Charli XCX: Why Not Wanting to Be a Role Model Makes Her a Great One

I’ve developed a new obsession.

Before you dismiss me as another melodramatic millennial who exaggerates everything, let me assure you that I don’t use the word lightly. Yes, it might seem like everyone online is perpetually obsessed with something. But this is different. Trust me.

Of course, as anyone who has been on the internet in the last week or so will know, I’m talking about Charli XCX. I believe that she is the unlikely role model young women have been waiting for. Please bear with me on this one.

By now, you are probably familiar with the term “Brat Summer,” a viral movement sparked by the musician’s sixth studio album, Brat. It is, by all accounts, a party album, packed with undeniable hits like “360” and “Von Dutch” that make you want to dance all night.

It’s worth noting that the album doesn’t shy away from celebrating the idea of partying with drugs and alcohol – lyrics on “365” include “should we have a little line?” – so I understand why some might dismiss the idea of Charli as a role model. But bear with me a bit longer.

While Brat primarily seems to be about partying, a deeper dive into the lyrics and the lore surrounding Charli and her music reveals it to be a profoundly vulnerable piece of art. Charli examines the many struggles of the modern female experience – from internalized misogyny and body shaming to social anxiety and patriarchal pressures.

The “brat identity,” first introduced through a viral music video for “360” starring some of Charli’s famous friends (Gabbriette, Chloe Sevigny, and Rachel Sennott), fundamentally celebrates and interrogates girlhood in all its complexities.

This became even clearer when Charli released a remixed version of “Girl, so confusing” featuring Lorde, who the song was said to be about. The internet exploded as the two women sang to each other about their alleged feud. Lorde explained in her verse: “I was trapped in the hatred. And your life seemed so awesome. I never thought for a second. My voice was in your head.”

In many ways, it marked a musical first. Singing about other artists you’re rumored to be feuding with is nothing new. But inviting them to “work it out on the remix,” as Charli did, is revolutionary and sets a precedent for setting aside competition and championing a fellow woman in your industry. This doesn’t happen enough in music and struck a particular chord given the rumors surrounding Taylor Swift allegedly sabotaging Charli from reaching the number one spot on the album charts.

Charli’s dedication to uplifting other female artists was further solidified with the release of a remix of her track “Guess,” featuring Billie Eilish. Again, the internet went wild. The song and its accompanying video have been impossible to ignore, and for good reason. It’s a fantastic track.

Beyond supporting other women, Charli has also used her platform politically – something many musicians shy away from. Shortly after Joe Biden announced his endorsement of Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee in the US presidential election, Charli tweeted: “Kamala IS brat.” Harris’s team cleverly incorporated the already-iconic brat typography in its campaign imagery on Twitter/X.

So here we have a woman lifting up other women, celebrating female friendships, using her voice for positive societal and political progressions, and being authentically herself. Surely, that’s as good a role model as any?

“I don’t think she’s trying to be a role model,” said my equally Charli XCX-obsessed friend. “And I don’t think it’s agenda-driven, either. She’s just making cool music and being herself, which makes it quite refreshing.”

I couldn’t agree more – and while Charli herself might cringe at the thought of being called a role model, perhaps that’s part of what makes her one.

Source: BBC, The Guardian