Genevieve LeDoux’s ‘Star Forest’ Taps into a Magical, Musical Metaverse That Urges Kids to Reconnect

Emmy winning writer and musician Genevieve LeDoux doesn’t blame kids for “hanging out” in virtual games like Roblox or Fortnite. In fact, it was the massive cultural shift to virtual in 2020 that sparked LeDoux’s creativity. As she watched her own sons and their friends “hang out” in digital spaces, LeDoux found herself dreaming up an entire animated metaverse.

The Star Forest animated series — beloved by younger and older kids like my 10- and 12-year-old sons — features a cast of characters whose friendships and otherworldly adventures she hopes will inspire kids to connect and make the world a better place.

“I understood this virtual playground wasn’t just a trend but their normal,” LeDoux tells Rockmommy. “While part of my music background was in traditional bands and stages, I knew today’s kids were looking for something different. The vision that came to me in 2020 — creating relatable, aspirational characters who face the same challenges as our audience — hasn’t wavered. If anything, it’s grown stronger.”

And in 2024, her world got even bigger with the release of the first Star Forest album, Let Me Be Real, in September.

Co-written with composer Andrew Morgan Smith, the album features Star Forest’s three main characters belting out high-voltage anthems that can best be described as Taylor Swift meets ‘80s New Wave (with a touch of ‘90s Daft Punk). My favorites — which come with their own videos — are the punchy rocker “Beam On” and the emotive “Pinky Promise.” My #1 favorite (so far) is the uplifting “Let Me Be Real,” which infuses a catchy, electronic dance beat with feminine vocals and a positive message of self-love.

We recently caught up with LeDoux, who lives in Atlanta with husband Chris LeDoux and their kids, to learn more about her creative process, boy mom life, and the power of music to inspire and change lives in the digital era.

Rockmommy: Hi Genevieve! It’s so nice to meet you to talk about the storyline of Star Forest! Who (and what) were your musical and artistic inspirations in your youth?

Genevieve LeDoux: Music was woven into my family’s DNA. My uncle Terry Jones was a composer and jazz musician who played trumpet alongside greats like Stan Kenton and Miles Davis. I remember being drawn to my grandmother’s old piano, learning “Yesterday’ “by the Beatles, and then discovering the magic of changing notes and lyrics to create my own songs.

By age five, I was composing on my Casio keyboard. One of my most cherished childhood memories was my sister’s and my nightly ritual of listening to our Dad’s complete albums on our record player before bed — everything from Simon & Garfunkel and Neil Diamond to Disney’s spooky “rim Grinning Ghosts,” and even Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

Rockmommy: You’ve spent most of your career writing children’s content. How did you get into that career? Was there an “aha” moment when you realized you needed to do this?

Genevieve LeDoux: Even as a child, I was naturally drawn to creating worlds for other kids. I’d orchestrate elaborate neighborhood adventures — from rescuing stranded aliens from military compounds to whatever wild tale captured our imaginations that day. This innate connection to children’s storytelling feels like my true calling.

I believe kids are our future’s storytellers and changemakers. They possess a natural curiosity and sense of adventure that should be protected and encouraged. Working in children’s content lets me nurture that spark while hopefully inspiring them to tell their own stories. In many ways, I’m still that neighborhood kid on her bike, chasing down the next great adventure.

Rockmommy: You’ve worked on an impressive array of shows! What are some of the career milestones that inspired your journey?

Genevieve LeDoux: I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who empowered me and, as my 10-year-old would say, ‘let me cook!’ My first producer role was a genuine revelation — it perfectly combined my creative focus, juggling abilities, and what I now recognize as my ADHD superpowers. I discovered that when work energizes rather than depletes you, you’ve found your path. That same philosophy is a tell for all things in life. Winning an Emmy for the preschool series Tumbleleaf was definitely a career highlight — that show, its creators, and the entire team poured their hearts into making something truly special.

Rockmommy: You are also a mom! Did motherhood or Star Forest come first? And how did your family end up in Georgia?

Genevieve LeDoux: Motherhood definitely came first and sparked Star Forest’s creation. My kids were actually the ones who pointed out the gap — they were at that bridge age between Cocomelon and Cardi B, Sesame Street and Backstreet Boys. When I started creating music just for them, other parents immediately resonated with the need for this middle-ground content. I knew I was onto something.

