They were like, Why, bro?
Your song was so huge.
I was like, You guys dont realize its not about if a song is huge.
Paris Mumpower/Sun-ny Side Up*
Theres so many submissions, and dance music was huge this year.
Literally within one second, my fucking name is the first one on the screen, she says.
And dude, I jumped up so crazy.
It was genuine shock.
You didnt even have to sweat the bet.
My boyfriend woke up and thought that we were in a nuclear war.
Thats how loud I was screaming.
Howd it go?It was crazy.
So if you miss your interview by two minutes, it fucks up everyones schedule.
So its stressful just coordinating you and 10 other artists, but it was so fun.
It was such a cool experience.
Was that your first time performing at Madison Square Garden?It was.
But it will not be my last.
What was that like?It was surreal.
I selfishly have always dreamed of headlining a show there.
But it was insane just to be in that room and to be on that stage.
I couldnt even sing through my first song.
I wasnt really emotional until I got onstage and was looking out.
Im a bit of a dramatic singer.
I started crying and I couldnt even finish the song because I was so emotional.
It was such a dream come true.
Theres nothing like the Garden.
Also, itsMadisonSquare Garden, so obviously its always felt destined for me to play it.
Do you remember the first show you saw there?Oh my god.
I couldnt tell you 100 percent what it was, but let me think.
I mean, I was super young when Justin performed there [around 2012].
That was the first time I had ever been backstage, anywhere.
I was just like, What is going on and why am I here?
You still sound very shocked.The night before, my team was like, Its going to happen, girl.
I was like, No, stop.
Genuinely, everyone shut up.
Because Im just realistic.
I was like, Girl, thats not what Im doing.
Im just being real.
Lets just call a spade a spade.
It wasnt a Number One album or anything.
It didnt even go onBillboardat all.
So when that happened, it was obviously insane.
So it was different.
And yes, my song did super well, but theres other songs that did way better.
And theres also 20,000 submissions for the Grammys.
I just was like, I dont think its going to happen this year.
Its not something that Im ever expecting.
So I went to bed that night, and of course couldnt sleep.
At one in the morning I wrote a journal entry.
Its actually really cute.
Because there was a point in time where that was never even remotely a possibility.
So it was a cute little journal entry.
So then when I went back to the TV and saw, I was like, Holy shit.
I dont even know what to say about it, because it feels fake.
Do you feel a sense of competition at all?No.
Its not really about taking it home.
Also, every song thats nominated, Ive streamed endlessly this year.
So its all amazing either way.
Make You Mine is such a feel-good dance track.
How did you approach it?It was made for my tour.
Because my album was full of ballads.
Shot myself in the foot there.
I want people to have fun at my show, to be able to dance.
And he was like, Yeah, of course.
So we literally went in on a random Tuesday in October [2023] and made Make You Mine.
And the second we made it, I was like, Wait, this is so fire.
It was all just for the tour.
And then it went crazy, but it was so casual, the way it was made.
Making the song and promoting it was literally just like, Oh, heres a song Im releasing.
If they like it, they like it.
I didnt even release themusic videountil months and months later after the song had already been successful.
That was a really valuable thing for me to learn: People just want to fuck with the music.
It was such an easy song, and Im not like that either.
It wasnt even the timing.
I was like, Yeah, its just for the fans.
So for that to be the one that clicked was just really cool.
When will you release those other songs?
I was going to do an EP a year ago.
Im in the studio every single day.
So I want to showcase all the different influences and things that I listen to.
And I just have always been someone that doesnt want to box myself into one thing.
I dont want to be someone that people can even expect what the next thing is.
I really enjoy just putting out whatever Im fucking with, honestly.
Do you know ifMegan Foxhas seen the Make You Mine video?
Its an excellent homage toJennifers Body.Dude, I dont know.
Ive literally never spoken to her.
Theyre like, kindly, we need to see you do somethingJennifers Body.
And it was so fun.
She has blue eyes.
I appreciate it, but I dont even look like her.
But yeah, Im honored and I hope that if shes seen it, shes loved it.
Why do you think that people are so drawn to this cult film?
It was released so long ago, but younger generations love it.Because shes so hot.
Shes so hot, and also because it has Amanda Seyfried.
I think its just an iconic movie and people just feel a connection to it.
I also think its very aesthetic, and people love an aesthetic movie.
It was an amazing year for pop.
What are the albums you loved the most?Oh, girl.
[Charli XCXs]Brat, obviously.
The girls are girling, and I just love it.
Im probably also not thinking of so many others.
Im so happy for these women.
Thats been really cool for me to see.
How people are just like, Yeah, I want to see other girls win.
Its not like if I do good, that means another girl cant.
Chappell Roanwas also a really vital voice this year, especially in protecting your mental health.I love Chappell.
In general, I love to see women be outspoken and just say their fucking takes.
And I fucking hated that, always.
I was just like, Ew, thats not who I am.
I want to be myself.
I also dont want people to be a fan of mine if Im being inauthentic.
I want people to love me because Im being me, and thats it.
You just posted an Instagram story of theBeach Boys The Warmth of the Sun, and youvesampled the Turtles.
But Im trying to change that.
You know how you have your comfort movie that is the movie youve been watching your whole life?
I lovethe Beach Boys.
I love the Beatles.
I love the Zombies so much.
A lot of stuff that just resonates with me.
Well, what the fuck is a hit?
I want to just make music that feels authentic, and like me.
