Variety recently caught up with Charli XCX between Aperol Spritzes and festival appearances—specifically, as she was en route to perform at Norway’s Øya Festival. The conversation quickly turned to her unexpected (and now signature) love for the neon-orange apéritif, which has become as synonymous with her brand as her brat-punk anthems. “I wrote ‘neon orange drinks on the beach’ into Everything Is Romantic after a summer in Italy,” she says, referencing a track from her latest album. “Now Aperol’s just part of my ecosystem.”
But the singer’s creative palette extends far beyond cocktails. With three films premiering at Venice, Toronto, and beyond—plus an original A24 project, The Moment, in development—Charli is diving headfirst into acting. “I’m building things from the ground up with directors I admire,” she explains, namechecking Gregg Araki (I Want Your Sex) and Pete Ohs (Erupcja). Her approach is characteristically DIY: no waiting for scripts, just forging collaborations with like-minded auteurs.
Her cinematic tastes skew decidedly un-sunny. David Cronenberg’s Maps to the Stars and Abel Ferrara’s The Addiction are frequent rewatches. “I don’t necessarily go to movies to feel good,” she admits. “I like sad, dark stories.” That sensibility bleeds into her own projects, including Julia Jackman’s 100 Nights of Here, set for Venice.
On the TV front, she lit up Prime Video’s Overcompensating—both as herself and as music producer for Benito Skinner’s queer coming-of-age comedy. “Ben’s bravery in telling honest stories is so inspiring,” she says.
As for her five surprise VMA nominations? Charli laughs: “I had no idea until you told me.” But that’s classic Charli—eyes fixed on the next creative horizon, whether it’s a grim arthouse flick or another Aperol-soaked party.
With a lifelong passion for storytelling and a particular focus on the diverse cultures of Asia and the ASEAN region, Monica delves beyond the surface of films and music. She seeks out the productions that spark conversations, challenge perspectives, and offer profound insights into the human condition. She’ll guide you through the societal commentaries and the sheer brilliance of performances that make the Asian and ASEAN landscape so compelling.