Charli XCX Didn’t Expect Her ‘Kamala Is Brat’ Post to Go Viral

Charli XCX didn’t anticipate the reaction her political post would spark on social media.

In a recent cover story interview with New York magazine, released on August 26th, the 32-year-old pop star clarified that her music is not intended to be political. This follows a viral post where she commented, “kamala IS brat.” Charli explained that the reference was meant to be “something positive and lighthearted” rather than an endorsement of any particular candidate.

During the interview, Charli also elaborated on her beliefs. “To be on the right side of democracy, the right side of women’s rights, is hugely important to me,” she expressed. Adding, “I’m happy to help to prevent democracy from failing forever.”

Despite this, Charli made it clear that she never intended to appear as a political artist. “I obviously knew what I was doing,” she said about her viral “Kamala is Brat” post, though she did not expect it to attract so much attention. “Did I think me talking about being a messy bitch and, like, partying and needing a Bic lighter and a pack of Marlboro Lights would end up on CNN? No,” she remarked.

Furthermore, Charli stressed that she has never wanted or pretended to be a “political artist.” “I’m not Bob Dylan, and I’ve never pretended to be,” she asserted. “My music is not political. Everything I do in my life feeds back into my art. Everything I say, wear, think, enjoy — it all funnels back into my art. Politics doesn’t feed my art.”

Shortly after President Joe Biden exited the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, Charli XCX seemed to follow suit with her own form of endorsement. She took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote “kamala [sic] IS brat,” referring to her latest album titled “Brat,” released on June 7th.

Following her post, Kamala Harris’ official campaign account on X changed its banner to match the neon green style associated with “Brat.” The banner read “kamala hq” in lowercase black lettering against a lime green background.

Source: New York Magazine, Billboard