Musician and actor Rivkah Reyes delivers bubble-grunge pop track "Miss Congeniality" out now with video

 New York City-based indie rock/pop musician and actor Rivkah Reyes shares confessional, bubble-grunge tune "Miss Congeniality" out now with a matching music video set in a queer and trans Bushwick boxing gym. Unafraid to divulge her fears and expose her own patterns, Reyes documents her real, lived experiences through revealing, punchy lyricism on what she calls "sapphic doomcore situationship bangers."

LISTEN: "Miss Congeniality"

For years, Reyes has been the girl in the band. Now, she’s stepping into her own spotlight with “Miss Congeniality,” an emo-tinged, Y2K pop banger. Brimming with confidence, she sings about the exquisite joy of longing and the powerful realization that one may not be for everyone—a gleeful surrender told in power chords.

On the themes explored on the track, Reyes shares, "It's like I've been shapeshifting into whatever version of myself feels the most likable in the moment. It’s that pageant energy of being everyone’s favorite but still not actually being chosen. I’m very aware of the pattern while it’s happening, which is where the humor and the sting come from."

Produced by frequent collaborator Blonder (Anna Shoemaker, Ryn Weaver), Reyes continues, "It’s bratty, high-energy alt-pop with crunchy guitars and a bit of indie sleaze, polished on the surface but kind of unraveling underneath." Trying to remain composed, she adds, "It lives in that space between sweet and frustrated, like I’m holding it together but barely."

The video, shot at OutBox, a queer and trans boxing gym in Bushwick, sees a bruised Reyes hit the boxing ring donning a pink dress and a tiara. It was co-directed by Reyes and Katie Colwell and edited by Jill Blutt. Reyes says on the video, "I absolutely had to pay homage to Miss Congeniality because the song was so heavily inspired by it, and because I’ve loved that movie forever."

Playing with the film's themes, gender and societal expectations, Reyes continues, "There’s something so special to me about the way Sandra Bullock plays this woman who’s trying to survive inside a version of femininity that doesn’t totally fit her naturally. I really connected to that. I liked the idea of taking this super glossy, hyperfeminine world and roughing it up a little. Busted lip, smeared makeup, sweat, chaos. That contrast felt really true to the song."

WATCH: "Miss Congeniality" (Official Video)

Born in Chicago, Rivkah Reyes learned to play guitar at four years old and soon after, shot to fame as a child actor as "Katie" in the acclaimed 2003 comedy, School of Rock. Since then, she has continued to act, with roles in SZA and Keke Palmer's buddy comedy, One Of Them Days Netflix's The Merry Gentleman, the 2023 queer horror comedy short film, Gianna, written by and starring Reyes with Margaret Cho, Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls which premiered at Sundance 2023, and more. Since the beginning, music has remained constant. A string of singles has followed, including "sick" which was named Rolling Stone's Songs You Need To Know upon its release. In 2024, Reyes shared "another vice" with last year's "Big League Chew," also produced by Anastasakis, to follow. Now, the multi-hyphenate is thrilled to expand her discography with her most self-assured work yet.

The hooky new track "Miss Congeniality" is out now. Connect with Rivkah Reyes on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok and stay tuned for much more.

ABOUT RIVKAH REYES

Rivkah Reyes is a New York-based singer-songwriter and actress crafting bratty sapphic bubblegrunge. Known to many as the bassist from School of Rock, she’s stepped into her own lane with sharp, emotionally charged songwriting that explores almost-relationships, delusion, and desire. Her sound blends theatricality with intimacy, equal parts diary entry and late-night text you might regret sending.