I recently caught up with the incredibly talented Kennedy Wilde following the release of her latest single, “Crash”. What started as a quick chat turned into a full conversation about all things Kennedy—her music journey, what’s next on the horizon, and, of course, her favorite foods. Which, by the way, inspired a playful new recipe: Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Napoleon. Check out the recipe below! 

Listening to “Crash” drew me in immediately—it’s polished, lively, and full of vibrant pop energy that makes you want to turn up the volume. Music has been central in Kennedy’s life. She sang before she could talk and had dreamed of being a violinist as a child. Her mom encouraged her to start with piano—“the foundation of all music,” she said. Kennedy agreed to three years of piano lessons in exchange for violin time, but never stopped playing the piano. Her classical training laid the groundwork for her soulful vocal and performance skills. As a kid, Kennedy loved theatre and attended a South Florida arts magnet, majoring in theatre with programs in vocal performance, media, dance, and orchestra. She studied Stanislavski, Shakespeare, and even performed at London’s Globe Theatre in high school. In her junior year, she joined an a cappella group, becoming a nationally ranked best-soloist in NYC (twice), learning about vocal layering and blending, which she now applies in her vocal work. Her director, Gary Stroh’s, advice was that real talent is about breath and control, not flashy riffs and belts, which shaped her approach to music. 

 

 

Kennedy has a solid foundation, despite her background being more commercial than classical. She studied songwriting and music business at Belmont University in Nashville. Instead of joining the school’s a cappella group, she carved out an impressive path by working abroad with BMG in London, completing internships, and composing for the Nashville Symphony. Kennedy truly wears many hats—writing, singing, producing, composing, and acting. These days, her main creative outlet is voiceover work, which has grown into a successful career. She’s lent her voice to projects for Disney, Jimmy Kimmel, and various Fortune 500 campaigns. For her, sharing her creativity is an incredible and meaningful privilege. 

 

 

Kennedy draws inspiration from artists like Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), especially his collaborations with Atticus Ross on scores for films such as The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Disney’s Soul. These experiences have helped shape her unique sound and emotional approach. She deeply admires the complexity of jazz, which is also reflected in her love for musical standards and voices like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. As a writer, she is deeply influenced by Neil Peart of Rush, her father’s favorite band. Growing up as a proud daddy’s girl, she was surrounded by 1970s and 1980s rock, which built a rich musical foundation. Her influences are so many, and she continues to find inspiration in the creative energy that surrounds her every day. 

Collaboration is also a key part of her creative journey, and she enjoys working with Abigail Oakley, an artist we’ve had the pleasure of featuring before on Lhyme. Together, they’ve collaborated on three tracks for Kennedy’s upcoming album. Although Kennedy is currently focusing on releasing singles, her sophomore album represents a slight shift from her 2021 album, Narcissist, which had a strong rock vibe and was mainly written solo during her teenage years, from the ages of 17 to 21. In comparison, her latest singles have a more mainstream appeal—not necessarily intentionally, but a result of her natural growth. The songs are undeniably catchy, with the polished sound and energetic feel that could easily find a place on popular playlists.

Kennedy’s music beautifully showcases her growth as an artist. While her earlier work, Narcissist, captured feelings of heartbreak and change, her newer projects radiate strength, confidence, and happiness. She hopes her listeners feel inspired to create their own joy, carve out their unique paths, stay true to themselves, and find appreciation even in life’s chaos. Her guiding philosophy? Steer clear of spaces that don’t lift you up, ignore negative opinions, and always act with kindness—especially towards those who need it most. Whether she’s releasing catchy pop singles, performing on stage, or narrating for national brands, Kennedy Wilde consistently steps into new artistic horizons—doing so with genuine authenticity, passion, and unstoppable energy. With her upcoming album just around the corner, now is a great time to follow Kennedy Wilde on Instagram and listen to her latest singles on all streaming platforms. This exciting new chapter has only just begun, and you definitely won’t want to miss it!

