Charli XCX Details the Good, Bad, and 'Fantasy' of Being a Pop Star

Charli XCX Puts a Spin on Pop Stardom in Raw and Unfiltered Substack.

As she delves into the uncharted territories of being an artist, Charli takes us on a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, revealing what it's truly like to be a pop star. The enigmatic singer-songwriter begins by acknowledging that the label can be both liberating and suffocating at the same time.

For Charli, there is no one-size-fits-all answer as she describes herself as a "creative" rather than an artist. However, for this essay, she sticks to the specifics of being a pop star – a role in her life that's simultaneously exciting yet utterly ridiculous.

Charli isn't afraid to flaunt the perks of fame, from free merchandise and VIP access to performing in front of adoring fans. But beneath the glamour lies an unflinching critique of the industry's expectations and the crushing pressure to maintain a façade at all times.

In a particularly poignant moment, Charli confesses that while her fans' dedication can be humbling, it also forces her to confront the harsh realities of her chosen profession.

A glimpse into the grueling touring schedule is likened to feeling like "a commodity inhabiting strange and soulless liminal spaces." Traveling from one gig to another leaves her reeling from a mix of fatigue and isolation.

When asked if she's changed over time, Charli reflects on how her experiences have shaped her views on fame and identity. According to Yung Lean, an old friend, Charli is still the same person she was years ago – yet surrounded by the "yes people" who constantly feed her ego.

In a refreshing twist, Charli admits that she finds her favorite artists more fascinating for their flaws than their virtues. When it comes down to it, she wants her art to be authentic, daring, and above all, entertaining.

Charli concludes her essay with an unflinching acceptance of the performance art and the blurred lines between truth and fiction in her creative process.
 
idk why ppl need to sugarcoat everything when being a pop star sounds like some wild ride lol. think about it - u get to perform for millions, meet new people every day, but also have to deal with constant scrutiny & pressure to maintain this perfect image 24/7 🤯 it's like living in a fishbowl. charli's essay is super relatable tbh
 
I think what really stood out for me was how honest Charli is about the double-edged sword that comes with being a pop star 🤯. On one hand, you've got all these amazing perks like free merch and VIP access – it's like living the dream, right? But on the other hand, she talks about feeling like a commodity in those tour buses, just going through the motions because that's what's expected of her. It's like, we know that fame isn't all rainbows and unicorns, but to see someone as open as Charli sharing their struggles is really refreshing 💁‍♀️.

And I love how she emphasizes the importance of finding authenticity in art – it's so easy to get caught up in trying to please everyone else when what you're truly passionate about is just being true to yourself 🎨. It's like, we can all relate to that feeling of wanting our work or creative expression to be more than just a product, but also something that comes from a real place within us 💕.
 
🤯 I'm loving this new direction Charli XCX is taking with her Substack! She's being super raw and honest about what it's like to be a pop star - I mean, who hasn't felt suffocated by the industry at some point? 🙅‍♀️ I love how she's not afraid to flaunt the perks of fame, but also hits you with the harsh realities. Touring schedules are NOT easy, fam! 😴 And can we talk about how refreshing it is that she wants her art to be authentic and entertaining over all the pretentious stuff? 💁‍♀️ Charli's been doing this for years, but I'm seeing a whole new side of her - one that's still super interesting, though! 👀
 
idk how many pop stars can relate to being a commodity 🤑 charlie xcx is just speaking truth about the industry's expectations and the pressure to maintain this perfect image. it's like, i get it fame has its perks but at what cost? she's not afraid to share her struggles with touring and feeling like you're living in these soulless spaces 🚫✈️
 
idk why ppl still put so much pressure on artists 2 maintain a "brand" 🤷‍♀️ Charli XCX is literally putting herself out there, sharing her true thoughts & feelings about the industry 📝 and it's SO refreshing!

anywayz 🤑 u can tell she's got a solid team behind her tho - free merch + vip access sounds like a dream come true 😍 but omg the touring schedule sounds SO exhausting 😴 12 hour gigs, constant travel... that's NO joke 💥

anyway back 2 Charli 👀 i love how she's all about authenticity & flaws in art 🎨 she's like "I'm not perfect, I make mistakes" and honestly, who is? 🤷‍♀️ it's soooo liberating to see someone do that.

also omg did u know the pop star industry makes ppl work avg 3-4 gigs/month?! 💥 that's like, non-stop touring & performances 🎸 what a grueling lifestyle 🚫
 
I love how Charli XCX is speaking her mind about the pop star life 🤩. I mean, who hasn't felt suffocated by expectations and pressure to be perfect? It's like she's saying, being famous isn't all glamour and glitz, it's also super draining 💨. And you know what? I think that's why so many artists struggle with mental health issues... the constant need for validation can be overwhelming 😔. But at the same time, it's great to see her embracing her flaws and imperfections - that's where the real magic happens, right? 🎨
 
I'm loving this new direction Charli XCX is taking! It's like she's ripping off the mask and showing us what it's really like to be a pop star. I mean, don't get me wrong, being famous isn't all bad - those free merch perks aren't nothing lol 🛍️. But seriously, it's crazy how much pressure there is to put on this perfect image all the time. I feel like we're living in an era where everyone's a performer, even when they're not, you know? Like, are we really just living our best lives or are we just curating this highlight reel for the world to see?

