From tiktok to sold-outs: how eli’s ‘stage girl’ is redefining pop’s diy spirit
Twenty-five-year-old Eli, once sharing snippets of her music on TikTok under the handle @JournalOfADoll, is now dominating festival stages and garnering critical acclaim. But behind the glittering success, a hard-won realization is fueling her next chapter – a move away from manufactured expectations and back to the raw, authentic joy of songwriting.
A near-quit: the moment of clarity
Just weeks ago, Eli considered abandoning music altogether, overwhelmed by the pressure surrounding her debut album, Stage Girl. ‘I just felt like other people were gripping onto it,’ she admitted via Zoom, her Los Angeles home a surprisingly cluttered haven. ‘I’d forgotten about the things that I was doing it for – loving writing songs and truly believing in the power of pop music.’
The crowd’s the cure
A pivotal moment arrived during her current tour, witnessing the ecstatic response of her fans. ‘It was a real reminder that the biggest part of doing this, and why I’ve been dreaming of doing this—and why I wrote an album called Stage Girl—is to be on a stage, in front of people,’ she explained, twirling a streak of Y2K-core platinum blonde through her hair. ‘It re-instilled my faith in pop and in music and in my songwriting abilities.’
Beyond the filter: embracing authenticity
Eli’s journey has been deeply intertwined with her identity as a trans woman. ‘It really was aligned with my opening the floodgates for my ability to express myself after 20 years of pushing it all down and living in a state of dissociation and repression,’ she shared. ‘I feel very fortunate that, as terrifying as it was, I said, I’m going to just go full-throttle in trusting my truth and showing up in the world, even when it’s in a time where I’m scared.’
Deluxe edition – amplified
The upcoming Stage Girl deluxe edition promises to build on this foundation. Lead single “Glitter” – a deliciously barbed kiss-off with a maximalist production – is a prime example. But it’s tracks like “Feel Your Rain,” a power ballad brimming with shimmering synths and a surprisingly vulnerable plea, that truly showcase Eli’s artistic evolution. ‘There’s this song ‘Nobody’s Girl’ that is the fucking thesis of Stage Girl,’ she stated emphatically. ‘It’s a ballad that’s aspiring to be Whitney Houston under a spotlight, but it’s a trans girl with a low-ass voice who’s trying to force her voice up higher than it should go.’
A kaleidoscope of sounds
Eli isn’t limiting herself to one lane. She’s already experimenting with R&B, gospel, and even club music, eager to explore the full spectrum of her creative potential. ‘I want to make Christian music, to sing to the woman in Walmart who thinks that trans people don’t deserve to be alive,’ she declared with a wry smile. ‘And then I’ll bring her backstage, and we’ll have such a ki.’
The ‘doll’ remains a star
Despite the whirlwind success, Eli remains grounded, fiercely protective of her fanbase and committed to fostering a community built on authenticity. ‘I truly believe in the power of pop music,’ she asserted. ‘Me and the girls are always like, ‘We’re spreading the journal of a doll.’ And to me, that is the biggest, most important part – the idea of being able to give myself and my community the chance to be even more at the forefront of the commercial music world.’
Final thoughts
Eli’s story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the music industry and the power of self-discovery. Stage Girl (Deluxe) drops May 22nd, signaling a bold new direction for this undeniably captivating artist.