{{short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1994)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Zolita | image = Zolita 06 27 2018 -10 (44191729000) (cropped).jpg | caption = Zolita performing at The Grove in Los Angeles, California in June 2018 | birth_name = Zoë Montana Hoetzel | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|9|23}} | birth_place = <!--As per WP:LINKDIRECT and Template:infobox person, birth/death place indicates CITY, state, then country. No need to spell out "United States; 'U.S.' is fine.--> | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|director|photographer}} | years_active = 2015–present | website = {{URL|http://zolitamusic.com/}} | instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|piano}}<!---Only list those primarily known for using, per Template:Infobox_musical_artist/doc#instrument. If you think any other instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first ---> | genre = {{hlist|Alternative pop|electropop}} | label = {{hlist|Tuxedo Media Group LLC|AWAL}} }}
'''Zoë Montana Hoetzel''' (born September 23, 1994), known professionally as '''Zolita''', is an American singer-songwriter. In 2015, she gained recognition when the music video for her song, "Explosion" became a viral video. Following its success, she released the music videos for the singles "Holy" (2016) and "Fight Like a Girl" (2017) directed by herself. She has released three extended plays: ''Immaculate Conception'' (2015), ''Sappho'' (2018), and ''Falling Out / Falling In'' (2023) as well as two studio albums: ''Evil Angel'' (2020) and ''Queen of Hearts'' (2024).
== Early life == Zolita was born on September 23, 1994, in New York to Heidi Schwarck and Holger Hoetzel, and was raised in Calabasas, California. Her father is of German descent, and her mother is of Danish descent. Her father inspired her to start making music and she grew up playing bluegrass and flat pick guitar.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://i-d.co/article/video-premiere-future-queer-icon-zolitas-feminist-pop-anthem/ |title=Video premiere: future queer icon zolita's feminist pop anthem | first=J.L. | last=Sirisuk | work=i-D |date=August 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.laweekly.com/zolita-is-the-pride-of-la/ |title=Zolita is the Pride of LA | last=Callwood | first=Brett | work=LA Weekly | date=June 2, 2022}}</ref> She has a brother, Max Montana, a basketball player, and a sister, Luna, a YouTuber and ballerina. She and her siblings all share the middle name Montana.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bild.de/sport/mehr-sport/basketball/basketball-profi-max-montana-vom-90-geburtstag-zu-den-towers-60019716.bild.html |title=Basketball-Profi Max Montana Vom 90. Geburtstag zu den Towers | trans-title=BASKETBALL PRO MAX MONTANA: From the 90th birthday to the Towers | work=Bild |first=Ralf |last=Schmitt |date=February 7, 2019 |language=de}}</ref>
== Career == In 2015, Zolita gained recognition when the music video for her song, "Explosion" became a viral video.<ref>{{Cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/zolita-interview-20-questions-1235149743/ | title=20 Questions With Zolita: On Her New Single, Queer Representation & Why Music Videos Are the 'Perfect Marriage' of Media | first=Stephen | last=Daw | magazine=Billboard | date=October 4, 2022}}</ref> On October 13, 2015, she released her debut extended play ''Immaculate Conception''.<ref name="itunes ic"/> In June 2016, she released a video for the single "Holy", containing themes of female sexuality, spirituality, and feminism.<ref name=dazed>{{cite news | url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/31681/1/watch-love-blossom-in-a-dystopian-schoolhouse | title=Watch love blossom in a dystopian schoolhouse | first=Selim | last=Bulut |work=Dazed | date=June 21, 2016}}</ref>
In 2017, Zolita released the first single from her second extended play ''Sappho'' titled "Fight Like a Girl", a protest song with feminist themes inspired by the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.out.com/out-exclusives/2017/8/17/zolita-queer-feminist-pop-star-we-need | title=Zolita: The Queer Feminist Pop Star We Need | first=Justin | last=Moran | work=Out | date=August 17, 2017}}</ref> On October 26, 2017, she released "Come Home with Me" as the second single, and on May 4, 2018, she released "New You" as the third single from her second extended play ''Sappho'' which was released on May 18 of that year.<ref name="chwm"/><ref name="ny"/><ref name="Shappo"/> Also in May 2018, she released "Like Heaven", which was listed on the list of "30 Lesbian Love Songs" by ''Billboard''.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/lesbian-love-best-songs-playlist-7972931/ | title=30 Lesbian Love Songs: Tegan & Sara, Hayley Kiyoko, Le Tigre & More | magazine=Billboard | first=Erica | last=Russell | date=February 13, 2019}}</ref> On December 5, 2018, she released "Truth Tea" along with a music video as the lead single from her debut album, ''Evil Angel''.<ref name=paper>{{cite news |title=Zolita Talks 'Big Dyke Energy' and Her Queer Heartbreak Banger |url=https://www.papermag.com/zolita-truth-tea-video-premiere | work=Papermag | date=December 5, 2018}}</ref> On March 8, 2019, she released "Black Magic" along with a visual video, however, the song wasn't included on the final tracklist of her debut album. On June 28, 2019, she released "Shut Up and Cry" along with a lyric video as the second single from ''Evil Angel''.<ref name="blackmagic"/><ref name="Shutupandcry"/><ref name="paper"/> On February 14, 2020, she released a cover of Usher's song "U Remind Me" with a music video.