British pop star Charli XCX recently opened up about the viral tweet that unexpectedly played a role in Vice President Kamala Harris’s surge in popularity among Gen Z voters.
The tweet, which simply read “kamala IS Brat,” sparked widespread attention and even became a part of Harris’s presidential campaign.
The Tweet That Took Off!
On July 21, shortly after President Joe Biden announced he wouldn’t seek reelection and endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee, Charli XCX, whose real name is Charlotte Emma Aitchison, tweeted her approval in just three words: “kamala IS Brat.”
The tweet quickly gained traction, especially after the Harris campaign shared a screenshot of it on TikTok, even creating their own version of Charli’s lime-green “brat” album cover to drive the message home.
Charli’s Intentions and the Meaning Behind “Brat”
In a recent interview with Vulture, Charli addressed the buzz around her tweet. She clarified that while she didn’t intend for it to be seen as a political endorsement, she wanted it to be a positive and lighthearted statement.
Still, she acknowledged the importance of being on the right side of democracy and women’s rights, expressing her happiness in helping to prevent democracy from “failing forever.”
Reflecting on the unexpected impact, she admitted:
“I obviously knew what I was doing. Did I think me talking about being a messy b**** and, like, partying and needing a Bic lighter and a pack of Marlboro Lights would end up on CNN? No.”
The term “brat,” which has been popularized by Charli, refers to an icon or someone embracing their authenticity and confidence. It’s a noun that captures the essence of being unapologetically oneself.
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Clarifying Her Stance: “I’m Not a Political Artist”
Despite the political frenzy her tweet caused, Charli was clear that she doesn’t see herself as a political artist. “I’m not Bob Dylan, and I’ve never pretended to be,” she said.
She emphasized that while everything in her life feeds back into her art, politics is not a driving force behind her music.
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Addressing Other Rumors: The Taylor Swift Connection!
In the same interview, Charli also addressed speculation surrounding her song “Sympathy is a Knife,” which many believe is about Taylor Swift.
Charli dismissed these claims, stating that the song is more about her own feelings, anxiety, and the narratives she creates in her head when feeling insecure. She explained that it’s about the discomfort she experiences during moments of self-doubt.
Despite the rivalry on the music charts—where Swift recently edged out Charli for the No. 1 spot in the UK—there seems to be mutual respect between the two artists.
Swift praised Charli’s songwriting, calling it “surreal and inventive,” and expressed admiration for Charli’s consistent ability to take songs in unexpected directions.
With her viral tweet and unique musical style, Charli XCX continues to make waves both in pop culture and beyond, even if she never intended to step into the political spotlight.