Willow Kinley

**Willow Lucille Kinley** (March 5, 2000 - June 16, 2029) was an American social media influencer, model, and singer and former bassist of the band The Scarlet Letters.

She helped form The Scarlet Letters when she was 17, playing the bass. She was "the least musically gifted" of the group, but she did know how to market the band. Band members admit she was the main person behind the band's image, including sewing most of the band's outfits.

After the band disbanded in 2020, Kinley still wanted to achieve fame but didn't have enough faith in her singing ability to pursue music. She turned to modeling and eventually became an influencer on several social media platforms.

Due to her large following on social media, she struck several brand deals, including a short-lived record deal. She came out with several pop singles, but her debut pop album *Self-Centered* was cancelled due to a lack of both financial and critical success.

After struggling with mental illness for most of her life, Kinley attempted suicide on June 13, 2029. She passed due to brain damage three days later.

## Early Life

Willow Kinley was born on March 5, 2000 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her father, Francis Kinley, was a surgeon, and her mother, Hazel Kinley, was a psychiatrist. She had two siblings, an older brother, Francis Kinley Jr., and a younger sister, Lillian Kinley (who goes by Lily).

She grew up rather wealthy, and attend private school for grade school. When she was 14, her family moved inside the Phoenix city limits, and Kinley requested to attend public school instead of private school.

Kinley's parents tried to get her to play the violin from a young age, but she opted for the bass when she was in middle school.

Kinley was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression when she was 13. She was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) when she was 19.

## Career

### 2017-2020: The Scarlet Letters

The Scarlet Letters were formed in 2017, when Arizona Edwards, Harriet Sears, Willow Kinley, and Mercedes Rodrigo were in high school. Kinley was just 17 when she helped form the band. Kinley and Rodrigo were the ones to come up with the idea of starting a band.

Their first songs were released on a self-titled EP, followed by their debut album *Promiscuous*, released on July 20, 2018.

The band achieved moderate success within the Phoenix area and Arizona as a whole, and minor success in the surrounding states. They performed at small festivals and events in the area, they were especially popular at LGBT and feminist events due to the themes within their music.

Their last project was the mini-album *Gentlemen,* a satire album from the point of view of a misogynistic man, released on June 7, 2019. The band began to fall apart shortly after this album was released. There is debate over who was the main reason behind the breakup, but most of the band members pin the blame on Kinley, stating that she "was obsessed with fame" and pressured the other members to sign record deals and book bigger shows. The band disbanded in 2020, using the pandemic as an excuse.

### 2020-2025: Influencing and Modeling

After The Scarlet Letters disbanded, Kinley moved back in with her parents and used her social media following from the band to her advantage. She began to change her image to one of a general influencer. Rumors say that her parents bought her followers and paid to promote her account. By 2022, her following count had tripled.

Her popularity continued to grow and she began to get brand deals, and began to model for online stores. She was the face of several retail campaigns, most notably Forever 21's "edgy glam" line.

She lost most of her alternative edge and style, but she was the least edgy member of the band.

### 2025-2026: Solo Music Career

Kinley signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in early 2025. Unlike Arizona Edwards, who also went into pop after leaving The Scarlet Letters, Kinley did not retain any alternative sound or energy.

Her debut single, "Heaven," was canned by critics for being boring, bland generic pop. It was also not a chart topper, despite her influencer status.

Kinley announced her debut album, *Self-Centered*, which was set to released in early 2026, and released two more singles, "Self-Centered" and "Blah Blah," both of which were not well received.

Atlantic Records pulled the plug on *Self-Centered,* believing that it was not worth the investment.

### 2026-2029: "Downward Spiral"

Kinley's failed venture into pop music severely damaged her reputation, many considered her a "laughing stock."

Her following count began to plateau, and her image no longer began to grow. She was being offered less and less brand deals and modeling opportunities.

Kinley made several attempts to regain a growing fanbase. She created a YouTube Channel in 2026, where she posted vlogs and challenge content. She would often make fun of herself in hopes it would garner support. Her header read "Flop Era" and she would insult her songs, calling them "trashy" and often calling herself an "industry plant."

While many enjoyed her videos, it did nothing to improve her fame.

Kinley's mental health began to decline in this time, she often skipped her meds and reduced her therapy sessions.

She began to abuse prescription drugs and alcohol, and the media and public began to take notice.