You probably read the title and did a double take at the Hannah Montana reference, but yes, we’re going there. And despite the Missing posters featured in her music video, we can confirm that Flo is very much present, safe and well.
Florence Wilkes, also known as Flo, is a final-year Pharmacology student at King’s who spends her time studying the science of medicines while also writing, recording and performing her own music. From lecture theatre to recording studio, Flo balances her passion in science with a growing career in music. Pharmacology student by day and musician by night, she’s literally King’s very own Hannah Montana and getting the best of both worlds while she’s at it.
We sat down with Flo to find out where her love of music began, how she balances it alongside a full-time degree and what it’s been like building a creative career while studying at King’s.
Hey Flo! tell us a bit about yourself and what you study at King’s?
My name is Flo Wilkes, I’ve just turned 21 years old and I’m going into my final year of studying Pharmacology at King’s. I’ve been singing in a band since I was 9 years old, and we loved it so much that some of those band members are still working with me today!
I’ve always lived in London, so I chose to study here, but my journey to Pharmacology was actually a bit all over the place. I went from accepting an offer at music college, to International Relations, and finally to Pharmacology (super random!).
Side by side photo of Flo Wilkes (left) and a creative crew member (right) pose beside a brick wall covered with “Missing” posters featuring Flo’s image during the Guilty music video shoot
What inspired you to pursue music, and how long have you been creating it?
I was initially inspired to pursue music when my mum sent me to a rock ‘n’ roll camp at the age of 9. I loved being behind a microphone (probably bad news for my parents and my peers at the time!), but I had also been training classically in piano and double bass, and later in vocals from the age of 11.
I played in orchestras while also falling in love with being in a rock band, and I think being exposed to so many different styles of music at the same time was really beneficial for me.
I started writing music when I was 14, had my first studio recording experience at 15 and released my debut music in 2023 when I was 17. I’ve worked with a variety of producers and I’m so grateful for my time with all of them, but I really felt like I came into my own identity when I started working with Georgia and Archie at Sundown Studios, who have just won Producers of the Year at the Songs Behind the Music Awards!
Tell us about your new single, Guilty. What inspired the song, and why did you choose to film the music video at King’s?
I wrote Guilty when I was 16 about how hurt I was by a situationship I was in at the time. I was so hurt that I wanted him to be left thinking about how he had made me feel. I also hid his name in the song, but I’ll leave you to work out where it is…
When I started working with director Eve Dyson, we wanted to really delve into the theme of guilt and all the different elements that come with it, including church and the idea of repenting for your sins. The King’s Chapel is such a glorious location, and we loved the idea of making it the centrepiece of the music video, where all the incredible choreography by former King’s student Kai Patel takes place and the characters come to life.
We also filmed in a house and on the streets around King’s. So much of the cast and crew are current or former King’s students, which made it particularly special to shoot on campus.
Flo Wilkes poses on a residential street while a crew films her during the Guilty! music video shoot.
The music video features a cast and crew made up largely of students. Why was it important for you to collaborate with fellow students, and what was that experience like?
I think that, as a student at a top London university, I’m currently in one of the most well-connected periods of my life. So many students are looking for experience, especially in film, the arts, photography and music. I’ve been heavily involved in King’s Musical Theatre (KMT) and I’m now entering my second year on the committee. It’s really shown me the importance of community, especially in the arts, and most of the King’s students involved in the Guilty project are from KMT.
We all got into the arts because we love the creative process, so there’s something really special about taking an idea, developing it, bringing it to life, documenting the journey and finally celebrating what you’ve created. It’s made me fall in love with the arts all over again, rather than just feeling stressed by the workload. There’s also something quite magical about working with other students. Everyone is at a similar stage, starting out and feeling excited about where our careers might take us.
Flo and her team are standing behind the camera having a conversation in a house on set.
How do you balance your studies with writing, recording and producing music?
Balance is sooo tricky because I study a STEM degree, I’m heavily involved in KMT and I also work a part-time job. Honestly, I try to plan my days around the things I absolutely have to do, whether that’s a rehearsal, recording session, summative or shift, and then work everything else around them.
Google Calendar is my best friend and I drink a LOT of coffee, but I genuinely enjoy every aspect of my life, which makes it easier to keep going. I’m also surrounded by an incredible group of people who make the long days feel much more manageable.
King’s gives me some flexibility too. If I have a show one day, for example, I can catch up on a lecture online so I still have time to rehearse. It definitely involves some late nights and the occasional last-minute revision session, but somehow I make it all work!
What’s been the most rewarding part of bringing Guilty to life as well as other songs that you’ve produced?
I think the most rewarding part of bringing Guilty and my other releases to life has been creating the music videos and building a whole world around each project. I remember arriving slightly late to the first day of the Henry music video shoot and seeing around 50 people already there setting up. It was genuinely surreal.
Guilty has been especially rewarding because we had so many ambitious ideas for the video, and seeing everything come together was such an amazing feeling. There are so many moving parts involved in creating a music video, so looking back at how far we’ve come is really exciting. The best part, though, is the community. Working with the same people across different projects and creating something together makes me fall in love with the process even more.
Four members of the creative team take a selfie on the music set.
What advice would you give to other students who want to pursue a creative passion alongside their studies?
My advice to other students is simple: just do it. Be bold and be a little bit insane! Immerse yourself in the creative communities and societies at King’s, get involved and network. I’m KMT’s Social Secretary, so if anyone wants to join theatre, you know where to find me.
Make the most of being in London too. It’s one of the biggest creative hubs in the country, so experiment, try new things and don’t let studying stop you from exploring other opportunities. Sometimes my degree feels like a side quest because I’m pursuing so many things at once, but university is about opening doors beyond your course too. So, honestly, just go for it.
Crew member holding a clapperboard and winking for the cameras on set.
Where can members of the King’s community find your music and follow your journey?
Flo Wilkes sits on a chequered floor in a red and black outfit, surrounded by “Missing” posters featuring her image.