SZA’s Honest Take on Fame: A Surreal Journey Through Stardom
SZA has become a powerhouse in the music industry, captivating millions with her raw talent and genre-defining music. Since her groundbreaking debut with Ctrl in 2017, she has consistently delivered chart-topping singles, record-breaking albums, and unforgettable performances. Now venturing into acting with the comedy film One of Them Days, SZA’s artistic reach seems limitless. Yet despite her meteoric rise, the star admits she’s still grappling with the concept of being famous.
In a candid interview with her One of Them Days co-star Keke Palmer, SZA shared her thoughts on the surreal nature of fame. “I genuinely don’t know what’s going on,” she confessed to Extra. “I have no idea what the hell is happening. I didn’t grow up around fame—I grew up in the suburbs, went to regular schools, attended a regular college, worked normal jobs until everything suddenly took off.”
“I Didn’t Sign Up for This… Or Did I?”
For SZA, the transition to stardom has been anything but natural. She explained how her humble upbringing sometimes leaves her feeling out of place in the spotlight. “People say, ‘This is what you signed up for,’ but I’m like, ‘I didn’t even know what I was signing up for, to be honest,’” she revealed. “I just made a few songs, and I’m grateful people love them, but then I kept going, and here I am.”
This sense of disconnect has been a recurring theme in SZA’s public reflections. Her honesty about the pressures of fame resonates deeply with fans who appreciate her down-to-earth demeanor.
Learning From Keke Palmer’s Natural Grace
During the interview, SZA praised Keke Palmer for navigating fame so effortlessly, having grown up under the glare of Hollywood lights. “Keke has this insane network of coping mechanisms—it’s like everything just flows, even when the cameras are rolling,” SZA said. “Some people are just so naturally equipped to handle being seen and have a different way of dealing with it.”
In contrast, SZA admitted that her approach has been far more uncertain, a sentiment she has explored both in her music and her candid interviews. Fame, she noted, is something she’s still learning to handle.
Battling Burnout: Fame’s Heavy Toll
SZA’s struggles with fame came to a head after the release of her critically acclaimed second album, SOS. In a conversation with British Vogue, she revealed feeling completely drained by the experience. “Maybe I wasn’t born to be famous,” she mused. “I’m falling apart, burning out, and behaving erratically. It’s not for me because I’m too anxious.”
The emotional toll led SZA to question whether she was cut out for a life in the spotlight. Thankfully, she found the strength to push through and channel her energy into new creative pursuits, proving her resilience and multi-dimensional talent.
While SZA may not feel entirely at home with fame, her authenticity continues to endear her to fans worldwide. Her venture into acting signals an exciting new chapter, and her music remains as impactful as ever.
As she navigates the challenges of stardom, one thing is clear: SZA’s talent and relatability make her a once-in-a-generation artist, no matter how surreal fame feels.
