Savanna Darnell brings the boss-bitch energy

“I’m good, babe. No complaints,” Savanna Darnell smiles when she joins the call. It’s the first time the “Bye Bye” singer and I have spoken in years — but, funnily enough, Savanna and I went to primary school together way back when. And, while my career has (surprise, surprise) taken me down the journalism route, Savanna’s has been booked and busy, spanning appearances on the West End to a stint in Love Island, to setting up her own heels classes, to dropping a plethora of upbeat bangers paired with feel-good, dance-infused music videos. 

The latest record in the Manchester-based artist’s discography? A breezy, low-fi, R&B tune called “What Was I Thinking?”, which dropped earlier this month. The single doesn’t just showcase the dreamy vocals the artist has been honing since her choir days, though — it also perfectly highlights the girl-power sentiment that forms the through-line of the artist’s multifaceted career. By her own admission, dance is Savanna’s “first passion”, and it’s on days like these that the artist can see her talents all come together. As we chat, Savanna is in the middle of prepping for the music video premiere of “Gotta Have It” — another of her 2025 releases — later in the evening.

“It’s in this gorgeous place in Manchester called Aviva Studios,” the singer-slash-dancer tells me. “We’re having the music video play behind the scenes, and all the crew and cast will be there. I’ve got loads of cupcakes and personalised drinks — it’s gonna be cute!” Savanna’s excitement to share her latest milestone with those around her perfectly encompasses her motivations as an artist. From creating Savvy Heels to help women feel sexy and strong through dance to creating the songs everyone needs to get through a break-up, Savanna is all about doing it for the girls.

Scarlett Coughlan: Shall we start with your musical background?

Savanna Darnell: Yeah! Music started from young. I’ve been doing everything, geez. I went into musical theatre training, so I did Thriller and toured the world with that for, like, two years. And I did the Tina Turner musical, and then Aladdin, the movie. So really I started off as a dancer, and then the singing came along later. 

SC: How did the singing come about?

SD: I was working in London, doing music videos here and there, dancing in adverts, and I was just sick of that life. It was constant auditions and I was just getting really down. So my brother, who’s an amazing producer and artist, was like, let’s just work on some music. Before then I’d been writing songs but never taken it seriously. I released one song in 2018, but then took it down ‘cause of self-doubt. 

SC: Which song did you take down?

SD: It was actually “Bye Bye”. I was in a place where I just wanted something to change in my life, and then flipping Love Island literally messaged me in March that year. So that happened and I kind of forgot about music for a while, and started my YouTube channel. I think I just fell out of love with everything — I was in a dark place after that. But I got back into music in 2020, I’d say.

SC: You still do YouTube now, though, right?

SD: Yeah! I feel like social media is so important for any artist out there these days. Everyone wants to see the daily vlogs — the ‘a day in the life’ when you go into the studio. I kind of was like, you know what? I need to bring that back. I need to let people into my life. And so that coincided with my artistry and my music. 

SC: Do you enjoy that side of being an artist?

SD: I do enjoy it. I’ve always loved documenting my life. I remember back in school days, I would take my mum’s camcorder and film everything —  vlog myself before vlogging was vlogging. When I look back at that, I’m like, wow, I’ve wanted to do that since I was tiny. 

SC: It’s like you’ve manifested it. You’re really into that, aren’t you?

SD: Yes, I got into spirituality and manifesting ever since Love Island, to be honest. 

SC: Do you think your spirituality is an important outlet as an artist?

SD: Yeah. As an independent artist these days, in the content-driven world we’re in, it feels constant. You release a song and you’re pushing out that song to everyone. Content, content, content. But then you’re also in the studio trying to get your next song, and thinking about the rollout for that. Then I’ve obviously got my business, Savvy Heels. My God. Then trying to flippin’ be a good daughter, a good sister, a good friend. It’s busy — but I’m very grateful for it. 

SC: Tell me about Savvy Heels!

SD: I started Savvy Heels because I was going through a shit time. I started it in New York when I moved over there because I needed friendships, I needed community and I was really missing that vibe of meeting up with girls and having a girl squad. And then, when I started dancing again, that’s when I started becoming myself again. I was like, wow, dance is so powerful. And I wanted everyone to feel that — like, if they were going through anything in life, to come to a dance class and see that it can change your life. I’ve met so many people that have joined Savvy Heels because they’ve gone through a break-up or they don’t feel themselves, or they’ve had a baby and they don’t feel confident anymore. And they’ve started Savvy Heels and it’s like a completely different person.

SC: And then you brought it over to Manchester?

SD: Yes, but the first year was super slow ’cause I was in a relationship. It distracted me, so I hardly did anything. But I became single and boom — it popped the fuck off. 

SC: It’s that same girl-power vibe you bring into your music videos, too.

SD: Definitely. The boss-bitch vibe is very me. I just want the girlies to feel incredible after listening to my music. If they’re ever going through a break-up or they’re feeling shit, I want them to feel confident and empowered and amazing by listening to my songs.

SC: Tell me about your song, “Gotta Have It”.

SD: The inspiration for that is very much what we’ve been talking about actually — looking up to people that you aspire to be, and then seeing those things coming to fruition for yourself. But it’s also hard because you always look to keep doing more and keep achieving more. But, actually, you are living your dreams right now, so it’s important to take that in. 

SC: What about the “Gotta Have It” video?

SD: It’s very fun. Lots of girl power. Lots of the Savvy girls who come to Savvy Heels. It’s just so lovely to have people around me that support me and want me to win. It’s just beautiful. As an independent artist, it can be real tough, but having your cheerleaders around you is so important because that self-doubt really does come in.

SC: You’re such a cheerleader for the women around you too, though. 

SD: I think, my entire life, I’ve just gravitated towards girls. I love my friends. I love my girls. I love women in general — my mum, my sister. I just want them to achieve everything in life, and I want them to feel amazing and I want them to feel confident. I want them to be the best versions of themselves. And having a job where I’m able to change their lives and make them feel amazing is just so rewarding. It’s really my purpose.