From double standards to internalized misogyny, singer-songwriter Ariana and the Rose takes to her piano to call it out. While she broke out onto the music scene nearly a decade ago, it's only recently that she's ascended the ranks of TikTok stardom.
Looking to fill the void of live performances during the pandemic, she sought to connect with fans through "piano chats" — where she sounds off on terrible dates, body image, double standards, and everything in between. Heartening and affirmative, she has the aura of a best friend you call after a terrible day (the kind who shows up with a bottle of wine shortly after).
In every way, she's the embodiment of female strength we're trying to convey in our latest project Big. Strong. Woman. Creative directed and narrated by the one and only Ashley Graham, the film spotlights systemic barriers women face on the daily and aims to challenge gender norms.
In celebration of the recent launch (and in anticipation of the release of her new single), we caught up with Ariana to get the scoop on the inspiration behind her art.
Your piano chats are so empowering and affirmative — we’re obsessed. What inspired you to start the series?
Thank you so much! A year ago I was thinking about starting a TikTok and was really daunted by the idea of trying to figure out “content.” A friend gave me great advice and said, "you need to create things that you love doing" — and the thing I love doing most is playing shows.
The idea for the videos came from that section of a concert when I’m vamping before singing the next song, talking about my life and inspiration for whatever I’m about to sing.
I didn’t realize that playing and chatting would resonate so much, but I’m so glad it did! It has definitely created a dialogue with people and opened up a way for me to talk about the things I care about and am inspired by.
Clearly, we’re not the only ones who are loving the videos. Has the viral nature of your social content changed your approach to songwriting and music creation?
It’s so cool that people have been liking the videos and that they can see pieces of their own experiences in them. My approach to songwriting hasn’t changed.
If anything, I think the response to the videos has instilled more confidence in me to write about the things that feel closest to me — even if that feels scary and vulnerable. It’s shown me there’s an audience for it, which is an amazing feeling.
What daily affirmations are you all about lately?
My daily affirmation these days comes at the end of the day. I exhale and say, you did your best. You are one person, doing the best you can, and that is enough. You are enough.
I don’t know if wine counts as an affirmation but that is in there too!
In a recent video, you called on women to stop apologizing for taking up space. Why do you think this is such an important call to action?
Women are programmed from an early age to apologize. We have different words for it: we tell girls not to be too “chatty," “bossy,” “loud,” or “difficult” — and if they are any of these things, we call them out on it and expect them to apologize for being themselves.
As girls grow into women, it is internalized in everything we do. For me, it’s been about unlearning that. When I do hear something like that, it's about recognizing that those are not things to be sorry for. Being “chatty,” has helped me reach millions of people on the internet.
Being “bossy” is really just a function of me learning how to lead a team of people with an aligned vision. I’m way “louder” now, with a literal microphone in my hand, and if speaking up for myself and standing my ground makes me “difficult” then I’m cool with that.
We rate double standards two giant thumbs down. Women are constantly having to navigate a sea of expectations — what made you want to speak to this through your art?
If you were to stop any woman on the street and ask her to name a double standard she has experienced between her and a man, I’m sure she could name 10. All women have experienced this, which is why I felt like it was worth talking about.
I feel hopeful that we’re in a time where these kinds of discussions are happening more frequently and, ideally, if we all keep speaking about it, over time, there will be some real, lasting change.
We’re pumped for your upcoming single Setting Me Free. In it, you sing “I’m changing like a season, I am what I believe in.” What’s the inspiration behind the song?
I am so excited to put this song out! The song was born out of me really sitting down with myself and facing the things I didn’t like — and then looking at why I didn’t like those parts of me.
What it came down to was so much of it was based off things other people have said to me, about me. I didn’t want to hold that anymore. The lyrics really started as an affirmation.
I want people to look in the mirror and say those lyrics to themselves. It took me a long time to be what I believe in. It is no small feat and my hope is that other people can take those words and make them their own.
Learn more about Big. Strong. Woman. at Knix.com.