Bryan Hawn is a man of many talents: singer, songwriter, artist, fitness coach, author, model, and social influencer. He is also representing the state of Alabama in the 2025 Mister USA competition. He chatted about his latest endeavors.
American author and speaker John C. Maxwell once said: “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” This quote applies to Bryan Hawn.
Hawn on his musical inspirations
On his musical inspirations, he said, “I’ve always been inspired by really great vocalists. A true artist has the ability to make people feel something. There are a lot of great voices out there, but if somebody can find a way to take a piece of their heart and really put it on the stage, that will resonate with people.”
In regard to his original music, Hawn said, “It is cool to put my own voice out there and my own message, and allow people to hear what I have to say near to my heart.”
“Life is a journey and it’s hard for a lot of people… there are a lot of struggles out there, and music is one of the most beautiful therapies out there that can heal people, and it’s really amazing to be a part of it,” he acknowledged.
“Music is one of the most positive and beautiful things that can really impact people’s lives and help them through those hard times,” he added.
2025 Mister USA competition
Mister USA is an American beauty pageant, which is held annually, and the winner goes on to represent the United States in the Mister Universe competition. It is a celebration of culture, diversity, beauty, intelligence and empowerment.
It believes in the power of young leaders to make a difference in the world. It is not solely about outer beauty; it recognizes the inner beauty and intelligence of their contestants.
On competing for the 2025 Mister USA competition, Hawn exclaimed, “It caught me off guard. I was not expecting this, and I am so excited. It gave me a little bit of encouragement and inspiration to get back on my A-game, and having something to look forward to and to be excited about. That is what Mister USA is definitely doing for me right now.”
If he were to win Mister USA, it would be “such an opportunity to pick what I am doing and be able to reach millions of people.”
“The level that I have been doing things now is amazing, the lives I’ve been able to touch via fitness, has been incredible,” he admitted. “It has always been my dream ever since I was a little boy to be a singer, ever since I was four years old.”
“Being able to share my talent on a national platform such as Mister USA is the opportunity of a lifetime. That’s a four-year-old boy’s dream coming true,” he added.
Hawn on representing the state of Alabama
“Alabama is not like the big cities,” he noted. “It has smaller towns. I am a southern boy and I grew up with that southern hospitality. Everything is very authentic; what you see is what you get, and I enjoy that.”
“I really like that small-town vibe; everybody is like a family, and feels like a part of a community. There are some beautiful things that people can learn from Alabama, for sure,” he said.
Hawn on his advocacy for Mister USA
Hawn opened up about his advocacy for the Mister USA competition. “The most important thing that I want to raise awareness about is for people to be their authentically true selves,” he said.
“So many people are trying to be somebody else, when in reality, each person is unique, and every person is a gift to the world,” he noted.
“The most powerful version of yourself is the most authentic version of yourself,” he underscored. “Just own who you are, and don’t let anyone mold you into something that you are not. Also, don’t be afraid to be unique and to stand out.”
“I don’t think I ever blended in in my entire life and it took me a moment that I wasn’t supposed to! I was supposed to stand out and I was supposed to shine, especially when we find that passion that we are excited about. That’s my big message that I want to share on the Mister USA platform,” he elaborated.
“I think it’s never too late to go for a big dream,” he added.
Superpower of choice
If he were to have any superpower, it would be “to fly.” “That would be amazing,” he admitted.
“There is so much weight on our shoulders and pressure, and when I think about flying, it is liberating,” he noted.
“When I think about flying, I think of letting go of all the things that are pulling me down (all the voices, negativity, thoughts and judgments of the world). I think that it is important to get rid of all those voices that are irrelevant,” he explained.
Hawn on the moments in his life or career that have helped define him
“Social media was something that I was born to do,” he said. “I was born to entertain but I was definitely thrown in the shark pit. Having so many people throw their opinions and judgements at me, I realized that people can be brutal.”
“That really helped me secure who I am, and I had to learn to let go of the bad and let go of the good. I had to stay true to my art, and that really made me hone in on my sense of confidence and my self-worth,” he elaborated.
