SZA opened up about her ongoing struggle to adapt to life in the spotlight, describing her journey to fame as an unexpected transition that she “didn’t even know [she] was signing up for,” in a revealing conversation on the show “One of Them Days” alongside fellow entertainers Issa Rae and Keke Palmer, according to billboard.com.
The multi-Grammy-winning artiste and “Kill Bill” singer, whose real name is Solana Imani Rowe, painted a stark contrast between her suburban upbringing and her current status as one of R&B’s most prominent voices. “I didn’t grow up famous,” she reflected, describing her background of “regular school, regular college and regular odd jobs” before her meteoric rise to stardom.
Despite the massive success of her latest release, SOS Deluxe: LANA, which recently returned to the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart after 22 months, SZA admitted to feeling like an outsider in the celebrity world. She particularly noted the difference between herself and co-panelist Keke Palmer’s natural ability to handle public attention, saying, “Some people are very well acclimated in being perceived.”
The artiste’s candid admissions come at a time of both professional triumph and personal contemplation. While her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, “30 for 30,” has claimed the number one position on the Hot R&B Songs Chart, SZA has also revealed plans to explore new creative avenues, including the development of two children’s albums.
Looking ahead to her upcoming joint tour with Kendrick Lamar in 2025, SZA remains philosophical about her place in the industry. “Why would God put me in this position if I wasn’t supposed to be doing this?” she mused, while acknowledging the ongoing challenge of rising to the occasion. Her honest reflection offers a rare glimpse into the complexities of modern fame and the personal toll of public life on artists who never expected to find themselves in the spotlight.
