences influence your musical approach?

There’s so much imagery and beauty in “Butterflies”. I love going from fairies to butterflies, from being a music elf to a serious musician. My single “Butterflies” is just the beginning of my music career, and I’m excited to show the world all the different sides of me.

Your performances have often been described as magical and larger-than-life. How did you translate that same sense of wonder and magic into the production and sound of “Butterflies”?

Collaborating with my team, we saw the great potential in “Butterflies” right from the demo stage. The production possibilities were endless. We’re also currently filming a music video for the song, and we can’t wait to bring the visual elements of “Butterflies” to life for the fans.

Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you in terms of future projects, and will we see more collaborations in your upcoming releases?

We have 8 to 10 singles and music videos in the works. I’m really excited to share my voice and unique style with the world. Fans can definitely expect more collaborations in the future!

Zelda’s “Butterflies” offers a cinematic sound and immersive experience. Known for her dynamic performances, she continues to explore new creative directions in her music. As she prepares for upcoming releases and performances, Zelda remains an artist to watch in the evolving music landscape.

Keep up with Zelda on Instagram or TikTok @thefreckledzelda or just check our custom Zelda feed below!