You’ve had a rapid rise over the past year, from touring with Loreen to now stepping onto arenas with Jason Derulo. How have these back‑to‑back milestones shaped your confidence and perspective as a young artist navigating such a fast‑moving career?
I believe that all of the milestones I’ve achieved over the past year have really shaped my confidence and who I want to be as an artist. Seeing the fans at these live shows has not only shown me the power of my music, but also what elements I want to add more of into the shows. Every new milestone keeps on building my artistry and the upcoming era of THERA.
This tour marks your biggest live moment yet. When you think about performing for thousands every night, what aspects of your artistry are you most excited to showcase on a stage of this scale?
I’m really excited to show the fans how much I have grown vocally, and this new dance/ choreo aspect of the show. I’ve worked hard on making sure I am ready for these big shows, and I have honestly never had so much fun on stage.
You’re opening the year with a dark techno remix of ‘rewind’. What inspired you to explore a more electronic direction, and how does this remix reflect where you see your sound evolving?
I always love hearing different versions or alternative sounds to the songs that I make. When KNWLSY sent over his idea of the remix, I instantly fell in love with it. Originally, I wasn’t planning on such a sound, but I feel like it fits the song’s message so well. I would say this song reflects my transition into the dance world, and wanting to work with more choreography in the future.
The original ‘rewind’ captures the emotional loop of toxic love. How do you approach transforming such personal experiences into music that feels both vulnerable and empowering?
I think it comes naturally from me writing the music as a therapeutic tool for myself. The vulnerability comes from the lyrics and emotions that I feel are right, and then I just polish it with the music.
Which artists are you currently enjoying, and what would be your dream collaboration?
I have always been inspired by Madison Beer. She is one of the artists who got me into songwriting, as I fell in love with Dear Society when it came out. I would say that would be my dream collaboratio,n too. Writing a song with her would be such a special experience for me, so maybe one day.
Your name, THERA, comes from the idea of music as therapy. How has your relationship with songwriting changed now that your music is reaching a global audience who may be using it as their own form of healing?
I wouldn’t say it has changed, and that’s what I love about it so much. Of course, it’s a bit different in the sense that I am writing for a bigger audience. However, my songwriting still comes from my personal experiences, and the songs are created as a therapeutic outlet for me. I share the songs in the hope that if someone needs to hear a specific message or to know that they’re not alone in what they may be going through, my songs are there for them.
You released your debut album ‘I Wish I Called’ last year. Looking back, what did creating that project reveal about the kind of stories you want to tell as an artist?
I wrote IWIC truly only for myself. That album, originally, was never going to be released. It served almost as my diary of things I needed to get out of my head and leave behind. And it really did that for me. I feel like that album set up my whole message behind my music, and my goal of creating a safe space for my fans.
If you could summarise your next musical era in one word, what would it be?
I would say “bold” is the word for this next era.