Charli XCX has shared her thoughts on collaborating with Ariana Grande and how the experience has shaped her perspective.
The two artists teamed up for a re-released version of Charli's track Sympathy Is a Knife, using the song to explore the challenges they face in the fiercely competitive music industry.
“She had a lot to say,” Charli, 32, told Variety. “We went back and forth on the lyrics, discussing all the knives we’ve both felt in this industry.”
The Von Duch singer also revealed that Grande, 31, inspired her to branch out beyond music. Following Grande's advice, Charli took on new challenges, including hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live last month.
“She’d just done (SNL) and absolutely nailed it, so she gave me tips,” Charli said. “She told me, ‘You’re going to be amazing, just relax, it’s so much fun.’”
Charli, who has been expanding her creative pursuits, is set to appear in several upcoming films, including Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex and a remake of Faces of Death directed by Daniel Goldhaber.
Reflecting on her transition into acting, Charli explained, “Everything I’ve done so far has been relatively small, and I’m loving the process of learning on set and working with talented directors and actors. I can’t stand when musicians dive headfirst into a new field without doing their homework. I’ve spent the last three or four years reading and studying to prepare before taking the plunge.”
