Charli XCX recently expressed her surprise at the massive viral reaction to her playful social media post about Vice President Kamala Harris. In an in-depth cover story with New York magazine released on August 26, the 32-year-old pop star discussed her “Kamala IS Brat” post, which garnered widespread attention and sparked significant buzz online.
The post, which Charli shared on X (formerly Twitter), was intended as a lighthearted nod to her latest album, titled brat. Charli XCX explained that she never anticipated the post would gain such traction or be interpreted as a political statement. “My music is not political,” Charli emphasized, clarifying that her intention was to keep things positive and fun rather than make a political endorsement.
Charli reflected on the unexpected viral impact, saying, “Did I think me talking about being a messy bitch and needing a Bic lighter and a pack of Marlboro Lights would end up on CNN? No.” She added that while she was aware of the potential for the post to attract attention, she didn’t foresee it becoming a major news topic.
In her interview, Charli XCX also touched on her broader beliefs, underscoring her commitment to democratic values and women’s rights. “To be on the right side of democracy, the right side of women’s rights is hugely important to me,” she said. “I’m happy to help to prevent democracy from failing forever.” However, she was quick to clarify that her personal and artistic endeavors are separate from her political views, stating, “I’m not Bob Dylan, and I’ve never pretended to be. My music is not political. Everything I do in my life feeds back into my art. Politics doesn’t feed my art.”
The post in question was made shortly after President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Charli’s tweet, which read “kamala IS brat,” was a playful homage to her album and coincided with Harris’ official campaign account updating its banner to reflect the neon green theme of Charli’s album, reading “kamala hq” in lowercase lettering.
Despite the playful nature of her post, the attention it received highlights the intersection of celebrity culture and politics, even when the intent is merely to connect with fans through creative expression. Charli XCX remains focused on her music and artistic vision, reaffirming that her public persona and political engagement are distinct and that her work is driven by artistic rather than political motivations.
