stayc main image

Cardi B Drops Jay-Z-Sampling Single ‘Imaginary Playerz'

August 21, 2025

Cardi B is officially back in album mode. On Friday, the rap superstar released her new single “Imaginary Playerz,” a bold track that samples Jay-Z’s classic “Imaginary Player.” The release comes...

Read more
stayc main image

Gary Oldman Reflects on David Bowie: “The World’s Gone to Shit” Since His Passing

August 21, 2025

Gary Oldman opened up about his decades-long friendship with the late David Bowie, calling the world a very different place since the music icon’s death in January 2016. In a heartfelt interview...

Read more
stayc main image

From Palio to Plushies: Madonna's 67th Birthday Blends Medieval Traditions with Modern Trends

August 21, 2025

The Queen of Pop just proved she's still the ultimate trendsetter even when it comes to birthday cakes. Madonna rang in her 67th birthday with a luxurious Italian getaway capped off by an enormous...

Read more
stayc main image

Jade Thirlwall Calls Out Matty Healy's Political Silence: "Your Privilege is Showing, Disappointing"

August 20, 2025

Former Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall isn't mincing words about artists who avoid political engagement, specifically calling out The 1975's Matty Healy for what she sees as a privileged stance. In...

Read more
stayc main image

PinkPantheress – Illegal: The Song That Feels Wrong but Sounds So Right

August 20, 2025

PinkPantheress has once again cracked the code of Gen Z’s collective brain chemistry with her track Illegal. It’s short, it’s addictive, and it’s the kind of song that makes you feel like you’re...

Read more
stayc main image

Conan Gray – Caramel: The Sweetest Breakup You’ll Ever Cry To

August 20, 2025

Conan Gray has never been shy about writing songs that feel like reading your high school diary at 2 a.m. with the lights off. But with Caramel, he’s gone full Willy Wonka heartbreak mode. It’s...

Read more
stayc main image

PinkPantheress – Romeo: A Love Song for the Chronically Online

August 20, 2025

PinkPantheress has always had a gift for making music that feels like it was recorded inside your daydreams, half diary entry, half late-night Tumblr scroll. With Romeo, she’s taken that talent and...

Read more
stayc main image

LISA – DREAM feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi: When Music Meets Cinema

August 20, 2025

Every so often, a song arrives that feels less like a single and more like a cinematic event. LISA’s latest release, DREAM featuring Japanese actor and heartthrob Kentaro Sakaguchi, is exactly that...

Read more
stayc main image

Cardi B’s “Imaginary Playerz”: The Anthem We Didn’t Know We Needed

August 20, 2025

If Cardi B has taught us anything, it’s that she doesn’t just rap, she throws down verbal haymakers wrapped in couture and glitter. Her new joint, “Imaginary Playerz,” is a full-on drag session for...

Read more
stayc main image

Joyce Manor Returns After Three Years

August 20, 2025

Everyone’s favorite pop-punkers, Joyce Manor, are back with their first new song in three years. The surprise single, “All My Friends Are So Depressed,” is out now via Epitaph Records, blending...

Read more
stayc main image

From Pews to Playlists: How Christian Pop Took Over the Hot 100

August 20, 2025

In 2025, Christian culture is prevalent, although it was previously on the outside of popular music. The Billboard Hot 100 is dominated by religious-themed songs like Benson Boone's...

Read more
stayc main image

SENSITIVE CONTENT The Fall of a Gospel Titan: Michael Tait’s Reckoning

August 20, 2025

Michael Tait, a well-known Christian rock musician (DC Talk, Newsboys), has admitted to engaging in "unwanted sensual" behavior and substance misuse for decades. Multiple accusers allege abuse...

Read more

Lena Meyer-Landrut: Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity

stayc main image

German singer Lena Meyer-Landrut, at 33, has no qualms about discussing her battles with depression and self-doubt in the public eye. "As an artist, I've always been open about my emotions and thoughts," the Hannover native shared with dpa. "I share them at the right time." Despite this openness, she maintains a certain level of privacy, keeping aspects of her life personal. Recently, she opened up even more about her mental health and past self-doubt in interviews with "Spiegel" magazine and her YouTube documentary series. "Doubting oneself can resurface at any moment," she confessed to dpa. "But for now, I'm feeling relatively stable about my relationship to success."

A Journey Back to Herself

The Eurovision Song Contest winner from 2010 considers "Loyal to Myself" and its 17 songs a significant part of her personal growth. In her video documentary, Meyer-Landrut describes the album as a "journey back to myself." The album's motto is clear: "More authentic. More me. Back to me. Less pressure. More fun." The singer acknowledges her struggles with self-doubt and insecurity, stating that she's been on an emotional tightrope between "what am I really" and "what am I for the wrong reasons."

Lena questions if she has to alter her music, language, or appearance to fit societal expectations. "I don't understand the world, I don't understand the rules, yet I have to swim along," she says, admitting that self-doubt and insecurity are constant companions. Meyer-Landrut has learned to cope with the pressure and has grown more relaxed, and less prone to anger or upset.

Embracing Change and Authenticity

As part of her newfound courage, Meyer-Landrut ditched her original album plan, stating, "I could have regretted something that I didn't feel a hundred percent about or didn't fully stand behind." In the documentary "Making Loyal," she explained that she couldn't portray consistency while being part of a constantly evolving world. Lena's newfound confidence comes from the realization that she must take responsibility for the person she wants to be and her genuine willingness to be vulnerable. This vulnerability allows her to deeply connect with her fans, sharing her journey through her music.

Looking Forward

The adventurous journey toward self-acceptance, musical experimentation, and personal growth is evident in her music, making the album release all the more exciting. Meyer-Landrut is not afraid to make changes or ditch the plan, jumping fearlessly into the next stage of her artistic career. Not only fans, but the whole music industry should keep a keen eye on this phenomenal artist.

This summer's tour will be a chance for Lena to display her newfound boldness. With a fresh sound and a newfound purpose, Lena anticipates the future with excitement and courage. The future of Lena's music career may be unpredictable, but she is determined to stay true to herself. "I am loyal to myself now," after all.

A Message for Other Creators

Lena Meyer-Landrut's journey offers valuable lessons for other music creators. Her message of authenticity and self-acceptance can inspire artists to stay true to their vision and emotions, rather than conforming to external pressures. By embracing vulnerability and openly discussing her struggles with mental health, Lena demonstrates the importance of addressing and sharing one's battles, which can foster deeper connections with audiences.

Moreover, her willingness to prioritize personal satisfaction over commercial success underscores the significance of artistic integrity. Music creators can benefit from this approach by focusing on creating work that resonates personally, leading to more genuine and impactful art. Lena's story encourages artists to trust their instincts, be fearless in their creative processes, and understand that personal growth often translates into artistic evolution.

In embracing her true self and rejecting societal expectations, Lena Meyer-Landrut sets a powerful example for other artists. Her courage to be authentic and vulnerable not only enhances her own music but also serves as a beacon for others striving to find their voices in the ever-evolving music industry.

Lena Meyer-Landrut: Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticitylena-meyer-landrut-embracing-vulnerability-and-authenticityAshveen Assokan Jun 02, 2024German singer Lena Meyer-Landrut, at 33, has no qualms about discussing her battles with depression and self-doubt in the public eye...