At just 20 years old, Seanna Pereira is already navigating an intersection of music, film, and fashion with ease. A singer-songwriter, model, and actress, Pereira has appeared in feature films including Shoot or Die, An Enchanted Ruby, and Everglades, with co-starring roles on Fox’s 24: Legacy and The CW’s Valor. Now, she’s stepping fully into her sound. With the release of her debut single Options—and an EP soon to follow—Pereira marks a defining shift from child performer to self-assured artist, using vulnerability, visual storytelling, and lived experience to shape a bold new chapter. Spotlight sat down with the artist to talk one on one on navigating her career and celebrating new beginnings.
SPOTLIGHT: You’ve been performing since childhood—what does releasing Options symbolize for you at this stage of your career?
PEREIRA: Options feels like my transition from childhood to adulthood in this industry. Coming back to acting and music as an adult is completely different from doing it as a child, but I’m incredibly grateful for my early experiences—they shaped me and gave me the foundation I have now.
This industry comes with a lot of rejection, and having been in it since I was five, I’ve developed thick skin. At the same time, I still care deeply about how my music is received, and that’s something I’m continuing to work through. Options is intimidating in that way, but it also feels like the first real step in embracing my artistry and allowing myself to be vulnerable as an adult, not just as the child people remember.
SPOTLIGHT: The song is inspired by a real dating experience. How did writing Options change the way you see your own self-worth?
PEREIRA: I’m someone who’s always quick to give advice, but not always great at taking my own. Writing Options was about wanting listeners to feel empowered, and in the process, it pushed me to step into that energy myself. I wanted people to feel it when I sing and perform the song. Creating Options really helped me tap into a stronger, more self-assured version of myself.
SPOTLIGHT: Your debut feels very cinematic, both sonically and visually. How important is fashion and imagery in shaping your music?
PEREIRA: It means everything to me. I grew up acting, and now that I’m finally ready to share the music side of myself, I wanted to find a way to bring the two worlds together. I love being able to use my acting background to create stories through fashion and imagery.
Visual storytelling has always been incredibly important to me—it’s such a powerful part of how I connect to music, and it’s something I hope to continue building on with every release.
SPOTLIGHT: You worked with an A-list creative team on this release. What was the biggest lesson you took from that experience?
PEREIRA: Working with such an incredible team has been one of the most rewarding parts of the process, not just because of their musical expertise, but because songwriting is deeply personal for me and requires a lot of openness. I really need to feel a genuine connection with the people in the room.
Most of our sessions began by talking through how I was feeling or experiences I’ve had, past or present. Collaborating in that way has helped me grow as a writer, which matters so much to me. I love learning and evolving creatively, and I truly believe that staying open-minded is essential when it comes to writing.
SPOTLIGHT: As your official introduction as an artist, what do you hope listeners feel—or learn—when they hear Options?
PEREIRA: Options is such a fun song for me. I want people to feel empowered when they hear it. I love getting ready with my girlfriends—there’s nothing like that energy in the room. Having a song like this on the project felt essential because while I love writing ballads, I also wanted something people could dance to and sing along with.
Options is that song—one you can play in the car, on a night out, or while getting ready. It carries that cool, effortless energy you just want to step into.