And what I love most about Charli's essay is how honest she is about her own flaws and imperfections. Like, who doesn't want their art to be authentic and daring? 🎨 It's refreshing to see someone in a position of power being so self-aware and not afraid to speak truth to power.

But what really got me was when she talked about the grueling touring schedule and how it leaves her feeling like just a commodity. I mean, we've all been there at some point or another - that sense of disconnection from ourselves and our lives. It's like, yeah, fame might be exciting but it can also be soul-sucking if you're not careful.

Anyway, I'm loving Charli's new direction and I think she's onto something with this essay. Let's get more authentic content, less curated perfection 🤗
 
I'm loving Charli XCX's raw and honest take on being a pop star 🤩! It's like she's giving us the real deal, no sugarcoating here 💯. I mean, who hasn't felt suffocated by fame at some point? But what really resonates with me is how she's unafraid to critique the industry and its expectations. It's like, we need more artists speaking truth to power 🗣️. And can we talk about her favorite artists being flawed but fascinating? I'm all for authenticity in art, no matter how uncomfortable it may be 😂. Charli's essay is like a breath of fresh air – raw, real, and unfiltered 💨.
 
🤔 so like i was reading this article about charli xcx and it's really cool how she's speaking honestly about being a pop star... she's all like "it's not all rainbows and unicorns" and stuff 🌈💔 but at the same time, she seems super passionate about creating music that's true to herself. i love how she says her fans' dedication is humbling, but also kinda scary 😳 because it means there's a lot of pressure to keep up appearances. anyway, what do you guys think? 🤗 should artists prioritize being authentic or putting on a show for the sake of fame? 💖
 
idk how much more of this "pop star" drama i can take 🤯 charlie xcx is literally giving me a behind-the-scenes look at what it's really like to be on top, and honestly, it's kinda underwhelming 😒 all that glamour and fame, but also just so much pressure to maintain this perfect image? no thanks. also, i love how she says her favorite artists are more fascinating for their flaws than their virtues 🙌 someone who can appreciate a messy creative process is definitely my jam 💖
 
I think its so cool that Charli XCX is being super real about what it's like to be a pop star. I mean, we all know it can't be easy, but to hear someone admit to feeling like a "commodity" on tour? That takes a lot of courage 🤯. And honestly, I love how she's not afraid to speak her mind and call out the industry for putting too much pressure on artists to maintain this perfect image. At the same time, its awesome that she still believes in being true to herself and creating art that's authentic and entertaining 💖.
 
I gotta say, I love how Charli XCX is finally having a raw and real conversation about what it's like to be a pop star 🤯💁‍♀️. She's not afraid to get into all the messy details - from the good stuff (VIP access and free merch) to the bad stuff (the pressure to maintain this perfect image and dealing with exhaustion on tour). It's refreshing to see her acknowledge that fame isn't all it's cracked up to be, but still try to make art that's real and authentic 🎨💫. I'm also loving how she's not afraid to talk about the flaws in her favorite artists - I mean, who doesn't love a good critique 😏. Overall, this essay is giving me all the feels and I need more of it!
 
OMG you guys 🤯 Charli XCX is being SO real about what it's like to be a pop star! I mean I can totally relate to feeling like a commodity, especially when it comes to social media 📸 it's like we're all just trying to keep up this perfect facade. But honestly it's so refreshing that she's not afraid to speak her truth and acknowledge the highs and lows of fame 💁‍♀️. I love how she says she wants her art to be authentic and daring, because let's be real that's what makes life worth living 🎨💖
 
Omg yaaas Charli XCX is like the real MVP 🤩🎉! I love how she's not afraid to spill all the tea about the pop star life - from the highs (VIP access and free merch) to the lows (touring schedule that feels like a zombie apocalypse 😴). I'm living for her honesty about the industry expectations and the pressure to maintain that perfect facade. Like, who else can say they're still figuring out what it means to be an artist at 30? 🤯 She's all about keeping it real and authentic, and I am HERE. FOR. IT 💖
 
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