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Ever heard of art imitating life...imitating art? It's certainly relatable for singer-songwriter Khloe Rose—whose new single "The Other POV" (streaming today!) was inspired by a love triangle on a throwback TV show. 

"I was 16 and watching One Tree Hill and the love triangle between [characters] Brooke, Peyton and Lucas," reflects Khloe, now 18. "I hated the trope of love triangles growing up. I still do. Because it's that insecurity of feeling like someone isn't getting chosen. There's always somebody who's not meant to be there because those two people are going to end up together at the end."

Funny enough, two years later as she's about to release the song (her second single since her first, "Fictional," was a viral hit), the lyrics have hit even closer to home. 

"As I got older, I saw myself put into that situation, where someone is obviously not over another person, and they're using you in the meantime, to wait for that person to come back," Khloe admits. "It's a really disappointing and shameful feeling."

Thankfully for all of us, Khloe's no stranger to turning her feelings into straight-from-the-heart (and sometimes genuinely gut-wrenching) songs, in the style of some of her fave artists (Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo and Maisie Peters come to mind). We asked Khloe all about "The Other POV"—plus how she got the courage to start sharing her secret passion, going viral on TikTok and what's coming next. 

@khloerrose

Girls' Life: Have you been singing for a long time?

Khloe: Singing was always my thing. I told my parents from a really young age that was what I was going to do. But I grew up in a really small, isolated little town in Northern California called Grizzly Flats. That's where I still live. I started doing theater because there weren't many opportunities to perform. Then, when I was a sophomore in high school, quarantine hit and that outlet went away. That's when I started posting on TikTok. 

GL: And has songwriting always been an outlet, too?

Khloe: I hadn't shown anyone my songwriting for so many years. My singing teacher, who had known me for [years], finally coaxed it out of my when I was 15 or 16. She made me feel like it was important and really gave me that push to start showing people.

GL: Wow, and then your song "Fictional" goes viral on TikTok soon after that.

Khloe: That was a crazy moment. I had just started showing people my music. I wrote "Fictional" at midnight—my songwriting brain works between midnight and 3 a.m. It was just a silly little hook I came up with and sent to my friend and she was like, "You need to post this!" So I did. We woke up the next morning and I had gained, like, 20,000 followers. I could not believe it. 

GL: What inspires you to write a song?

Khloe: I've never felt like a super elegant speaker. I've always felt kind of behind, like I'm fumbling for words all the time. But I find that songwriting is my way to say things in the exact way that I want them. I know it'll come out right. 

GL: Your second single "The Other POV" comes out today. What do you hope people feel when they listen for the first time?

Khloe: I hope that it's a comfort, in a way. I have a fan base of young girls and I know how it feels when artists that I love and look up to talk about these shameful or embarrassing moments or feelings. I want my listeners to know that it's normal. When you're in high school, it feels like you're falling behind if you're not falling in love or getting heartbroken or having your first kiss. But that's just not how it happens for everyone. 

GL: That's a super relatable experience.

Khloe: Obviously I love to write about love. I don't feel like I've ever been in love. I've never been in a relationship. But it's something I love to write about and that I've always been fascinated by. But I definitely want to push those stories of the haze of growing up, being in high school and not really understanding [who] you are...whether that's centered around falling in love or not. I struggle with anxiety, and that's something I want people to be able to see through my music, too.

GL: How does that anxiety play into your music career?

Khloe: There was a point in my life where I resented performing a little bit. It felt embarrassing and I struggled with that. I finally got that love back as I got older. I think the most wild feeling has to be hearing other people sing the lyrics that I wrote. So I truly do love it. 

GL: Sooo is a Khloe Rose tour in our future?

Khloe: I would love to tour one day. I'm an avid concertgoer and I love music and seeing people perform. So to be in front of an audience, of any size, hearing them singing back my words and knowing how they feel...biggest dream. I'm really lucky for having this opportunity and I feel like I've built a relationship with the people who listen to my music and I'm excited to connect more. 

GL: Finally, what's the best advice you'd give someone in high school right now, going through some of the things you went through?

Khloe: When you're in high school, everything feels so important, earth-shattering sometimes...which is valid. But the only thing that's going to alleviate that feeling of insecurity or not being chosen is giving it time and growing up. Sometimes it has nothing to do with you. I struggled with that—telling myself that someone might just not want me, it has nothing to do with me. You'll definitely find people who are going to be a part of your life for a long time, whether that's friends or a relationship. It's really just about being nice to yourself, forgiving yourself easily and not being so critical. You're definitely not the only one who feels like they're losing. And just wait it out. 

Stream "The Other POV" now!

In need of more musical inspo? Check out these stories:
🎵 EXCLUSIVE! Halle Bailey is making history as Disney's first Black live-action princess
🎵 3 song lyrics that *perfectly* sum up what it feels like to have a crush
🎵 EXCLUSIVE! Benson Boone won't break your heart, but he will buy you coffee cake

Top and slider image: @khloerrose

by Katherine Hammer | 6/2/2023