20-year-old Claire Cottrill, better known as Clairo, is coming out in her own way. With unprecedented openness, her new music is making a statement about self-discovery, personal evolution, and the fluidity of sexuality.
In 2017, the singer-songwriter went viral on YouTube with “Pretty Girl,” a self-produced music video made in her bedroom that’s since racked up over 32 million views. With her ep Diary 001 and honest lyrics in songs like “Flaming Hot Cheetos” and “4EVER”, she’s continued to inspire young people to embrace who they are. She’s toured with Dua Lipa, recently released Throwaway in collaboration with SG Lewis, and just announced a forthcoming tour with Khalid and a very personal record.
Last May, the artist came out as bisexual to her fans. Ahead of her new album IMMUNITY, out August 2, them. sat down with the rising songwriter to hear about her new music, how she’s exploring her identity in her work, and how she’s using her platform for good.
How did your experiences growing up influence the art you create today?
Growing up, my dad influenced me a lot with R&B and soul music, while my mom was more of an alternative cool girl. I think their influence definitely comes across in my music: Little touches of R&B and lots of dreaminess.
My biggest struggle growing up was maintaining friendships. I always felt myself bouncing from group to group because I didn't feel like I really belonged anywhere. It was something that worried me because I was afraid that I was just so different that I was never going to be able to connect with people. It made me feel a lot of angst and emotion. I feel like, in retrospect, I was maybe a little bit too intense in middle school.
How have these relationships changed as you’ve become more successful?
Once I got to college, I met all my best friends. I grew up in a really small town, and the people were very difficult to deal with. When I got to Syracuse University, I immediately started talking about myself as if I had already come out, as if it everyone already knew. That's how I met my two best friends. They're still my best friends to this day. It feels a lot less lonely. I talk to them about everything.
College was a place where I really learned about myself, especially from my best friends, who are openly gay. I’ve always been inspired by their confidence and their willingness to be exposed. No matter what, they’re always themselves.
What was the scariest part of coming out for you?
For the longest time it was really scary because I didn’t exactly know what my label was or what I would call my sexuality. I've been struggling with this my whole life. I know I love people and I'm acknowledging that as something that's happening to me.
I just don't want it to put me in a box. I think a lot of LGBTQ+ musicians feel like once they come out, they get put into this box. I don't think any artist wants to just be put in a box because of their sexuality. It shouldn't define them. It's also just scary for people from middle school and high school to read about my sexuality, not that I care what they think, but it's just scary to feel so exposed. And just in general, being honest, and being vulnerable in any sense, is really scary.
How has leaning into self-exploration changed your music?
I feel more comfortable with myself now. I feel like now that I've talked about my sexuality out-loud I allowed myself to be myself instead of pushing it away. It has made me feel a lot more calm and at peace.
I feel like my writing is better because I am coming from real experiences. Not to say that in my songwriting before wasn't real, but on my record, I have songs that are just completely unapologetically celebrating my sexuality. All the songs are about something important to me and they helped me grow.
What is the greatest challenge you face as an artist?
Being so open all the time. I feel the need to always be so available. And so I think that's also just social media, but having to really feel all your emotions all the time publicly.
It was also hard for me to spend so much time on this project. I think the internet has given me this weird mindset where if I don't finish a song in one day, the day feels almost worthless. At the same time, making a record is so personal and there are so many growing pains in the process.
This record is so worth it. I'm saying some things that I really want the world to hear, and things that I wished the 15-year-old me could hear.
You have such a platform to speak to young people. What do you want them to know?
I feel this sense of responsibility to my fans. All I want is to provide my fans, especially if they're dealing with their sexuality or mental health, with a positive space: a place for them to feel like they can do anything. I turned to the internet because my immediate community and environment wasn't what what I really needed. I want to be that for my fans.
I want to encourage young people to use their resources. It's okay to ask for help. I want to inspire my fans to really embrace who they are.
Photography by Jasper Soloff
Makeup by Chloe Pultar
Hair by Sean Christopher Fears
Styling by Andrew Gelwicks
Set Design by Chelsea Finkle and Beyond Studios
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