‘STARS’ COVER EDITION - GLOBAL ISSUE
In a pop landscape filled with big names, Rachel Grae emerges as an authentic force, blending captivating vocal talent with a rare honesty that resonates like an open diary. Gracing the cover of Hooks Magazine’s special ‘STARS’ edition, the American singer invites us to dive into the raw emotions and stories that have shaped her artistic journey — a path where vulnerability isn’t a weakness but her most powerful signature.
Her debut album, Journal No. 1, is not just a collection of songs; it’s an emotional mirror, reflecting themes like self-acceptance, mental health, and self-love. “Turning personal experiences into songs is incredibly therapeutic but also challenging,” Rachel shares. “Reliving deep emotions can be liberating, and every finished song gives me a new perspective.”
The single “If I’ll Ever Win” encapsulates this essence. Inspired by her complicated relationship with her body image, the track is a heartfelt confession about internal struggles and the ongoing journey to self-confidence. “I wish I had a song like this growing up. If even one listener feels less alone after hearing it, then my music has done its job.”
Often compared to stars like Olivia Rodrigo, Adele, and Tate McRae, Rachel accepts the parallels with humility but remains true to her identity. “Every artist has their own path, their own pains and triumphs translated into music. I just want to connect with people the way they do.”
That connection, however, goes beyond headphones. With her North American tour set for 2025, Rachel promises that her live shows will be more than performances — they’ll be emotional experiences. “It’s like one big group therapy session,” she jokes. “It’s going to be an emotional rollercoaster, full of surprises… but you’ll have to come to a show to find out.”
Behind the rising pop artist is a young woman who openly advocates for mental health and body positivity — causes that shape not only her art but also her deep bond with fans. “I want to be a voice that shines a light on tough topics. I’ve struggled with both, and I know so many others who have too. My music is a safe space, whether you want to feel in silence or start a conversation.”
For Rachel, vulnerability is her artistic language. “My songs are like ripped-out pages from my journal. I think there’s so much beauty in feeling everything deeply without shame.” This transparency strengthens her bond with her audience, whom she sees as more than just fans. “They feel like family to me. They mean the world.”
Rachel Grae Interview:
1. Your debut album, Journal No. 1, dives into profound themes like body acceptance and self-love. What was the process of turning these personal experiences into songs that resonate with so many people?
The process of turning personal experiences into songs is incredibly therapeutic, but it can also be challenging. It’s hard to go back to a time when you felt something so deeply and relive that experience, but it can also be really freeing when you do. I feel like a new person with a fresh perspective every time I finish a song. Especially with body image — after writing “If I’ll Ever Win” and seeing the fans’ responses, I felt heard. I’m proud to help my listeners process their emotions through my music, but seeing their feedback is just as — if not more — healing for me as it is for them.
2. You’ve been compared to artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Adele, and Tate McRae. How do these comparisons influence your career, and how do you define your unique voice in the pop scene?
I’m really grateful to be compared to such incredibly talented artists in the industry. I admire so many of them and the impact they’ve made, along with the worlds they’ve built around their art and fanbases. I feel like every artist has their own path and their own thoughts and experiences they share through their music. I’m just trying to connect with people while doing it — the same way they do!
3. Your single “If I’ll Ever Win” carries a powerful message about self-acceptance. What inspired the song, and how do you hope it impacts your listeners?
“If I’ll Ever Win” was inspired by the thoughts I’ve had about my body. I’ve had a complicated love/hate relationship with myself for a long time. Confidence has never come easy — and I don’t think it does for anyone. It took growth and learning about who I am to truly build a friendship with myself. I’m still working on that friendship to this day, and I plan to work on it for the rest of my life. Growing up, I wished I had a song I could relate to this deeply. So if just one listener feels less alone after hearing it or finds comfort in knowing others feel the same way, then my music has done what it was meant to do.
4. With your North American tour scheduled for 2025, what can fans expect from your live shows? Are there any surprises or special elements you’re planning for these performances?
My fans can expect an emotional rollercoaster hahaha. They’ll feel every emotion from all of my releases so far throughout my set. A big group therapy session, I guess? I can’t wait to meet everyone in person and experience this music together in a big room. There are always surprises at my shows… I guess you’ll have to come to one to find out :)
5. Beyond music, you advocate for mental health and body positivity. How do these causes shape your art and your connection with your growing fanbase?
I think the conversation about mental health and body positivity is super important and should never be avoided. I want to be a voice that sheds light on topics I feel deeply about, and these two are perfect examples. I’ve struggled with both at different points in my life, and I know SO many other people who have too. Some are better at acting okay than others, but I want to give people a safe outlet to feel everything — whether that means sitting with their feelings silently or starting a conversation. Either way, I want people to feel comforted knowing others feel the same.
6. You’ve mentioned believing in the power of vulnerability in music. How has this approach shaped your artistic journey and strengthened your bond with your audience?
I try to be as vulnerable as possible in my music — I describe it as ripping pages straight from my journal. I think there’s so much beauty in vulnerability and in feeling every emotion deeply without shame. It’s shaped my entire artistic journey… the way I write, what I want to say, how I say it. And my followers are the biggest reason I feel comfortable doing it. I feel like I have such a safe outlet to share my stories. My fans feel more like family to me than “fans” in the traditional sense… they mean the world to me, and I’m so grateful for anyone who’s ever listened to my music.
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