Happy Birthday Charli XCX: Exploring Her Road To Brat Girl Summer Success As Singer Turns 32

Charli XCX and Lorde: From fashion faux pas to friendly feuds

In 2013, when Lorde initially unveiled her hit single “Royals,” it swiftly soared to fame and reached the top of Billboard’s chart. Simultaneously, another English artist teamed up with Icona Pop on “I Love It,” a track that also garnered widespread acclaim. Though they both tasted success, their similar hairstyles, clothing choices (including stage outfits), often led people to perceive them as twins. At times, even during TV interviews, they were mistaken for one another.

Instead of engaging in an open feud like Drake and Kendrick Lamar, Charli and Lorde’s supposed “beef” was more subtle. By 2024, at ages 26 (Lorde) and 28 (Ellie Goulding), it appears that they have moved past their past issues, as evidenced by their collaboration on a remix of “Girl, So Confusing,” which many fans interpret as a song about Lorde.

As a long-time fan of both Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, I can attest that their reconciliation ranks among the most intriguing moments in pop culture history for me. Having followed their careers since their rise to fame, I was deeply invested in the feud between these two talented artists, and their eventual reconciliation was a truly heartwarming spectacle.

Let’s delve deeper into the impressive journey of Charli XCX, who’s been slaying it with her seventh studio album and shaping trends on TikTok. We’ll explore her music career, wealth, and other fascinating facts.

How Charli’s childhood dreams turned into chart-topping hits

Born in Cambridge, UK, Charli XCX (whose real name is Charlotte Aitken) has always dreamed about being a pop star since her childhood. She was particularly fond of the Spice Girls and admired their innovative approach to pop music and group dynamics. Furthermore, Britney Spears played a significant role in shaping her musical journey, with Charli admiring her courage and chart-topping songs.

These legendary figures laid the groundwork for Charli XCX to make a bold mark in the music industry with her provocative and daring career moves. Her breakthrough single “I Love It” (featuring Icona Pop) and “Boom Clap,” both released in 2014, catapulted her into the spotlight of the pop world, further solidifying her path.

From raves to charts: Charli XCX’s journey from grime to Pop

The journey of Charli XCX from becoming recognized as a grime artist to her transition into pop stardom is just as captivating as the songs she produces. At the tender age of 14, Muse (Charli XCX’s earlier stage name) embarked on her career by posting her tracks on Myspace, instantly piquing the interest of London’s underground music community. She performed at underground rave parties and was signed to Asylum Records in 2010. Her current music reflects her past, her experimental youth, and the newfound acclaim she has garnered.

As a devoted adherent, I myself have shared my personal journey with The Guardian, delving into the complexities of my dual identity – being rooted in India and England. This unique blend has undeniably shaped my thoughts, choices, and creative endeavors.

Charli’s songwriting talents extend beyond her own collection of songs. She has penned tracks for artists such as Selena Gomez (Same Old Love), Camila Cabello, and Shawn Mendes (Señorita). Notably, her collaboration with Iggy Azalea on Fancy was a massive hit that catapulted both artists into greater fame, earning Charli her first Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

Over the past few years, Charli has dabbled in a wide variety of themes and musical styles. Most notably, an emotion-focused theme emerged on her third album titled “Charli,” where she expressed feelings she had been experiencing. However, with her most recent release, known as “Brat,” she takes it up a notch and essentially embodies the role of the Brat girl during summertime.

All about the Brat girl summer trend

Charli XCX’s recent impact on culture is the Brat girl summer style, popularized by her album Brat with its distinctive green cover art. The songs from the album, such as 360 and Club classics, not only topped music charts but also set fashion trends for the summer. The bold, deep green color used in the album’s artwork has sparked a new trend in fashion called “brat green,” which deviates from typical pop culture styles. Charli intentionally chose this unconventional color to pique people’s interest and emphasize the embrace of uniqueness.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but get swept up in the infectious spirit of #BratGirlSummer! The creative antics people are sharing on TikTok are nothing short of astonishing. From daring acts like sleeping with makeup on to impromptu TikTok recordings, random tattoo sessions, and even donning sunglasses after dark or indoors – it’s a wild ride that I just can’t get enough of!

Charli’s style impact is reflected not just in her clothing choices but also in her music videos. To illustrate, the 360 video features models like Julia Fox, Gabbriette Bechtel, and Chloë Sevigny donning bold, revealing outfits that have further popularized this trend.

The song “Brat” has achieved commercial success, reaching the third spot on the US Billboard 200 and performing well in the UK. Despite predictions that Charli XCX would rule the UK charts with this album, Taylor Swift’s new release overshadowed her, causing fans to ponder whether this could impact Charli XCX’s chart position.

Chart wars & drama: Charli XCX’s Brat vs. Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets, music feud unfolds

The contrast between Charli XCX’s gloomy album Brat and Taylor Swift’s tormented lyrics from The Tortured Poets Department offers an intriguing insight into the modern music industry. Released on April 19, 2024, Swift’s album is currently dominating the Billboard charts and outperforming all other contenders, including Billie Eilish. Some observers view Swift’s strategy of producing multiple versions of her album as an attempt to maintain a presence on the charts.

Nevertheless, upon its release, the album “Brat” by Charli XCX attracted similar reactions. However, the focus on the UK charts was diverted towards Taylor Swift instead. Some fans speculated that Taylor Swift intentionally released a digital version of The Tortured Poets Department in the UK only during the same week to prevent Charli XCX’s album “Brat” from reaching No. 1 in the UK charts.

The tension between individuals has increased due to rumors suggesting that Charli may have lyrics in her song Sympathy from Brat that are directed at Swift, such as “I don’t want to see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show” and “It is among the most repeated lines of teenage drama within our audience.” Some listeners interpret lines like “And if, by chance, we find a lover in another man, then I will know her name when your name is producers like Midas” or “I hope they break up quick” as references to Charli’s brief relationship with Matty Healy.

Despite fans’ desire for drama, Charli XCX has been striving to avoid conflicts with her peers. At a recent concert in Sao Paulo, it was reported that she quieted the crowd, shouting, “Taylor is gone!”. This behavior from Charli appears to be an effort to sidestep any potential rivalry, particularly as she had been part of the opening act for Taylor Swift’s Reputation tour.

As a lifelong music enthusiast, I’ve witnessed firsthand the intense competition and conflicts that define the music industry. From my years spent performing in various bands to my current role as a music journalist, I’ve seen the public and private struggles that artists face on their journey to success. The juxtaposition of these elements is a crucial aspect of the industry, revealing the complex dynamics at play within it.

From Brat Queen to $10M diva: Charli XCX’s net worth

Charli XCX’s current estimated net worth, around $10 million (as of 2024), primarily stems from her successful music career. Her earnings stem mainly from album sales and live performances. Given the success of her recent album, Brat, it seems probable that her wealth will further grow in 2024.

As a devoted follower, I’d like to highlight that Charli isn’t confined to the realm of music alone. She’s also dived deep into the world of film and television. Specifically, she lent her voice to Major Lazer, where I recognized her as Lady Vanessa Rothchild, and for The Angry Birds movie, where she brought Willow to life on screen.

Furthermore, she made an appearance in the Gossip Girl reboot on HBO Max, but the exact amount she received isn’t known. Also, she produced a documentary titled “Charli XCX: Alone Together,” detailing her journey of creating music amidst the pandemic.