When Rebecca Black first entered the highlight as a youngster, her explosive rise to viral fame got here with an amazing wave of consideration—each optimistic and detrimental. Over a decade later, she has reworked that early expertise right into a platform for reinvention, proving she’s way more than a fleeting on-line sensation.
Now, she stands as an artist who has taken management of her personal narrative. With the discharge of her newest single “TRUST!” and a efficiency at San Francisco’s Portola Competition, she’s stepping boldly into a brand new chapter.
We caught up with Black backstage to debate her inventive evolution, her love of DJing and the way she’s turning previous challenges into gas for her future.
From pop star to DJ: a multifaceted expertise
Whereas Black is well-known as a singer and performer, she’s additionally been exploring DJing. Her latest Boiler Room debut confirmed that she will command consideration on a number of platforms, regardless of its incendiary impact on social media.
When requested how she differentiates between these two personas, Black says, “As a performer, everything is planned, rehearsed. There’s a story, a character, and I know exactly what I’m doing from start to finish.”
DJing, nevertheless, presents a refreshing change of tempo.
“With DJing, I get to be flexible,” she explains. “I started six years ago at a friend’s house because I loved reading a room, figuring out what works, and making it the best night for everyone there.”
For Black, DJing is about creating an setting the place spontaneity reigns.
“I might walk in with an idea of what I want to do, but the set always changes depending on the crowd,” she explains. “It’s less about the performance and more about riding the energy of the room.”
Embracing vulnerability in “TRUST!”
The discharge of “TRUST!” marks a big turning level in her profession, showcasing not solely her development as a vocalist, but in addition her fearlessness in addressing vulnerability. For Black, releasing the monitor has been about extra than simply including one other hit to her repertoire—it is a type of private launch.
“I wrote [“TRUST!”] over a year ago,” she says, her pleasure palpable. “From the moment we wrote it, everyone felt it was something special.”
“It feels like I’ve been carrying this huge weight,” she provides. “The further you get from your last project, the more you feel like you’re in this identity limbo.”
Black has discovered a approach to channel that uncertainty into confidence, utilizing her music as a automobile for self-expression and exploration. Her creative evolution because the notorious “Friday” is evident, along with her latest work drawing closely from development, resilience and a profound appreciation of dance music.
The camp and glam of “TRUST!”
Half of what makes “TRUST!” such a standout is its official music video, which takes place in a courtroom—a symbolic setting that mirrors Black’s personal journey within the public eye.
“When I met with Olivia, the director, she brought up the idea of me being put on trial for going viral with ‘Friday,'” Black reveals with a smile. “It was funny and so in line with the character I created for ‘TRUST!’.”
Filmed on a set that resembles an genuine California courthouse, the video is steeped in campy glamour and satire, a signature Black strategy that blends humor with depth.
“I always loved the idea of glamorous girls in ugly, unglamorous settings,” she explains, citing her references for the visuals—continuously on trial by the court docket of public opinion.
The thought of being on trial is deeply resonant for Black. She candidly discusses how her life has felt underneath fixed scrutiny since “Friday” went viral.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever known what it’s like to not be on trial,” she admits. “However taking that and turning it into one thing enjoyable, into one thing that offers me energy, was actually cathartic.”
Looking ahead to a new chapter
At 27, Black has already lived many lifetimes in the public eye. Born and raised in Irvine, California, she was thrust into the limelight at the age of 13 when her debut single “Friday” exploded on the internet.
Though it was met with mixed reactions—ranging from viral fame to brutal criticism—Black has emerged on the other side stronger, more self-assured and artistically liberated.
Her latest album, Let Her Burn, released in February 2023, is a testament to that perseverance. The project represents Black’s full embrace of her identity as both a queer artist and a pop icon.
“This album is probably the most ‘me’ factor I’ve ever made,” she gushes.
As Black continues to push boundaries each musical and private, one factor is evident: she’s removed from the one-hit marvel many initially pegged her to be. As an alternative, she’s diligently crafting a legacy constructed on resilience and authenticity, proving that the trials of public opinion may be reworked into one thing highly effective, glamorous and, above all, enjoyable.
“I’ve learned that taking myself the least seriously is sometimes the key to being taken seriously,” Black says with a giggle. “And I’m okay with that.”
Comply with Rebecca Black:
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