Hold onto your wigs and grab your dipping sauces – Arby’s just dropped the campiest National Fry Day promo we didn’t know we needed, and it stars none other than Rebecca Black, the internet’s original Friday queen and now a bona fide LGBTQ+ icon.
To celebrate National Fry Day – which falls on a Friday this year (the math is mathing!) – Arby’s is offering free large curly fries with a $5 purchase for Rewards members in the app, from Friday, July 11 through Saturday, July 13. But what really sent the gays spiraling into a deep-fried fever dream was the brand’s chaotic and hilarious ad campaign, featuring Black herself in a very meta moment of curly-fried confusion.
In the Instagram video that’s already making the rounds on GayTok and beyond, Rebecca walks onto the set thinking she’s there because of the “RB” connection – as in Rebecca Black and Arby’s. But when the off-camera producer tries to explain that it’s about National Fry Day, she looks genuinely (and iconically) bewildered. “Wait, so this Friday is different than other Fridays?” she asks, her voice dripping in early 2010s nostalgia and queer-coded camp.
Rebecca Black for Arby’s. Photo: Christian Soria
Rebecca Black, who came out as queer in 2020 and has since become a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in pop culture, leans hard into the silliness – and her fanbase is eating it up like hot curly fries with extra sauce.
“Omfg name a more iconic duo RB & @arbys IM DEAD!!”commented pop songwriter Bonnie McKee on Instagram, echoing what we’re all thinking: this collab is crispy, chaotic.
Rebecca Black for Arby’s. Photo: Christian Soria
The promo, which Arby’s shared on their official Instagram with the caption “Fry day on a Friday, kinda confusing I know,” has quickly gone viral for its blend of camp, nostalgia, and fast food fabulousness. The comments section is a glorious mess of rainbow emojis, “IT’S FRYYYYDAYYYY” GIFs, and people jokingly demanding a Rebecca Black x Arby’s remix.
Let’s be honest: pairing Rebecca Black’s legacy of misunderstood viral fame with National Fry Day is low-key genius. It’s like someone took a Tumblr meme from 2012, deep-fried it, and served it with extra gay seasoning.
And yes, the internet is already thirsting for more RB x Arby’s content. Imagine: Rebecca dramatically belting “It’s Fry-day, Fry-day, gotta dip fries on Fry-day” while voguing through a drive-thru. The possibilities are endless and deliciously chaotic.
So if you’re craving something extra this weekend 0 and let’s be real, you always are – open that Arby’s app and channel your inner Rebecca Black. Because whether it’s 2011 or 2025, we’re still obsessed with Fridays, and now we have curly fries to prove it.
As Outside Lands unveils its official 2025 lineup, one of the most anticipated highlights — Dolores’ — is back with a bold celebration of queer and trans nightlife culture. Located in Golden Gate Park’s famed Polo Field, this vibrant, open-air dance space is a festival within the festival: a joyful homage to Bay Area queer history and underground dance-party energy, curated by three local collectives across three transformative nights.
What is Dolores’?
Named in affectionate tribute to the city’s queer-rich past, Dolores’ is Outside Lands’ dedicated queer and trans dance space. After establishing itself as a luminous highlight at last year’s festival, Dolores’ returns for its second year. It brings together DIY drag, dance music, and community, spotlighting the energy and resilience of underground queer venues that long championed safe spaces for celebration and creative expression.
Outside Lands says that all are welcome, but its programming is deeply rooted in Bay Area LGBTQ+ joy, activism, and identity. Hosted across three evenings (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), Dolores’ is curated by three powerhouse local groups — FAKE and GAY, Oasis Arts, and Polyglamorous — each offering a unique take on queer nightlife and culture.
Why You Should Attend: Three Nights, Three Vibes
Friday, June 21: FAKE and GAY
The experience begins with FAKE and GAY, the party collective known for groundbreaking, pop-forward club bookings across the Bay. Expect a lineup packed with drag-led performances, electro-pop hits, and a rave-influenced stage presence that pulls from international drag, underground DJs, and local queer talent.
Friday’s lineup includes:
DJ Fcukers delivering throbbing club beats
Chase Icon, the electrifying pop queen, performing live
Drag sets from Memphy, Dangerous Rose, Beverly Chills, Mama San, and more
Hosted by Nicole Paige Brooks, famed for her work on RuPaul’s Drag Race
If you’ve ever craved the atmosphere of a neon-lit toast to queer pop culture, Friday delivers that and more.
