Joely Engelbert’s “Until She Smiles” Is a Heart-Wrenching Pop Ballad of Resilience and Hope

At just 18, Joely Engelbert has already proven she’s more than a rising pop talent. She’s an artist with depth, conviction, and a voice that feels destined to matter. Her new single, “Until She Smiles,” written for the film What Tomorrow Brings (directed by her father, Matt Engelbert), is both a cinematic finale and a powerful standalone track, carrying enough emotional weight to move even the most unshakable listener.

Where her earlier singles (released under the name Jojo Engelbert) leaned into youthful angst and punchy pop charm, “Until She Smiles” introduces a more vulnerable, mature side of Joely. It’s a song of reclamation, an anthem born from brokenness, sung through the lens of Clara, her character in the film. Having endured trauma and unrelenting struggle, Clara’s journey culminates in this stripped-back performance, where every lyric feels like a lifeline pulled from the depths of survival.

The production keeps things refreshingly minimal, letting Joely’s voice shoulder the emotional core of the song. Her delivery is raw and unguarded, soaring at moments when pain gives way to hope, softening when the weight of memory presses back down. The lyrics don’t overcomplicate. They don’t need to. They mirror the very essence of resilience: simple truths, sung honestly, with no filter.

The accompanying music video (taken directly from the film’s climactic scenes) underscores this sincerity. As Clara reflects on her darkest hours, intercut with flashbacks of her bond with Ruby (played by Joely’s real-life sister, Phoebe Engelbert), the narrative unfolds with aching tenderness. These visuals aren’t just cinematic flourishes; they reinforce the song’s central heartbeat: that love, connection, and perseverance can carry someone through the worst storms.

What makes “Until She Smiles” so impactful is that it straddles two worlds seamlessly. It is both a piece of a greater story in What Tomorrow Brings and a deeply personal ballad that listeners can connect to outside the film. Its themes of trauma, survival, and healing transcend the screen, striking chords in anyone who’s ever had to claw their way toward the light.

With “Until She Smiles,” Joely Engelbert officially steps into her own as a pop artist unafraid to get real. It’s a haunting yet hopeful song that positions her as not just “born in the spotlight,” but fully capable of commanding it.

Joely, how did stepping into the role of Clara influence the way you approached writing and performing "Until She Smiles"?

My sister, Zoey Engelbert, wrote the song. The director of the film required the song to be moving, emotional, and cathartic. As for performing the song, I performed it as Clara. Of course, when you are acting, the character is very much a part of who you are. It comes from within you. I lived with the role during the scriptwriting process and through eight months of filming. It took an emotional toll, and I think that was reflected in the song's performance. I think it was reflected, not only visually, but also vocally.

The lyrics feel like a reflection of both Clara's and your own journey. How much of yourself do you see in this song?

That's an interesting question, and I'm not sure I had looked at it that way. Of course, the music video, which is the last scene of the movie, shows those moments between Clara and her younger sister, Ruby. My younger sister (Phoebe Engelbert) played the role of Ruby. So every scene seemed real to both of us. We are, in real life, very close. As Clara would do anything for Ruby, I would do anything for Phoebe.

What was it like collaborating with your family on a project that touches on such heavy, emotional themes?

My dad is a brilliant writer, director, and producer. He had this very powerful story. He knew that Phoebe and I could handle the very dark subject matter. It involves the impact of suicide on a child. It explores those unbreakable bonds between sisters. Phoebe and I loved working with him. It was also great to have our older three siblings so much a part of the process.

You may know that Ariel, Zoey, and Eli had two nationally syndicated television shows. They understand what it's like to be in front of a camera. They also know what's involved behind the camera. Ariel was my dad's assistant, and she also had a role in the film. Zoey is a licensed cosmetologist, and she was responsible for hair and makeup. She wrote Until She Smiles, and she also played a role in the movie.

Eli was responsible for the sound and the soundtrack. He worked so closely with my dad on every scene. I'm not sure we would have been able to make the movie without each member of the family participating. My mom actually voiced the role of Dr. McAdams, and she did so much behind the scenes, from making meals to sewing outfits.

The track leans into simplicity. Was that a conscious choice to mirror Clara's raw state of mind?

This song is about the lyrics more than anything else. Zoey tells us a story that perfectly captures what Clara was feeling, looking back on her journey. The music was just right. It complemented the lyric and my vocals.

As you transition from "Jojo Engelbert" to embracing your full name and identity, how does this song symbolize your evolution as an artist?

Professionally, I never liked being called Jojo. I like my name. I don't mind when my friends and family call me Jojo; that's just a nickname. I was pushed into using Jojo early on by an agent and always looked forward to parting ways. As for symbolism, I suppose it is just me emerging as both someone who is no longer a child and as a singer and actor on my own terms.