Messy, Queer & Authentic: A Pop Girl Phenomenon

Over the past month, we've delved into the delightful nonsense of Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso and Charli XCX's Brat Summer. So, what better way to put an exclamation point on the end of Summer than by throwing Chappell Roan into the mix?

ICYMI, a meme recently depicted these three as the Powerpuff Girls—Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. Together, they’re a potent force: challenging norms, celebrating queerness, and doing it all for the girls and the gays. It’s camp with a capital C as Sabrina Carpenter’s latest video, “Taste” (an homage to Death Becomes Her), shows her kissing Jenna Ortega as the two murder each other over and over.

As these pop queens continue to rise, it’s clear that this is not just a fleeting moment but the beginning of a new era in pop music: one that embraces complexity, messiness, queerness, and, most importantly, authenticity.

For fans, these artists provide a cultural reset and a much-needed break from the introspective tones of today’s biggest stars. Carpenter’s viral performances on Taylor Swift’s Eras tour and Roan’s queer anthems with a drag-queen-inspired persona are capturing our attention in ways that feel significant and overdue. It’s sadly why Katy Perry’s Rosie-the-Riveter-bit in “Woman’s World” fell flat.

Marketers should take note: the unapologetically weird and campy style of these artists…resonates. This new wave of Pop expression proves that embracing bold and unconventional approaches can be a way to co-sign cultural moments. Don’t be afraid to get weird and silly — that’s where the magic happens.