On Saturday, Oasis Arts takes control. This nonprofit collective has shaped queer arts in SF for over a decade — a force behind creative development, mentorship, and cross-disciplinary queer expression. At Dolores’, they present performance art, drag, music, and DJ sets by LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists.
Saturday’s highlights include:
PRINCESS, solo artist with Tito Soto & Snaxx
REPARATIONS (Nicki Jizz), with Miss Toto
BALONEY & FRIENDS, featuring D’Arcy Drollinger and others
Music support from DJ Bella Spreads and DJ Subeaux
Additional sets and art performances yet to be announced
Oasis brings conceptual flair and a focus on creative continuity, drawing from roots of community building while projecting bold, contemporary expression.
Sunday, June 23: Polyglamorous
Closing out the weekend, Polyglamorous — the drag-party-slash-underground-event collective led by Benjamin Bellayuto and Mark O’Brien — delivers a night of pumping beats, drag glitz, and joyful mayhem.
Sunday’s star-studded lineup includes:
A DJ set by pop icon Rebecca Black
Performances from Father Figure, David Harness, Jen DM, Chelsea Starr, Mouthfeel, and more
A back-to-back headlining set from BEYA and Mark O’Brien
Drag performances by Vivvy and a host of undisclosed artists
Think sparkle, sequins, raw energy, IRL queer celebration — all in a space designed to dance until dawn.
Why It Matters
Rooted in Queer Culture — Dolores’ is more than a dance tent: it’s a living tribute to the DIY queer nightlife that flourished in Slack-area clubs, basement venues, and house parties across San Francisco. It brings that spirit back into Golden Gate Park at one of America’s biggest festivals.
Spotlight on Local Creatives — Each night features curators who’ve been critical to the Bay Area’s queer arts ecosystem. From Oasis Arts’ advocacy and mentorship to Polyglamorous’ legendary drag ragers and FAKE and GAY’s border-pushing roster, the programming honors, uplifts, and empowers the region’s LGBTQ+ talent.
Inclusive, Political, Joyful — In turbulent times when queer rights remain under threat, Dolores’ offers a political statement through revelry. It’s a space that affirms identity, creativity, and community — and reaffirms that visibility is resistance.
Accessibility Meets Artistry — Offered within the general access of Outside Lands (GA, GA+, VIP, Golden Gate Club passes), Dolores’ ensures fans can enjoy cutting-edge queer art, performance, and dance without breaking the bank — or needing to seek out after-parties outside festival grounds.
Extend the Pride with a Pre-Party Worth Queer Shout-Outs
Outside Lands doesn’t just keep Dolores’ contained to weekend nights. On Saturday, June 28, they host BAY AREA PRIDE AMPLIFIED, a pre-party at The Independent bar in SF. This event features:
DJ sets from local queer party stylists like Pillowprince, Medscool, DJ n0be, and more
Live sets from Emily Afton and Cardboard People
Drag performances by Aurris X Lilith, artists from The Gregangelo Museum, and other go-go dancers
It’s a perfect warm-up for Dolores’, serving to kick off Pride weekend proper and give those of us craving live local queer art a head start on the celebration.
Tickets and Logistics
Interested? Here’s the breakdown:
Dolores’ access is included in Outside Lands passes:
General Admission
GA+ (which includes priority viewing options)
Golden Gate Club (VIP-level festival experience)
Gold Payment Plan tiers
Tickets are available exclusively at www.sfoutsidelands.com. Early-bird pricing and payment plans are available but moving fast. Pre-party tickets for Pride Amplified at The Independent are also available on the same site.
More Outside Lands Highlights
If Dolores’ isn’t enough queer sparkle for you, the rest of Outside Lands 2025 is just as dazzling:
SOMA Tent — Returning with redesigned staging and outdoor vibes, featuring Black Coffee, Claude VonStroke, Floating Points, Nico Moreno, and more
Golden Gate Club — A luxe VIP lounge with elevated culinary experiences hosted by local chefs Melissa King, Tyler Florence, and Dana Younkin & Nancy Oakes
City Hall Weddings — Intimate outdoor ceremonies for couples seeking to tie the knot in a festival setting
Taste of the Bay Area, Wine Lands, Beer Lands, and Cocktail Magic — curated food and drink trails celebrating regional flavors
Grass Lands — the festival’s first licensed cannabis area, tailored for safe and legal consumption
Fan-favorite stages — featuring art, education, late-night DJs, and more
A Summer Must-Do
Between Dolores’ electric nights and all the festival’s other offerings, Outside Lands 2025 becomes an essential stop on the summer calendar — especially for LGBTQ+ audiences seeking a joyful, liberatory experience.
