Dominique Ilie is on the path to the Billboard charts

Dominique Ilie has kept his focus on music since the 2022 release of Sunflower, and the path forward still points toward wider recognition. Now 18 and based in Laguna Beach, he continues to release independent singles and perform live studio sessions while balancing early acting credits. The conversation from that period remains useful because it captures how he started and how he thinks about craft, goals, and staying grounded.

How long have you been a musician?

If you ask my mom, she would say I was born a musician. I sang, danced and play the drums since I could walk, so I am told. I come from a musical family, so I guess I was born into it. My music education started when I was 4 years old, I now sing, play piano and guitar, I produce and write my own music.

Who are some of your favorite musical artists?

I love listening to music of all kinds, and I especially love discovering new artists, or old artists that are new to me. At this moment some of my favorite artists that I look up to and inspire me to work hard every day are Tyler the Creator, Kendrick Lamar, Billy Eilish.

What albums get you inspired to create your own music?

I love Tyler’s album “Igor” because it was the first album that I listened to that changed my perception in music.

I also love Xxxtentacion’s album “17” love his message at the beginning of the album, I think that is so powerful. He connects with the audience and sets the scene before you even get to hear his music. I love the way he opens up his heart and demands his fans to do the same before jumping into his world.

How did you get started making music professionally?

As I mentioned, I come from a family of musicians. My father was classically trained and played oboe and piano. He has a master in sounds engineering and owns a Recording Studio and a Music Academy. My grandmother is an opera singer with an impressive career behind her, she has been my teacher and guide. I am extremely lucky to have had many teachers and talented musicians to help me find my voice and expand my skills. I continue to be guided and supported by amazing people without whom I could never be where I am.

Can you tell us about your songwriting process?

I am still trying to find the best way to write. Sometimes I start something from scratch by playing a chord progression on piano or guitar, but I prefer getting in the studio with my producer and making beats that I can write on later. I am only 14 years old, and I only started writing music two years ago. I have many talented musicians, producers, and song writers that help me discover my creativity and polish my ideas into amazing songs. I am very grateful for my team and the people around me that continue to support me and guide me.

What was it like recording your latest single “Sunflower”?

Sunflower is the most recent song I have recorded. I love being in the studio and I love recording, despite of all the hard work and challenges. My voice has been changing in the past two years, I now sound so different compared to my first original song, Colors, released in 2020. I feel that Sunflower is the first single recorded since my voice changed, and in a way it marked a new beginning for me. Later releases, including Crying in the Rain, reflect the same focus on vocal clarity and emotional delivery that began with that shift.

Why did you go with a Valentine’s Day release for the song?

Sunflower is a love song, so what better day to release it. I am a romantic and all my songs so far are about love, even though I don’t have a lot of experience in that field yet. Sunflower is about the perfect person, the perfect love that exists only in our own imagination.

Do you have any other music projects currently in the works?

Yes, I am planning on releasing singles throughout the year. I am hope I will be able to release my first album soon. I feel extremely inspired and determined to make a career out of the thing I love most, music. That plan has continued with independent singles such as Crying in the Rain and a steady schedule of weekly live studio sessions and covers on YouTube.

Recent Music Releases and Style Evolution

Since Sunflower, Ilie has released additional singles that lean into pop and R&B with a clear emphasis on soulful vocals. Crying in the Rain arrived after the 2022 single and shows the same attention to melody and phrasing that marked his post-voice-change work. He maintains a regular cadence of live studio sessions streamed on YouTube, often covering R&B and soul tracks in real time. These releases and sessions keep new material in front of listeners while he builds toward a full album project.

Live Performances and Band Work

The original goals for live shows have taken shape through regular studio band sessions and rehearsal footage posted online. Recent clips show Ilie performing with a full band, including a Michael Jackson cover that highlights his range and stage presence. These sessions function as both practice and content, letting fans see the rehearsal process and the finished takes. He continues to prepare for upcoming live dates while keeping the focus on consistent performance quality rather than large-scale announcements.

What are some of your biggest goals in music?

