Hayley Kiyoko Shouted Out Queer Women of Color in Her VMAs 2018 Speech

Hayley Kiyoko has already christened this year "#20GAYTEEN" and her prophetic naming appeared to come true on Monday, Aug. 20, when she basically took over the 2018 VMAs, performing her hit single "Curious" while also winning an MTV Video Music Award for PUSH Artist of the Year. (She was also nominated for Best New Artist.)

While accepting her award before the ceremony started, a very excited Hayley took time to dedicate the honor to queer women of color. She wrote, "This award validates any queer woman of color, that you can follow your dreams. And I love my fans. My fans gave this to us," she said. "We did it, #20GAYTEEN!"

In addition to her VMA win, Hayley has had a pretty major year. She's currently on tour with Panic at the Disco and is about to go out on a headline tour of her own, for her 2018 album Expectations (which features "What I Need," the song and video she did with Kehlani earlier this summer). She sings unapologetic lyrics about queer relationships, and has also talked to Teen Vogue in the past about the importance of representation in music.

“I feel like everyone wants to be loved and feel validated and not feel alone,” Hayley told Teen Vogue. “I think along with that, I’m half-Japanese, and there’s not a lot of Asian people in the industry. So, being able to see someone like you inspires you to feel like anything is possible, I think that transcends any kind of industry or job. If you see someone else doing it, you believe it. You believe it when you see it. I think that’s why it’s important for myself to do what I do. And be myself to inspire other people that they can do it, too.”

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Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: OMG, Hayley Kiyoko and Kehlani Are Love Interests in Their New Music Video