Meet Hannah Lux Davis, the Director Behind Some of Ariana Grande, Halsey, and Demi Lovato’s Most Successful Music Videos
Female powerhouses across the board are shaping the future of Hollywood. Between Halsey, Ariana Grande, and Demi Lovato, girl power is surging in the entertainment industry, and we couldn’t be happier about it. But wait, don’t you ever wonder who is behind the magic of their glamorous music videos? One of the industry’s top directors Hannah Lux Davis chatted with us about what goes on behind the scenes of her videos, what it’s like working with some of the biggest names in music, and her own creative process. You know her videos, but it’s time to get to know her. Trust me, she’s amazing.
“I think any video I do has a little bit of me in it.”
If you drool over Halsey’s “Alone” video as I do, you already know Davis has a keen eye for glamour, fashion, fun, and female radiance. The fierce energy she channels into her music videos comes from her own unshakeable spirit. With each response to my questions, she emits confidence, and I couldn’t help but pick up on her vibrations. It’s easy to see how she translates her own personality into beautifully crafted masterpieces. Curious about her view, I ask what she thinks makes her the secret weapon behind so many top videos. Davis responds, “I work with a lot of females, and I feel like I have good taste for what looks good on people. Like, I can look at them and say, ‘You’re going to look amazing if you have your hair like this.’ Obviously, it’s a collaboration with them and the people they work with, but I feel like I have a good eye and good taste for what makes people look their best.” Collaboration or not, I know I would totally surrender my own control to Davis to make me look good. Between the perfect angles, sublime gel lighting, and overall flawlessness of the shots, she knows exactly what to do and how to do it. If you need further proof, revisit Demi Lovato’s music video for “Sorry Not Sorry.”
While you’re checking that music video out, click on over to Ariana Grande’s video for “thank u, next.” Full of iconic female-driven movie moments, the video nearly broke the internet with its release. Who was behind the magic? Davis, of course. Reaching an audience of over 50 million people in one day, this video broke the YouTube record for the most viewed video in 24 hours upon release.
Not only does Davis perfectly construct an outside image, but she is also the glue that holds everything together when working through ideas with clients. Some clients hand her the steering wheel while others like to take a little more control. Whatever the situation, she is right there at the frontline of collaboration. Davis shares that she feeds off the collaborative creative process—the bouncing around of ideas, discussion of details, and planning that goes on behind the scenes. Personally, I have a hard time letting go of the rope when working with others, but with such an emphasis on collaboration, it’s no surprise her videos turn out so well. She emphasizes, “I feel like when you have everyone on a team and they are doing their best jobs, that’s when you create something really great. There’s no way I could create a oneman show. I can’t stress enough how important it is to pick the right team. I have different photography directors, directors of art, hair stylists, makeup artists, and so many different people with specific jobs. I think it’s setting up the right people in the right jobs to make it successful.”
None of us know for certain where the music video trends will go in the next few years. However, one thing is for sure. Women are rising to the top. Davis describes it like a “sisterhood,” with women supporting one another, and I couldn’t imagine anything better. Whether it’s the entertainment industry, the world of scientific research, or the military, female comradery is vital. It’s a breath of fresh air to see women like Davis working to not only further their careers but to empower other women as well. While it wasn’t explicitly said, it’s easy to see her videos showcase a sublime balance of sensuality, sexiness, strength, and obvious positive creative direction.
STORY ELIZABETH STAFFORD
PHOTOS RAUL ROMO