I want it all. I want to make the best possible music I can, and overcome the person I was yesterday. I want my music to impact the world and my singles to be on the Billboard charts. Most importantly, I want to write and sing music that inspires me. I hope to never get lost in the crowd and stay true to my own unique self. No confirmed Billboard entry has appeared yet, so the emphasis has shifted to consistent releases and live sessions that keep the work visible.

Switching focus now to your acting career, what first drew you into acting?

Honestly, I loved performing and meeting new people. I was one of those kids that had a blast auditioning because I would get to chat with casting directors and new people all the time. I love the spotlight and the attention. Early credits include a recurring role in the horror series Look-See and an appearance in the film Life Coach, which gave concrete experience alongside the music work.

Who are some people in the acting world that you’d love to work with?

That’s a thought question because there are so many great actors that I admire. I would love to work with Zendaya one day, she is an amazing singer and actress. I admire her talent and hard work, because I know how much dedication and work is behind every success.

Do you have any ongoing projects that you can talk to us about?

My main focus right now is music; I am working on new music and towards my first album release. Another project that I am extremely excited about is my affiliation with Wells of Life Foundation. My family and I love traveling and meeting people from different cultures. Seeing how harsh life can be in different parts of the world made me realize how important it is for me to act and help when I can. One person can make a huge difference. I became one of the ambassadors for this amazing charity, which has been digging wells and bringing water to the neediest people of Uganda for more than 10 years. I chose this organization because I know the founder and the people who run it. They are truly amazing people and an inspiration to me. Music remains the primary focus, supported by the early acting roles in Look-See and Life Coach.

Current Acting Credits and Dual Career Balance

The acting section in the original interview stayed aspirational, but the credits provide a practical foundation. The recurring role in Look-See and the part in Life Coach gave Ilie set experience and exposure to different production rhythms. Music still takes the lead in scheduling and public output, yet the acting work supplies another lane for performance skills and industry relationships. The two paths run in parallel rather than in competition.

What are some shows you’ve been obsessing over lately?

I don’t watch a lot of TV because my time is limited. I work two jobs, I am a student and a musician :). Its been a while since I got into a show, but I think the last few ones I binge watched was, Naruto and Manifest.

How do you stay motivated?

I am a positive person. I have days when all I want to do is to see my friends and be a normal teenager, and I allow myself to do just that. Balance is important, I have days when I work hard and I have a full schedule, but I also take time to relax and recharge. I also have my parents and my fans that motivate me to be better every day. It's easy to stay motivated when people around me are supportive, I am grateful for that. The current schedule of live sessions and social content adds another layer of accountability and direct feedback.

Do you have a favorite film of all time?

I love animals, but especially dogs. A Dog’s Purpose is one of my absolute favorite movies, it was one of the few times when I cried at the movie theater.

What’s your five year plan?

Hmm, I don’t have a 5 year plan, but I do have step stones I want to reach. I want to release my first album before the age of 15. I want to have a single on the Billboard charts at 16, and I want to have a concert sold out at Staple Center by the time I am 18. I guess I have a 4 year plan :) Now 18, the original age-based targets have passed without confirmed chart placement or arena headline dates, so the focus rests on steady output and live readiness.

Social Media and Fan Engagement in 2026

Ilie’s Instagram presence has grown to roughly 393,000 followers, with regular reels, TikTok clips, and direct posts that mix studio takes, covers, and personal updates. The content style favors quick, repeatable formats that let fans hear new material and live performances without waiting for formal releases. This loop of posting, responding, and iterating keeps the audience involved between singles and supports the longer-term goal of building a recognizable catalog.

What advice would you give to an artist out there who’s just getting their start?

I think the most important thing is to find your own voice and stay true to it. I have had many people telling me what to sing or write, but I think is more important to trust your own instincts. I think music has to be truthful to be impactful, and for that you have to pour your own heart into it, there’s no fixed recipe. I also think you have to push to be the best you can be to make it. There are so many talented musicians, I see them online all the time. We are so lucky to have so many platforms where we can share our music, but the competition is real.