Whether you’re dressing up in sequins, seeking communal transcendence on the dancefloor, or just curious to see what makes Bay Area queer nightlife tick, Dolores’ is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Rebecca Black is back—and she’s not just reclaiming Fridays. The pop provocateur has ushered in a bold new chapter with SALVATION, a high-octane, genre-defying project that fuses rave energy, emotional release, and queer joy into one seven-track stunner. And if the sweaty dance floors she’s commanding are any indication, this is Black at her most powerful, playful, and self-possessed.
The Rebirth of Rebecca Black
Long gone are the meme days. Rebecca Black has carved out a place as a fearless creative force in pop music’s underground, blending fashion, queerness, and sonic experimentation with unmatched flair. With SALVATION, she doesn’t just push boundaries—she obliterates them.
Photo: Davis Bates
Photo: Ella Margolin
Photo: Finn Sanders
Photo: Finn Sanders
This latest project is a shimmering collection of club-ready tracks that flirt with chaos, catharsis, and camp. Standouts like “TRUST!,” “Sugar Water Cyanide,” and the title track “Salvation” are pulsing with hard techno, Y2K electro nostalgia, and a deeply emotional undercurrent that hits just as hard as the beats.
“I realized my salvation was never something I had to find outside of myself,” Black has shared about the project. “It was already there. I just had to claim it.”
Dance Floor Deliverance
SALVATION isn’t just a sonic statement—it’s a cultural one. Black has taken her new sound to the people, headlining her own sold-out tour across the U.S., U.K., and Europe, and spinning DJ sets at some of the most buzzed-about events of the year. Her recent set at the 2025 American Music Awards after party had the crowd raving, literally.
She also made her Boiler Room debut—one of the most coveted co-signs in underground dance culture—and brought her pulsing pop vision to Coachella’s DoLab stage. Coming up, she’s slated to bring that same energy to Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Bonnaroo, and a lineup of Pride festivals that couldn’t feel more fitting.
Mainstream Meets the Margins
Black’s rise is unique in that it bridges two worlds: the gritty, glitter-drenched underground and the polished stage of pop royalty. She’s currently on tour with none other than Katy Perry and drag legend Trixie Mattel, proving her versatility as a performer and cultural connector.
Whether she’s belting over distorted synths or spinning euphoric techno to a sea of queers under festival lights, Rebecca Black is delivering a message of radical self-love and creative freedom. SALVATION isn’t just an album—it’s a manifesto for anyone who’s ever had to reclaim their own story.
Rebecca Black Is Just Getting Started
As she continues to define what pop can be in 2025, Black is doing it on her own terms—with sweat, sequins, and a beat that won’t quit. She’s not chasing validation; she’s offering liberation. And if SALVATION is the gospel, the club is her church.
You can find Rebecca Black at WeHo Pride’s OUTLOUD main stage on Sunday, June 1st.
Get ready to kick off Pride weekend with a bang. GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Maren Morris is set to headline WeHo Pride Presents Friday Night at OUTLOUD Music Festival, a free outdoor concert on Friday, May 30, 2025, at West Hollywood Park.
Presented by the City of West Hollywood, this high-energy, music-packed celebration officially opens the annual WeHo Pride weekend and promises a night full of beats, boldness, and boundless queer joy.
Photo: Colombia RecordsPhoto: Colombia Records
A Lineup to Celebrate Loudly
While Morris leads the bill, the full Friday night lineup brings the fire with performances by Qveen Herby, Jamie Fine, and Venessa Michaels featuring Kaleena Zanders. The event also marks the return of the Drag Queen Lip Sync Battle Royale, a crowd-favorite showdown that never disappoints. Special guest Official Bruno will also make an appearance.
Doors open at 6 p.m. PT, and the concert is free to the public with RSVP. Due to limited capacity, attendees must register in advance at outloudmusicfestival.com, with registration opening Friday, May 16 at 10 a.m. PT. One ticket per email address will be allowed.
More Than Music: A Celebration of Queer Visibility
“WeHo Pride Presents Friday Night at OUTLOUD with free-entry tickets is more than symbolic—it’s a declaration that equality and inclusion matter,” said West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers. “We celebrate queer lives and artists. At a time when LGBTQ communities face attacks across the country, we remain committed to raising visibility and celebrating our community.”