“A lot of self-growth that has happened, and it has created a 2.0 version of me that didn’t exist before,” he added.
Mental health in the digital age
Hawn underscored the significance of mental health in this digital age. “The mind is where it all starts,” he said.
He continued, “As a fitness model, coach, and author, I always tell people that I never fix their bodies. I fix their minds. If people can fix their minds, then the rest will follow, and that’s with anything. It’s the control center of your whole life, and we have all this programming (whether its conscious or subconscious dictating what we believe in ourselves and what we believe about others).”
“We need to learn to reprogram that anything is possible, and get your minds working for you and not against you,” he said.
“So many people are standing in their own shadow and wondering why it’s dark. They have to break free and realize that life is limitless and you can do anything and you can be anything, and that’s what is exciting about it,” he explained.
“Mental health is so important these days, and it’s imperative to stay away from prescription drugs, alcohol, and all of these things that numb the mind. I want to be present for every moment and I want to experience the joy of everything, and be present, focused and have clarity,” he elaborated.
“By doing these simple things, they will allow anybody to succeed and be their best selves, for sure,” he added.
Hawn on being an artist in the digital age
On being an artist in the digital age, Hawn said, “It is interesting to see how the power has shifted.”
“Back in the day, the record labels used to control everything and now the power is being put in the artists’ hands… they have the social media following, they have direct access to the fans and they can access the entire world,” he explained.
“You don’t need a record label to reach millions of people with your music, and that has been super exciting to be pioneering and be a part of,” he noted.
“I am happy because that’s the way it should be. Every person should have the ability to take their talent and get as far as they want to, and social media really has put the power in the hands of the artists. The playing field is definitely leveled,” he added.
Advice for aspiring musicians and fitness coaches
For young and aspiring musicians and fitness coaches, he said, “Rome wasn’t built in a way. People want things right away, but they need to realize that there are mountains they need to climb. You don’t get something amazing without putting in all the work and facing challenges. They need to realize that failure is success; the adverse moments actually mold you and create you.”
“Every wall is a door, and every failure is an opportunity to become better,” he said. “It’s in those moments that you continue to re-craft, rebrand, redevelop, and redevelop your persona. It’s a process.”
“You go up a mountain and you discover a person that you’ve never seen before, and qualities and things come out of you. It pushes you to the limit of what you can do when you are trying to conquer something that is difficult, challenging, and daunting,” he elaborated.
“You need to do it because you love it. That’s the only way that you will put yourself through all the chaos that comes along with that journey,” he added.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Hawn revealed, “Remembering Who I Am.”
“I am really remembering what I am passionate about, what I am good at, and what I can give that people really experience on a positive level,” he explained.
Dream duet choice in music: Mariah Carey
On his dream duet choice in music, he said, “My favorite artist of all time is Mariah Carey; she was the one that inspired me to sing. She is absolutely incredible, and she made me want to go to my room, practice, and sing. Mariah definitely found her way, and she is an inspiring talent and artist.”
Hawn also complimented the musical talent of Ed Sheeran. “Ed Sheeran is super inspiring. I love all of his music. He is so talented and such a great songwriter,” he said.
Success
On his definition of the word success, he said, “Honestly, happiness is success. If you can find happiness where you are, then that’s the entire point of everything.”
“Success is more than just making money; it’s having your time free to do whatever you want, when you want, and spend it with people that you love,” he noted.
“So, success is having the freedom to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, with who I want to do it with. If you have that freedom, then you are successful,” he added.
Message for his fans and followers
For his fans and followers, he expressed, “My gratitude to all. It has been such a journey. Thank you to the people that have followed me from the very beginning when I wasn’t anybody and when I had no following.”
“Everybody starts from zero, and there were people that believed in me when I didn’t have the numbers or the fans or the success. I am forever grateful to them,” he said, effusively.
“I want to remind people that it’s never too late to go for their dreams. It is never too late,” he concluded.
American track and field running legend Steve Prefontaine once said: “To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.” Bryan Hawn embodies this wise quote.
Bryan Hawn’s songs and album are available on Apple Music by clicking here.
To learn more about artist, author, and fitness model Bryan Hawn, follow him on Instagram.
