He has all these ideations about how he, you know, all these terrible things that he wants to do to you and, you know, and ultimately would like to see you die. So you're in real danger.

I'm Jamie Beebe. And I'm Jake Deptula. On today's episode of Strictly stalking, we're speaking with singer-songwriter Coles Whalen, a woman whose life was turned upside down by a relentless stalker she had never met.

For more than six years, Coles was targeted by a man who hid behind anonymous accounts, sending

thousands of messages. He fixated on her music, her personal life, and even her family,

twisting his delusions into threats that grew darker and more disturbing over time.

The emotional toll was enormous.

Cole changed her routines, canceled shows, live with fear, and watched as the harassment

spread from digital spaces into her real world.

She eventually became the center of a landmark legal battle that challenged how the justice

system defines stalking in the digital age. Coles,

thank you so much for joining us today. Thanks for having me, you guys. Of course. What inspired

you to become an artist when you're growing up? Was music something that was part of your household,

part of your upbringing? I've been performing since I was very young. I started with a professional

performing group when I was seven. And so I've been singing and dancing all my life. I started writing my own songs in high school. And when I left Colorado for college, I went to Los Angeles where the music scene was popping. And that's when I started writing my own songs and producing my own records. So I've been doing it a long time.

When you ended up moving to Los Angeles, what was that experience like for you?

I loved Los Angeles.

I was in college there for music.

I joined the Thornton School of Jazz, the Institute that's rotating.

And at that time, it was at USC University of Southern California.

So I was a vocal

performance major there. I made some incredible friends, wonderful musicians that are still in my

life today. And it was a great place to sort of germinate music. And we all had, you know,

...