Pride Weekend in Full Swing
Friday’s concert launches a full weekend of WeHo Pride events:
Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 feature the free WeHo Pride Street Fair, with live entertainment, community booths, and activities for all ages.
Saturday includes the Dyke March and Women’s Freedom Festival at the WeHo Pride Community Stage.
Sunday caps the weekend with the colorful and celebratory WeHo Pride Parade.
Photo: Outloud Music Festival
For the mainstage music lovers, the OUTLOUD Music Festival continues with ticketed events on Saturday and Sunday, featuring headliners Lizzo, Remi Wolf, Kim Petras, Honey Dijon, and Paris Hilton. Additional performances from Pabllo Vittar, Rebecca Black, Empress Of, and Shygirl Presents: Club Shy round out an epic lineup.
The SummerTramp Stage will turn up the heat with sets from Horse Meat Disco, salute, Brooke Eden, and more.
Building Something Bigger, Together
“WeHo Pride Friday Night at OUTLOUD has truly become one of the most electric nights of the year,” said Jeff Consoletti, Founder and Executive Producer of OUTLOUD. “With Maren Morris headlining, we’re building on that energy. It’s all about showing up, celebrating loudly, and creating space for queer joy. And thanks to our extended partnership with the City of West Hollywood through 2030, the best is yet to come.”
To RSVP for Friday night and to purchase OUTLOUD Music Festival tickets, visit: outloudmusicfestival.com. For full WeHo Pride details, visit: wehopride.com.
With festival season rapidly approaching, music fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of one of San Francisco’s most highly anticipated events — Outside Lands. This year’s festival, which will take place in Golden Gate Park from August 8 to August 10, is shaping up to be an exciting and inclusive experience. While major headliners like Tyler, The Creator, Hozier, and Doja Cat will headline the event, it’s the representation of queer artists on the lineup that is generating a lot of buzz. From Grammy-winning rappers to indie rockers, this year’s festival is celebrating a diverse range of queer voices in music.
Doechii: A Bisexual Icon in Hip-Hop
Doechii Performing at the 2025 Grammy’s. Photo: CBS
Doechii, who identifies as bisexual, has rapidly risen to fame within the music industry. Known for her unique style and genre-blending sound, Doechii’s unapologetic embrace of her bisexuality has made her an important figure for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly for bisexual visibility. The Top Dawg Entertainment signee made headlines in 2022 when she came out in a candid interview with GQ, and she’s been open about her experiences with love and sexuality ever since.
Her bold stance on fluidity in sexuality is evident in her interviews, where she often stresses the importance of being upfront and honest with partners about one’s sexual orientation. As she explained in a 2022 Breakfast Club interview, “Let me know what it is up front. I’ll accept you for who you are. It doesn’t really matter.” Doechii’s music continues to break boundaries, offering a space for queer fans to see their experiences reflected in her art.
Rebecca Black: From Viral Star to Queer Role Model
Rebecca Black at Portola in 2024. Photo: Instagram/@msrebeccablack
Rebecca Black, best known for her viral hit “Friday,” has been on a journey of self-discovery and growth in the public eye. In 2020, she publicly came out as queer on the Dating Straight podcast, explaining that her shift in perspective was more about her personal comfort than the need for a big “coming out” moment. She describes herself as “queer,” noting that the term resonates with her as it encompasses the fluidity of her sexuality.
As an artist who has navigated both the pressures of fame and her identity, Black’s journey has inspired many fans. Her visibility is especially important in the context of LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream pop music, as her openness has helped normalize queer identities in the music industry. Rebecca Black continues to push boundaries with her artistry, bringing her authentic self to the stage while encouraging others to embrace their true selves.
TORRES: Exploring Non-Binary Identity in Music
Photo: Mia Hughes
TORRES, the stage name of Mackenzie Scott, is an indie rock musician who identifies as queer and non-binary. Their music is deeply personal, often reflecting their struggles with identity, relationships, and the passing of time. TORRES made waves in 2021 when they publicly came out as non-binary, expanding the scope of LGBTQ+ representation in rock music. Their powerful album Silver Tongue is a testament to their journey, exploring themes of love, vulnerability, and the intersection of gender and identity.