FOLLOW KENNEDY WILDE ON INSTAGRAM

 

 

When it comes to food, Kennedy Wilde has specific food preferences that make her meals both delicious and comforting. She appreciates a variety of dishes but tends to skip cumin and dill, which are common in some cuisines. She loves Indian and Mexican meals, just without those spices. Since her stomach is sensitive, she avoids watermelon, spicy foods, and peppers to keep things easy. Her daily meals are nutritious and packed with protein, like a delicious seared New York strip steak seasoned with Montreal spices and topped with butter, paired with eggs. She also really enjoys fresh poke bowls, smoothies, and sushi. Her fridge is always stocked with cherries and seasonal fruits, making her snacks fresh and healthy. 

Despite being health-conscious, Kennedy’s tastes are deeply nostalgic—especially when it comes to her Italian heritage. Her family hails from Naples, and while many associate pizza with her Naples heritage, it wasn’t actually a regular part of her household. Instead, she treasures pasta fagioli (pasta e fagioli), a dish made from simple ingredients like pasta, beans, and flour, which was a favorite weeknight meal from her childhood. The secret ingredient? Bacon fat. Her grandmother would save and freeze bacon grease, then slice it like butter to create a rich, flavorful base for the dish along with tomatoes. Her mother also prepared comforting dishes, like broccoli with macaroni and lentils—warm, satisfying, and affordable staples of their Italian kitchen.

When it comes to sweets, Kennedy’s favorite dessert is the classic French Napoleon, which she fell in love with as a kid during her visit to the France pavilion at Epcot. Since then, she always makes sure to stop at any French bakery she finds. She also adores chocolate-covered strawberries—simple, sweet, and beautifully elegant. When asked what food best captures the spirit of her upcoming album Crash, Kennedy immediately thought of blue raspberry shaved ice, a fun and refreshing choice. “It’s just the vibe—fun, carefree, and cool,” she explained. 

Inspired by Kennedy’s love of chocolate-covered strawberries and Napoleons, I decided on a Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Napoleon recipe. This dessert stacks flaky, buttery puff pastry with strawberry-infused whipped cream and smooth chocolate ganache, topped with a chocolate drizzle and—of course—a chocolate-covered strawberry. Even better? The chocolate is sweetened only with dates, making this indulgence as wholesome as it is beautiful. Check out the full recipe below and give it a try—just like Kennedy’s music, it’s full of depth, nostalgia, and so much heart.

 

 

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Napoleon

*Makes six individual Napoleons or two large Napoleons

Ingredients

For the pastry layers:

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon water

For the strawberry whipped cream:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries

For the chocolate ganache: 

  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips (I used Just Date Chocolate Chips)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt

Topping:

  • 6 chocolate-covered strawberries
  • Extra drizzle of ganache

Directions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Roll out the puff pastry slightly on a floured surface.
  3. Cut into 18 equal rectangles (about 2 x 4 inches each) or four equal large rectangles along the already set lines of the puff pastry.
  4. Place the pastry dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush it lightly on top.
  6. Place another baking sheet on top of the pan to keep the pastry flat while baking.
  7. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden and crisp.
  8. Prepare the strawberry whipped cream with a stand mixer and beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, freeze-dried strawberries, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
  9. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  10. Heat the cream for the ganache in a small saucepan (just until it starts to simmer and be careful not to boil).
  11. Pour over the chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute.
  12. Stir until smooth and glossy.
  13. Spread a layer of ganache on top of two layers of each set of Napoleon puff pastries and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to set.
  14. Assemble the Napoleons as follows: Layer: Pastry rectangle → generous spoon of whipped filling → another pastry rectangle → more filling → final pastry rectangle.
  15. Drizzle generously with warm ganache.
  16. Top with a chocolate-covered strawberry or a fresh one.
  17. Serve and enjoy!