Charli XCX's Shocking Transformation: What She Revealed About Leaving Brat Will Blow Your Mind!

PARK CITY, Utah – Charli XCX is taking on a new role—this time, as a film star—in her latest project, “The Moment,” a meta mockumentary that delves into the pressures of fame and the expectations that come with overwhelming success. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where Charli expressed her desire to explore the narrative of expectation in her own career.

“I was just really interested in telling this story about expectation,” the 33-year-old pop star from Essex told The Associated Press. With a career that began at just 16, Charli XCX’s journey has been anything but linear. Her sixth studio album, “Brat,” which debuted in 2024, reached pop culture phenomenon status, leaving her feeling understood for a fleeting moment. “Then, just as quickly, it changed,” she reflected.

Charli candidly shared her struggles with the persona that the public associates with her, saying, “There was this sort of, kind of, you know, persona that people really associated me with and then there were a lot of expectations put on me as a person, as an artist.” This tension—wanting to evolve as an artist while being perceived as a “sure thing”—is a challenge many in the industry face. “I had got to this place where I was finally feeling so understood. Then I was like not understood again,” she added.

To tackle this complex topic, Charli and director Aidan Zamiri opted for an unconventional approach. “The Moment” draws inspiration from both “This is Spinal Tap” and “Black Swan,” creating a heightened yet truthful portrayal of the music industry. The film features cameos from celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Rachel Sennott, adding to its meta narrative. “I won’t lie, there are definitely some crossovers,” Charli admitted about her character's journey in the film. “It was a very accurate depiction of what I’ve experienced in the music industry.”

Set against the backdrop of Brat summer’s conclusion, the film sees Charli grappling with multiple pressures: staging a concert film with Amazon, promoting a Brat credit card, and adhering to the demands of music executives—all while battling exhaustion. “I’m not sleeping and getting increasingly frazzled about everything,” she said, painting a vivid picture of her character’s struggles.

Zamiri, who has directed several of Charli’s music videos, took on the challenge of helming his first feature film. He noted the universal themes of expectation and pressure that are present in both their lives and the film. “It’s this battle of expectations and of people wanting one thing from you,” he explained. “I love the process of making stuff. But part of it, which is often really exciting but also weird, is the sharing with the world because then it’s just no longer yours anymore.”

Even in promoting the film, Charli XCX remains hands-on, a reflection of her passion for marketing and for bridging the gap between a film’s vision and its promotion. “I love marketing, I really do,” she shared, highlighting her collaboration with A24, the film's distributor. “I mean like, come on, with ‘Marty Supreme’? It was so well done.”

Excitement around “The Moment” is palpable as it prepares for its theatrical release. After the premiere, Charli ensured fans were included in the festivities rather than just industry insiders, inviting them to a celebratory DJ party that lasted into the early hours. “I get the feeling they’ll show up for this like they would for a concert. That’s the coolest thing ever,” Zamiri remarked, underscoring the strong connection between Charli and her fanbase.

Sundance was a significant weekend for Charli, who also debuted in two other films, including Gregg Araki’s “I Want Your Sex” and Cathy Yan’s “The Gallerist.” This marked not just her foray into acting but also showcased her versatility as an artist. As a self-professed cinephile, Charli has logged over 1,350 films on her Letterboxd account, expressing her deep appreciation for cinema.

“To now be so fully entrenched in the filmmaking industry,” she said, “has been like everything and more.” Her enthusiasm extends beyond acting; she recently completed a companion album for Emerald Fennell’s upcoming adaptation of “Wuthering Heights.” “I feel so incredibly lucky that I’ve been a part of the films that I have been part of thus far,” she added, reflecting on her growth in the industry.

As “The Moment” gears up for its wide release on February 6, the film serves not only as an artistic statement but also as a reflection of Charli XCX’s experiences in the spotlight. It encapsulates the dual nature of fame—where success can feel both exhilarating and suffocating—and highlights the artist's desire to evolve while navigating the expectations that come with stardom.