TORRES’s marriage to visual artist Jenna Gribbon further highlights the queer visibility in their life and work. As an artist, TORRES has become a beacon for non-binary individuals in music, offering a voice to those whose experiences are often overlooked. Their work remains a strong example of the intersection between art and queer identity, continuing to inspire fans around the world.
Julien Baker: A Lesbian Voice in Indie Rock
Photo: Substream Magazine
Julien Baker has been a key figure in the indie rock scene for years, known for her poignant lyrics and emotionally charged performances. As an openly lesbian artist, her music often touches on themes of faith, sexuality, and mental health. Baker’s coming out story is one of courage, as she shared her truth with her parents at the age of 17, after years of living in fear of rejection. Thankfully, her family was “radically accepting,” and she has since used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity.
Baker’s work, including her albums Sprained Ankle and Turn Out the Lights, has resonated deeply with LGBTQ+ listeners, particularly those who have experienced similar struggles with organized religion and family acceptance. Her raw and heartfelt music is a testament to the power of authenticity in a sometimes harsh world.
Big Freedia: The Queen of Bounce Music and LGBTQ+ Representation
Big Freedia Live with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo: YouTube
Big Freedia, known as the “Queen of Bounce,” has become a symbol of queer empowerment within the music world. As a gay man who embraces his feminine side, Big Freedia is a force of nature, blending his gender-nonconforming identity with his infectious music style. He is a trailblazer in the bounce music scene, a subgenre of hip-hop that originated in New Orleans. Big Freedia’s rise to fame has made her one of the most visible queer artists in mainstream music.
Freedia has always been open about his identity and has used his platform to speak out against homophobia in the industry. Despite facing challenges early in his career, he’s remained steadfast in breaking down barriers for LGBTQ+ artists. His music is not only a celebration of New Orleans culture but also of queer identity, offering a space for queer people to feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Hope Tala: Queer Representation in R&B
Hope Tala Performing ‘Crazy’ Live. Photo: Vevo
Hope Tala has quickly become an important figure in the new wave of queer artists in the music industry. In an interview with Gay Times, Tala spoke about the natural progression of her visibility as a queer artist, noting that her platform allows her to connect with diverse audiences, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Tala identifies as queer and proudly represents her experiences in her music, often discussing love, self-expression, and the complexities of modern relationships.
Her rise in the music industry is particularly significant for LGBTQ+ people of color, a group that has historically been underrepresented in mainstream music. Tala’s openness about her sexuality and the way she weaves it into her music offers a refreshing and much-needed perspective in contemporary R&B.
Tyler, The Creator: Speculation and Curiosity Around Queerness
Photo: Casper Kofi for GQ
Tyler, The Creator is one of the most enigmatic figures in modern music. While he has never explicitly labeled his sexuality, his music has long hinted at fluidity in his attractions, with lyrics referencing relationships with both men and women. Songs like “Sorry Not Sorry” and “Balloon” have sparked conversations about his sexual identity, with Tyler describing his sexuality as a “grey area.”
Tyler’s openness about his sexual exploration has made him a queer icon in the hip-hop community, a genre that has traditionally been less accepting of LGBTQ+ voices. His willingness to challenge norms and explore his identity through his music has made him a role model for queer fans within the hip-hop scene.
Conclusion: A Festival for All
Outside Lands 2025 promises to be a celebration of queer voices in music, with a lineup that features a diverse range of artists from various genres. From Doechii’s bold bisexual representation to Big Freedia’s unapologetic queer power, this year’s festival lineup is sure to be a momentous occasion for LGBTQ+ fans and allies alike. With acts like Julien Baker, TORRES, and Hope Tala paving the way for future generations of queer musicians, Outside Lands is proving to be not just a music festival but a space for inclusivity, visibility, and celebration of diverse identities.
Fans can look forward to a weekend of unforgettable performances, powerful stories, and a celebration of queer culture at Golden Gate Park this summer. Explore the full lineup at the Outside Lands website.
The OUTLOUD Music Festival, known for showcasing diverse LGBTQ+ talent, will feature an array of performers across multiple genres. Among the artists confirmed for the festival are Pabllo Vittar, Rebecca Black, Empress Of, Horse Meat Disco, Tommy Genesis, and Sasha Colby, along with drag stars like Alyssa Edwards, Onya Nurve, and Flyana Boss. Additional performers include Alex Chapman, The Knocks x Dragonette with Aquaria, Meredith Marks, Frankie Grande, Corook, Rose Gray, Chrissy Chlapecka, Zoe Gitter, Xana, Kalie Shorr, Grant Knoche, Neverending Nina, and Shygirl Presents: Club Shy.