<ref name="urm"/> On August 7, 2020, she released "Oblivion" along with a music video as the third single from ''Evil Angel''.<ref name="oblivion"/> On September 25 of the same year she released "Bedspell" as the fourth single from the album, and on November 20 she premiered the music video on the online magazine's website ''Them.''<ref name="bedspell"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.them.us/story/zolita-new-video-bedspell-premiere | title=Premiere: Zolita Delivers a Sexy Pop Fantasy in a New Video for Single "Bedspell" | first=Michael | last=Cuby | work=Them. | date=November 20, 2020}}</ref> The promotional single, "Loveline" was released a week before the album's release,<ref name="loveline"/> and on December 4, 2020, her debut studio album, ''Evil Angel'', was released.<ref name="itunes evilangel"/>
Zolita released music videos for "Somebody I Fucked Once,"<ref name="SomebodyYT">{{Cite AV media |title=Zolita - Somebody I F*cked Once (Official Music Video) | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy32_Z3kVms | via=YouTube |date=September 22, 2021}}</ref> "Single In September,"<ref>{{Cite AV media | title=Zolita - Single in September (Official Music Video) | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW-KwWFA-bg | via=YouTube | date=February 16, 2022}}</ref> and "I Fucking Love You"<ref>{{Cite AV media | title=Zolita - I F*cking Love You (Official Music Video) | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptHY0sKWyLw | via=YouTube | date=April 27, 2022}}</ref> as a trilogy. Within the first week of release, the music video for "Somebody I Fucked Once" had 5 million views on YouTube. Her love interest is played by Tatchi Rigsby. Zolita's close friend Shannon Beveridge was the creative director for the latter two videos. <ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/premiere-zolita-pays-tribute-to-lesbian-cheerleader-narrative-in-00s-inspired-music-video/ | title=Premiere: Zolita pays tribute to the "lesbian cheerleader narrative" in 00s-inspired music video | first=Sam |last=Demshenas |work=Gay Times | date=September 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/pop-star-zolita-on-why-we-need-more-joyful-queer-love-stories | title=Zolita on Why We Need More Joyful Queer Love Stories | author=Zolita | work=The Daily Beast | date=June 27, 2022}}</ref><ref name="SomebodyYT"/> She released the EP ''Falling Out / Falling In'' via AWAL in February 2023.<ref name=Falling>{{Cite news | url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Zolita-Releases-Falling-Out-Falling-In-EP-20230210 | title=Zolita Releases 'Falling Out / Falling In' EP | first=Michael | last=Major | work=BroadwayWorld | date=February 10, 2023}}</ref>
In 2024, Zolita released multiple singles, including "Small Town Scandal", all of which were part of the album ''Queen of Hearts'', released later that year.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://glaad.org/queer-pop-sensation-zolita-premieres-small-town-scandal-and-announces-upcoming-album-and-tour/ | title=Queer Pop Sensation Zolita Premieres "Small Town Scandal" and Announces Upcoming Album and Tour! | first=Allison | last=Bloom | work=GLAAD | date=April 4, 2024}}</ref>
==Artistry== Zolita's music has been described as "a blend of dark-pop and R&B".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://gomag.com/article/zolita/ | title=Zolita Is The Lesbian Indie Pop Artist Of Our Fantasies | first=Ciara | last=Pitts | work=GO | date=January 18, 2019}}</ref> Her musical style incorporates witchcraft and religion. She says that religious and witchcraft magic aesthetics are a huge part of her life saying "I feel like queer people are so drawn to Wicca and witchcraft because it's always been the alternative religion, it puts the power in yourself, and it's not historically been a religion that doesn't like queer people."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/zolita-solidifies-her-status-as-the-reigning-queen-of-witch-pop-with-her-debut-album/ | title=Zolita solidifies her status as the reigning queen of witch-pop with her debut album | first=Sam | last=Damshenas | work=Gay Times | date=December 4, 2020}}</ref> She also cites Lady Gaga as her biggest influence.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/zolita-on-the-importance-of-being-a-feminist-lesbian-in-the-music-industry/ | title=Zolita on the importance of being a "feminist lesbian" in the music industry | first=Sam | last=Damshenas | work=Gay Times | date=July 3, 2018}}</ref>
==Personal life== Zolita is a lesbian. In a 2017 interview, she stated that she was afraid to come out to her female friends, saying "I was also worried that my female friends would no longer want to have girls' nights or sleepovers for fear that I might be attracted to them. So, I decided to keep my newfound queerness a secret."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.out.com/news-opinion/2017/10/11/zolita-coming-out-owning-her-queerness-music | title=Zolita on Coming Out & Owning Her Queerness in Music | author=Zolita | work=Out | date=October 11, 2017}}</ref> She also identifies herself as a witch; she explains this in videos on her YouTube channel, but also in her music videos where witchcraft is incorporated.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/118627/zolita-on-why-she-incorporates-witchcraft-into-her-music/ | title=Zolita on why she incorporates witchcraft into her music | first=Sam | last=Damshenas | work=Gay Times | date=February 18, 2019}}</ref>
