Photo Courtesy of Tom Diva
In a time when music often moves fast and loud, Tom Diva stands out by choosing honesty, vulnerability, and emotional depth. Known online as tomdivamusic, the emerging artist crafts cinematic pop songs infused with R&B and dance elements—music that doesn’t just ask to be heard, but felt.
With releases like “Who Am I Tho”, Tom Diva explores themes of identity, self-reflection, and emotional healing, turning personal experiences into universal moments listeners can connect with.
His work reflects a desire to create safe spaces through sound—where questions are allowed, feelings are valid, and self-expression is celebrated.
Beyond music, Tom Diva’s artistry extends into storytelling and visual identity, positioning him as more than just a singer-songwriter, but a creative voice driven by purpose and connection.
In this interview, we dive into his creative journey, inspirations, and the stories behind the music that continues to resonate with listeners across the globe.
How did the name Tom Diva come about, and what does it represent for you?
Tom is who I am. Diva is borrowed from the greats like Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion. They were often labelled “divas” (mostly by men, of course) because they were supposedly difficult to work with. But that was never true.
They were simply setting strong boundaries, establishing and showcasing high self-worth and confidence in a beautiful way. That’s what made them superstars.
The word diva actually means goddess, so reclaiming and rebranding it feels like coming home to myself.
When did you realize music was more than just a hobby for you?
When I was in dental school, I kept making beats on my computer instead of studying. My heart was always in music.
Even after I graduated and started practicing dentistry, drilling teeth and extracting all day, I’d go home and still make instrumentals. That’s when I knew this calling would never leave me.
Was there a defining moment that pushed you to fully pursue music?
When I was While I was practicing dentistry, I entered a competition to win $1,500 in flight credits. I said to God, “If you let me win this, I’ll quit my job, fly to Taiwan, and pursue music as a pop artist in Asia.
And guess what? I won the raffle.
And I did not keep my promise.
A year later, I went to Taiwan for a holiday and fell so deeply in love with the music scene that when I returned home, I handed in my resignation and left dentistry for music. So I guess God got the last laugh.
How would you describe your sound to someone hearing your music for the first time?
Pop R&B, both sonically and lyrically. It’s all about self-love, told through my own stories and experiences.
Where do you usually find inspiration when writing a song?
Truth. I write from my own experiences whether that’s being in a narcissistic abusive relationship, some of the worst moments of my life, the best moments, and everything in between.
What does your songwriting process look like—from idea to final track?
I write all my music with my best friend. We usually start by finding a feeling inside us that needs to be expressed.
I’ll create a beat, then we topline it meaning we sing gibberish over the instrumental and refine it. Once the melody feels right, we let the song tell us what needs to come out lyrically. Then I lay down my vocals and vocally produce the track… and ta-da! A pop smash.
Do you usually start with lyrics, melody, or production?
We’ve done all three, but usually we start with production because it lays the foundation for the song.
Your recent releases feel very personal—what story were you hoping to tell?
Last year, I came out of a very long-term relationship with someone I loved deeply. It was only after we broke up that I realised I had been in a narcissistic abusive relationship something that never crossed my mind while I was in it.
When you’re in that kind of dynamic, it happens slowly. Someone gradually chips away at your worth, self-esteem, and confidence until you forget who you are and what you deserve.
My hope with my music is to always speak the truth so that if someone else is going through the same thing, they can find comfort, feel seen, and know they’re not alone.
How do you decide when a song is ready to be released?
I feel it in my heart. It’s a knowing like understanding which song needs to come out next to help others. It’s kind of like baking. You just know when something is fully cooked and ready to be served, and that’s ironic because I don’t cook, but that’s how I imagine it.
What has been the biggest challenge releasing music independently?
Marketing.
I’m a queer Asian Australian artist who does nearly everything himself. On top of writing, producing vocals, creating instrumentals, uploading music, designing artwork, and branding, marketing is another hat I’ve had to learn to wear.
If you don’t put your music out there and scream about it from the rooftops, no one will hear it. Especially in Australia, where the media landscape is very white. That’s why it’s even more important for me to push boundaries so those who came before me helped me walk, and those who come after me can fly.
You’ve built a strong presence on Instagram—how important is social media to you as an artist?
Extremely important. It’s the platform where you get to speak directly to your audience. I’ve been incredibly blessed to receive messages from people all over the world sharing how much they love my music and more importantly, how healed they feel after listening to it
They are my reason. I always return to my “why”: How can I help others with my music? How can I lift people up?
How do you balance creating content with staying authentic?
They go hand in hand. Everything I create comes from a place of authenticity rooted in self-love. I always ask myself, “Will this content help my music reach the people who need it?” If the answer is yes, I’ll show up even on days I feel awful. Because it’s not just about me. It’s about someone else who might need it.
What kind of connection do you want listeners to feel when they hear your music?
Loved. Comforted. Healed. Worthy.
It’s less about how they feel toward me and more about how they feel about themselves.
If my music doesn’t help someone reconnect with their worth or heal in some way, then I’m not doing my job as an artist.
Which artists or experiences have influenced your sound the most?
Neyo, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Stacie Orrico, many many more!
How do you handle creative blocks or self-doubt?
A creative block just means you haven’t written enough bad songs yet to get to the good ones.
You have to create regardless of whether it’s good or bad. If you don’t, that “bad” creativity stays trapped inside you. Think of it like a clogged pipe you have to let it flow.
Self-doubt is a practice. The more you practice it, the stronger it becomes. But if that’s true, the opposite must be true too. So I don’t feed the doubtful voice. I feed the one that’s confident, loving, and capable.
What have you learned about yourself since starting this journey?
How deeply my voice and music impact people. I recently received a message from someone who had left a domestic violence relationship and found my music healing.
Another person told me that my song Drowning helped her feel comforted while she was in a narcissistic relationship.
Knowing that people feel calmer and safer after listening to my music is a responsibility I hold very dearly.
What can fans expect from you next in 2026?
Amazing music. I know one thing about myself, I can fucking write from my heart. (Please beep the swearing if your website can’t have it!!) But truly, fans can always expect music that helps them feel.
Are there any dream collaborations you’re hoping to make happen?
Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Troye Sivan or any queer icon who has helped shape queer culture.
How do you define success for yourself as an independent artist?
Success is subjective. For me, success is waking up every day feeling aligned and confident that I’ve done what God has placed in my heart to do!
Discover the world of Tom Diva ✨
Cinematic pop, honest emotions, and music that feels.
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