A lot has happened to Baby Queen over the past three years. At the beginning of 2020, she had still worked at a record store in London, and since then, she released an EP, a mixtape, her songs have millions of streams, she toured the world with Olivia Rodrigo, she writes music for Netflix’s hit series, „Heartstopper”, and her very first album is coming out in October. „Quarter Life Crisis”, as she tells us, speaks about every aspect of her life, and he had plenty of material to work with.
The 26-year-old Bella, born Arabella Latham, was born in South-Africa, but moved to London at the age of 18 to make her dreams come true and pursue a career in music. Although her journey has been long, and sometimes less than easy, we can say that her dreams did come true. This summer, she has been performing at the biggest festivals all over the world, including Sziget Festival on August 13 at the FreeDome tent, where she hyped up and enchanted the Hungarian crowd. We had the opportunity to sit down a chat with her a bit before her show, and during the interview, she told us about her upcoming, debut album, „Heartstopper”, what it was like to tour with Olivia Rodrigo, she shared a message with her Hungarian fans, and of course, we taught her a little bit of Hungarian, as well – exclusive interview with Baby Queen from Sziget Festival.
We are so happy that you’re here in Budapest. Did you get the chance to explore the city a bit?
No, I was in a van for 13 hours yesterday, driving from Romania. So I got to the hotel and I was like, that’s it for me. Like, I can’t do anything. Then we came here this morning, but hopefully tonight, we’re going to go to some bars or something and maybe do some exploring tomorrow morning.
Alright, well, have fun! So you just announced your very first album, „Quarter Life Crisis”. I’m so excited, can’t wait to hear it. What is the most important thing that you learned during the creation process of this record?
I think I learned that it’s very difficult to decide what you’re going to create before you create it. It’s very difficult to be like, I’m going to make an album like this or it’s going to be in this world. I think before the thing actually comes to life, it’s very difficult to know what it is or to put it into a box.
So for me, it was I really learned that the thing that you’re creating changes its face so many times before people get to hear it.
But yeah, and also just like discipline, like I’ve had to be very, very, very, very disciplined to meet deadlines and get the thing finished because it’s been really difficult.
And what is the main message that you hope people will take away from the album?
Well, to me, the album feels like it’s just an honest recount of some of the main things that I’ve been through during my twenties.
I think your early twenties can be quite a tumultuous time when you’re stepping into adulthood, but you’re still a child in many ways.
And I think, you know, I’ve just been very honest in this music and I’ve just spoken about every facet of what my life’s been like. So I just hope people can listen to it and feel hopeful. Like there’s some really sad moments and some real… There’s a lot of raw honesty. But I feel that the main message, you know, I feel that by the time you get to the end, it leaves you with a feeling of hope. And, you know, life is good, life is beautiful.
You’re such an important part of the „Heartstopper” family, and you also appear in the second season. So do you have a favourite memory from the shoot?
Umm, my favourite memory from the shoot… I think, you know, it was such a long day. And I think my favourite thing was that I had a stunt double on the day. I was like, why do I need a stunt double? I’m literally just standing on the stage. It was very funny, but yeah, it was an amazing day, just seeing everyone. After I finished shooting, we all went and sort of hung out in one of the green rooms. I just hadn’t seen them for so long, so it was really nice to catch up. And yeah, it’s always fun being around them. They’re amazing people.
Okay, so short one, but tough one. Who’s your favourite character from the show?
My favorite character from the show… I love Tao and Elle, but I think that I’ve got a connection with Nick.
When I first watched „Heartstopper” and wrote „Colours of You”, it was from Nick’s perspective.
Him and I are both bisexual, so there’s this, like, understanding between me and his character. So, yeah, I love Nick. Big Nick fan.
And which song of yours would you show to a person that doesn’t know you yet?
I would show them something like „Buzzkill”, I guess, because „Buzzkill” just feels like it’s very quintessentially Baby Queen. I feel like no one else could sing that song.
That’s my music that I like the best, that it feels very unique to Baby Queen.
Alright. So you supported Olivia Rodrigo last year on her tour, and I saw the two of you in Paris.
You did?
Yes! And it was incredible!
I cried on the stage!
Yeah, you did and you were so cute.
Oh God, I was having such a bad day. I went on stage, I just got into the end of the set. It was almost finished. I was like, I can’t. And I was like, guys, I’ve had a really hard day. Sorry about that.
No, I remember it as a beautiful moment. Do you have a favourite memory from the tour?
That tour was phenomenal. That was my first support tour, and for that to be the first support tour you go on, it’s just like such an unrealistic expectation to have of touring. It was beautiful. The crew is so amazing. The whole team. My favourite memories, you know, there was one time we stopped off somewhere in Switzerland and we went, like, walking through a river. We went out, I mean, just everywhere. It was just like the best time ever. I think my favorite show was Zurich in Switzerland. The fans were crazy. Crazy.
And finally, is there a message that you would like to share with your Hungarian fans?
I would like to say hello, Hungarian fans. I love you guys very much.
It means a lot to me that you listen to my music and hopefully I can come out and party with you guys soon and play a show.
I appreciate you very, very, very, very much. Stay cool, be yourself and be happy. Be yourself, do whatever you want to do.