==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! Title ! Details |- ! scope="row"| ''Evil Angel''<ref name="itunes evilangel">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/evil-angel/1540873528|title=Evil Angel by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204172142/https://music.apple.com/us/album/evil-angel/1540873528|url-status=dead}}</ref> | * Released: December 4, 2020 * Format: CD, LP, digital download * Label: Self-released |- ! scope="row"| ''Queen of Hearts'' | * Released: May 31, 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Zolita-Returns-With-New-Album-Queen-Of-Hearts-in-May-20240314|title= Zolita Returns With New Album 'Queen Of Hearts' in May|website=Broadway World|date=March 14, 2024|access-date=April 7, 2024}}</ref> * Format: digital download * Label: AWAL |}
===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! Title ! Details |- ! scope="row"| ''Immaculate Conception''<ref name="itunes ic">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/immaculate-conception-ep/1045067668|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528140513/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/immaculate-conception-ep/1045067668|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2018|title=Immaculate Conception - EP by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref> | * Released: October 13, 2015 * Format: Digital download * Label: Self-released |- ! scope="row"| ''Sappho''<ref name="Shappo">{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/sappho-ep/1380867263 |title=Sappho - EP by Zolita |publisher=iTunes Store (US) |date=May 18, 2018}}</ref> | * Released: May 18, 2018 * Format: CD, digital download * Label: Tuxedo Media Group LLC |- ! scope="row"| ''Falling Out / Falling In''<ref name=Falling/> | * Released: February 10, 2023 * Format: CD, digital download * Label: AWAL |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:2em;"| Year ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Album |- ! scope="row"|"Explosion"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/explosion/1030596227?i=1030596233|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528135151/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/explosion/1030596227?i=1030596233|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2018|title=Explosion - Single by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=August 11, 2015|access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref> | rowspan="1"|2015 | rowspan="2"|''Immaculate Conception'' |- ! scope="row"|"Holy"<ref name=dazed/> | rowspan="1"|2016 |- ! scope="row"|"Fight Like a Girl"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fight-like-a-girl/1263300208?i=1263300219|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528140504/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fight-like-a-girl/1263300208?i=1263300219|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2018|title=Fight Like a Girl - Single by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=July 28, 2017|access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref> | rowspan="2"|2017 | rowspan="3"|''Sappho'' |- ! scope="row"|"Come Home with Me"<ref name="chwm">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/come-home-with-me/1293382253?i=1293382260|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528140449/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/come-home-with-me/1293382253?i=1293382260|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2018|title=Come Home with Me - Single by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=October 26, 2017|access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|"New You"<ref name="ny">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/new-you/1368831841?i=1368832040|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528140456/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/new-you/1368831841?i=1368832040|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2018|title=New You - Single by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=May 4, 2018|access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref> | rowspan="2"|2018 |- ! scope="row"|"Truth Tea"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/truth-tea/1443052412?i=1443052414|title=Truth Tea - Single by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=December 5, 2018|access-date=January 21, 2019}}</ref><ref name=paper/> | rowspan="3"|''Evil Angel'' |- ! scope="row"|"Black Magic"<ref name="blackmagic">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/black-magic-single/1454342762|title=Black Magic - Single by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=March 8, 2019|access-date=July 2, 2019}}</ref> | rowspan="2"|2019 |- ! scope="row"|"Shut Up and Cry"<ref name="Shutupandcry">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/shut-up-and-cry-single/1468985081|title=Shut Up and Cry - Single by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=July 2, 2019|archive-date=July 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702200557/https://music.apple.com/us/album/shut-up-and-cry-single/1468985081|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|"U Remind Me"<ref name="urm">{{cite web |title=U Remind Me - Single by Zolita |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/u-remind-me-single/1497016294 |website=Apple Music |access-date=1 March 2020 |archive-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301211151/https://music.apple.com/us/album/u-remind-me-single/1497016294 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | rowspan="3"|2020 | rowspan="1" {{n/a|Non-album single}} |- ! scope="row"|"Oblivion"<ref name="oblivion">{{cite web |title=Oblivion - Single by Zolita |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/oblivion-single/1523561625?l=en |website=Apple Music |access-date=9 August 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | rowspan="3"|''Evil Angel'' |- ! scope="row"|"Bedspell"<ref name="bedspell">{{cite web |title=Bedspell - Single by Zolita |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/bedspell-single/1530643311 |website=Apple Music |access-date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216141339/https://music.apple.com/us/album/bedspell-single/1530643311 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|"Somebody I Fucked Once"<ref name="Somebody">{{cite web |title=Somebody I Fucked Once - Single by Zolita |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/somebody-i-fucked-once-single/1604892514?l=en |website=Apple Music |access-date=3 May 2022}}</ref> | 2021 |- ! scope="row"|"Single in September"<ref name="sis">{{cite web |title=Single in September - Single by Zolita |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/single-in-september-single/1606248008?l=en |website=Apple Music |access-date=3 May 2022}}</ref> | rowspan="4”|2022 | rowspan="2” {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row"|"I Fucking Love You”<ref name="Ifly">{{cite web |title=I Fucking Love You - Single by Zolita |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-fucking-love-you-single/1617154350?l=en |website=Apple Music |access-date=3 May 2022}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|"20 Questions"<ref>{{cite web |title=20 Questions - Single by Zolita |date=2022-09-21 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/20-questions-single/1642819541 |access-date=2022-09-22}}</ref> | rowspan="3” | ''Falling Out / Falling In'' |- ! scope="row"|"Ruin My Life”<ref name="ruinMyLife">{{cite web |title=Ruin My Life - Single by Zolita |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/ruin-my-life-single/1651533332 |website=Apple Music |access-date=11 Nov 2022}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|"Ashley” | 2023 |- ! scope="row"|"All Girls Go to Heaven" | rowspan="4"| 2024 | rowspan="4" | ''Queen of Hearts'' |- ! scope="row"|"Small Town Scandal" |- ! scope="row"|"Bloodstream"<ref name="paper2">{{cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/zolita-bloodstream|title=Zolita Talks 'Bloodstream' - PAPER Magazine|work=Paper|publisher=ENTtech Media Group|last=Guzman|first=Ivan|date=February 8, 2024|accessdate=August 31, 2024}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|"Bye Bye Baby"<ref name="bw2">{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Zolita-Shares-Guitar-Driven-Alt-Pop-Track-Bye-Bye-Baby-20241016|title= Zolita Shares Guitar Driven Alt-Pop Track 'Bye Bye Baby'|work=Broadway World|publisher=Wisdom Digital Media|last=Sharpe|first=Josh|date=October 16, 2024|accessdate=November 2, 2024}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|"Hell's Belles"<ref name="inmusic">{{cite web|url=https://inmusicblog.com/new-music/zolita-hells-belles-stream-now|title=Zolita Returns With Country-Pop Anthem “Hell’s Belles”|work=InMusic Blog|date=May 13, 2026|accessdate=May 14, 2026}}</ref> | rowspan="1"|2026 | rowspan="2" {{tba}} |}
===Promotional singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:2em;"| Year ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Album |- ! scope="row"|"Like Heaven"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/like-heaven/1368833322?i=1368833563|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528140506/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/like-heaven/1368833322?i=1368833563|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2018|title=Like Heaven - Single by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=May 11, 2018|access-date=May 27, 2018}}</ref> | rowspan="1"|2018 | rowspan="1"|''Sappho'' |- ! scope="row"|"Loveline"<ref name="loveline">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/loveline-single/1536863795|title=Loveline - Single by Zolita|publisher=iTunes Store (US)|date=November 13, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127214753/https://music.apple.com/us/album/loveline-single/1536863795|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rowspan="1"|2020 | rowspan="1" |''Evil Angel'' |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Zolita}}
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Category:1994 births Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters Category:21st-century American women singers Category:21st-century American women pianists Category:American lesbian musicians Category:American LGBTQ singer-songwriters Category:American music video directors Category:American people of Danish descent Category:American people of German descent Category:American pop guitarists Category:American pop pianists Category:Women music video directors Category:American feminist musicians Category:LGBTQ people from New York (state) Category:Living people Category:Singers from California Category:American Wiccans Category:LGBTQ Wiccans Category:American LGBTQ photographers Category:Lesbian photographers Category:Queer photographers Category:American queer women Category:American LGBTQ directors Category:21st-century American women guitarists Category:21st-century American guitarists Category:Wiccan feminists Category:Queer feminists Category:American LGBTQ women singers Category:American queer singers Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people