Pop star Charli XCX has opened up about her unconventional teenage years, revealing how her parents used to drive her to perform at raves when she was just 15 years old.
The British singer, now 32, shared the story during her recent hosting debut on Saturday Night Live (SNL).
She recounted how she managed to convince her parents by claiming she had “swim practice… at 2:00 A.M.”
Charli, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison, has come a long way since those early rave days.
Her sixth studio album, Brat, released in June, sparked a cultural phenomenon, with its unapologetically bold themes inspiring millions of social media posts, dance trends, and even political campaigns.
US presidential candidate Kamala Harris adopted a “brat” aesthetic on her social media, demonstrating the album’s widespread influence.
On SNL, Charli explained the essence of the “brat” lifestyle that has captivated so many.
“Brat is an attitude; it’s a vibe,” she said, describing it as a mix of honesty, boldness, and chaos.
To illustrate, she humorously referenced a moment when Martha Stewart mistakenly claimed a journalist was dead, calling Stewart’s reaction “brat.”
When the journalist corrected her, Charli declared the response “extremely brat.”
Charli also poked fun at herself, jokingly calling herself a “triple threat” in England, which she defined as someone who can “sing, drink, and smoke.”
She added that the “brat” aesthetic represents a rejection of polished ideals, such as the “clean girl” trend, and celebrates imperfection, vulnerability, and defiance.
The singer’s brat-inspired cultural wave has extended to TikTok, where fans have embraced the style as a rebellion against conventional norms.
Charli previously described a brat as someone who “has a breakdown but parties through it,” embodying a raw and unfiltered authenticity.
The cultural significance of “brat” was cemented when Collins Dictionary named it Word of the Year, defining it as someone with a “confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.”
Reflecting on her journey, Charli expressed gratitude for her growing influence and her ability to inspire fans worldwide.
“Keeping it real is very brat,” she said, adding, “This is a dream come true.”
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