The festival will be hosted by Ryan Mitchell, Hannah Rad, Arisce Wanzer, and Billy Francesca, who will guide the audience through an exciting weekend filled with performances and celebrations of LGBTQ+ culture. The event is being produced by JJLA, a renowned production company that has helped elevate the festival’s visibility in recent years.
In a statement, Jeff Consoletti, Founder and Executive Producer of OUTLOUD, emphasized the importance of the festival’s mission, especially in challenging times for the LGBTQ+ community. “At a time when our rights and visibility continue to be challenged, it’s more important than ever for the LGBTQ+ community, allies, organizations, and advocates to come together in solidarity,” Consoletti said. “This festival is a place where we celebrate and empower queer artists on a massive scale. As we continue to grow, so does our impact in bringing the LGBTQ+ community to the forefront of entertainment.”
The OUTLOUD Music Festival will take place from May 31 to June 1, 2025, at the West Hollywood Park. The festival will run from 1 p.m. to midnight each day, offering a full slate of music, performances, and community events.
In addition to the main festival, a free outdoor concert, presented by the City of West Hollywood, will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025. Further details and lineup additions will be announced soon, with a promise of more exciting acts to be revealed as the festival draws closer.
The OUTLOUD Music Festival is expected to be a key event for WeHo Pride weekend, with its inclusive celebration of queer artistry, culture, and community.
Rebecca Black is no longer the 13-year-old who went viral with “Friday.” Now, at 27, the queer pop artist is confidently embracing her identity and celebrating her growth with the release of SALVATION, her first new music since 2023’s Let Her Burn. The seven-song dance-pop project marks a bold step forward for Black, showcasing her evolution both as an artist and an individual.
Black has long been a champion of queer pop, and she’s thrilled to see more queer artists like Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, and Doechii reaching mainstream success. In an interview with Out Magazine, “I definitely have a gay superiority complex myself, so I’ve always known there was so much potential in these artists,” Black says. “It would be really depressing if you were only digestible to other gay people because gay people have digested so much hetero content over the years and found so much resonance within it.”
With SALVATION, Black aims to create the kind of party music any 27-year-old would dream of. The tracks are brash, cocky, fun, and full of energy—perfect for listeners looking for an escape in a world that can often feel joyless. Yet, there’s a maturity to the project as well, with introspective songs like “Salvation” and “Do You Even Think About Me” reflecting on Black’s personal journey.
For Black, this project represents a new chapter in her career, one where she can unapologetically own who she is. “I actually felt like I knew so many people so well because of whatever imperfections they allowed me to see,” she shares. “I realized how little I was allowing everybody else to see [me]. So, really it’s just a matter of taking the leash off of myself… and allowing myself to act like a 27-year-old for the first time in my life.”
After years of dealing with public scrutiny over her body and sexuality, Black now fully embraces her identity. Early in her career, as a teenager, she was forced to navigate online body-shaming and unrealistic expectations. But now, with SALVATION, Black has found a new level of comfort in her body and sexuality. “Once I started doing it on my terms in a way that I felt really beautiful and in a way that was sometimes even outlandishly sexy or campy, that was where I started to find a comfortability in my body that I’d never had before,” she says. “That has become such a source of power for me.”
This newfound confidence shines through on tracks like “TRUST!” and “Sugar Water Cyanide,” which exude a sense of empowerment. Black’s journey to self-acceptance also informs the emotional depth of SALVATION, as she reflects on her past while looking toward the future.
Having spent over a decade in the music industry, Black is no longer constrained by other people’s expectations. She cherishes the opportunity to experiment with her music and lyrics, relishing the feeling of starting anew. “I really cherish the feeling of starting over, or learning again,” she says. “There’s a whole new book to this that I haven’t really come across yet.”
This new chapter is not just about the music, but about Black’s personal evolution. She’s no longer prioritizing others’ opinions over her own. “I’ve, for so long, felt so comfortable in prioritizing other people’s opinions of me above my own,” she admits. “This album really was me… starting to confront that and allow myself the freedom to fail and flail.”
Despite her transformation, Black isn’t ready to let go of the song that made her famous. When asked about whether she’ll retire “Friday” from her live shows, she teases, “This year I have plans for it that I think will be a little bit different from what people might expect.”
With SALVATION and her continued personal growth, Black is poised to leave her viral past behind and embrace a future that is unapologetically her own.