As for Georgia, it was a leap of faith that paid off. After four decades in Los Angeles, my innovative Alaskan husband saw an opportunity to build a VFX house in a state ripe with creative incentives. Georgia has become home in ways we never expected — we’re both leaders in our fields, and we balance each other perfectly in this new adventure. We like to just leap. And he’s always there to catch me when I fall.

Rockmommy: Let’s back up to the pandemic, when you first conceived of the Star Forest metaverse, recording an album (and a few lyrical videos). What inspired the creation of this multi-creature band?

Genevieve LeDoux: The inspiration came from watching where kids actually “hang out” now — in digital spaces like Roblox and Fortnite. As a lifelong gamer myself, I understood this virtual playground wasn’t just a trend but their normal. While part of my music background was in traditional bands and stages, I knew today’s kids were looking for something different.

The vision that came to me in 2020 — creating relatable, aspirational characters who face the same challenges as our audience — hasn’t wavered. If anything, it’s grown stronger. The end goal, however, is more traditional. Live music and a sense of belonging for this age group — which doesn’t have that in music performances. Taylor Swift certainly figured that out.

Rockmommy: The second Star Forest album adds a cool, engaging animated-video component! How did you find the right partners to give it a visual dimension?

Genevieve LeDoux: My husband knew some great artists, and I knew some amazing illustrators and animators from being in the kids’ space for many years. I called on some unsung heroes as well, and some really green newcomers who just needed that chance. Passion plus persistence and positivity built Star Forest.

Rockmommy: What are some of the ways kids are connecting with the characters? When I think back to my youth, I recall Jem & The Holograms and how much I identified with their daily challenges (and even their music!). They were a band for kids, but that show had a powerful impact on my life!

Genevieve LeDoux: It’s an amazing synchronicity you mentioned Jem & The Holograms — I loved it so much as a kid too — I actually cosplayed as Jem at last year’s Dragon Con!

We built the Star Forest characters around different learning styles — visual, auditory, tactile — so every child can find themselves represented. Each character has unique traits and personalities that resonate with different kids, and we’re just beginning to scratch the surface of their stories. We spent 3 years just on the lore.

Rockmommy: What message do you hope that your four animated / virtual band members, Twig, Fawn, Sleuth and Rocky, can impart to young listeners?

Genevieve LeDoux: “You can’t make a difference if you aren’t different” — that’s our band’s core message. We want kids to ignore those dark whispers of self-doubt, to believe their dreams matter, and to be themselves in a world full of copycats. And simple but powerful reminders to hug trees, touch grass, and stay curious.

Rockmommy: As a mom in a creative profession — writing and music, full time! — with two sons, I find it sometimes challenging to avoid burnout. Can you tell us about your workflow on the day-to-day basis? How do you preserve your energy (creative and otherwise)?

Genevieve LeDoux: We are living parallel lives! Some days are more challenging than others, but I’ve learned to focus on the rhythm — how one creative endeavor feeds another. When I remember that I’m not just pursuing a dream but showing my kids the importance of chasing one, it becomes fuel rather than drain. I’m not just talking about following your passion; I’m demonstrating it and give myself grace when I remember being a mother can be hard for all of us.

Rockmommy: How do you think music is therapy for Gen Z/Alpha kids and their families? 

Genevieve LeDoux: “We’re speaking to and crafting for both Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids, and one thing is crystal clear: in an increasingly noisy world, music becomes the antidote. It’s not just entertainment — it’s a form of peace, connection, and renewal. Watching a child’s brain being mapped while listening to good music is something to behold. So many endorphins!

Rockmommy: What is the hardest — and the most rewarding — part about being musician mom?

Genevieve LeDoux: The hardest part? Building an original IP — creating a universe with meaningful lore, original songs, games, and videos — is incredibly challenging. If it were easy, everyone would do it. But the reward comes in those magical moments when I hear my sons spontaneously singing our songs, not because mom made them, but because they want to. When I see just one child play a little longer under a tree, look under a rock, or try to touch the stars — that’s success.

This blog is part of Rockmommy’s Sponsored Artists series, curated by Marisa Torrieri Bloom, the editor and founder of Rockmommy.