November 15th 2024.
SZA, the famous pop star, recently faced a difficult time during her performance at Glastonbury. She confesses that she was initially hesitant to be a headliner for the event, as she felt that no matter what she did, it would not be enough to please the audience. Despite her fears, she took on the challenge and became the closing night headliner at Glastonbury 2024. However, her performance was met with technical difficulties, causing some backlash online.
The 35-year-old singer, whose real name is Solána Imani Rowe, experienced issues with her audio on stage, making it sound muffled and distorted. This led people to label her set as "disastrous." In a heart-wrenching post on social media after the event, SZA expressed how the pressure to perform in front of a live audience can be overwhelming. She stated, "The bravery required to be alive in public is remarkable."
In a recent interview with British Vogue, SZA opened up about the immense pressure she felt during her Glastonbury performance. She revealed, "I just felt like nothing I could do would be enough for Glastonbury, no matter what I did. It scared me." She also shared that she was the only third Black woman to headline the Pyramid Stage after Beyonce in 2011 and Skunk Anansie's Skin in 1999. This added to her pressure and made her feel like she was under a microscope.
Being the second Black soloist in history to headline at Glastonbury was a "tall order" for SZA. She knew that no matter what she did, she would face criticism because of who she is. However, she acknowledged that this is a part of life and that she had to push through it. SZA also admitted that she started "freaking out" during her performance when she couldn't see the faces of the crowd. She recalls thinking, "I'm scared. I feel like I'm drowning on stage and I feel like I'm failing."
Despite the challenging experience at Glastonbury, SZA found solace in a sign from the Caribbean spiritual practice Santeria. In the midst of her struggles, she saw a sign that read "Maferefún. I love you." For her, this was a reminder that her guardians are always with her, and she should keep going. SZA believes that this sign came from the Yoruba and Santería water deity Yemaya.
Despite being one of the most influential artists in the industry, SZA's performance at Glastonbury drew one of the smallest crowds. However, she has had much success in her career, with her album SOS remaining on the Billboard 200 for nine non-consecutive weeks, making her the first female artist to achieve this since Adele in 2016. Despite this, SZA announced a break from live music to "get her life together" just weeks after her controversial Glastonbury performance. The struggle to stay in the music industry has been a constant battle for her.
SZA shared her ongoing battle with anxiety and her doubts about her place in the music industry. She questions whether she is meant to be famous and if God would put her in this position if she wasn't supposed to be doing it. Despite her reservations, SZA continues to rise to the occasion and push through the struggles she faces. She acknowledges that it is not always easy, stating, "Please, the occasion is beating my ass."
Although her Glastonbury set did not go as planned, SZA has had successful live performances in the past. Just a week after Glastonbury, she gave an incredible performance at BST Hyde Park in London, which was highly praised by fans and critics alike. In a four-and-a-half star review, Metro described her show as "virtually flawless" and praised her live vocals.
Despite her struggles with the music industry, SZA has a new album, Lana, set to be released soon. Fans can expect a different aesthetic from her previous music, as she shares that she is making music from "a more beautiful place" rather than a place of angst. She also reflects on her past experiences and how they have shaped her music, stating, "I'm not identifying with my brokenness. It's not my identity. It's shit that happened to me." SZA's new album is set to be released before the end of autumn.
For the full feature, check out the December issue of British Vogue, available through digital download or on newsstands from November 19. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can get in touch with The Agency entertainment team by emailing them, calling, or visiting their website. They would love to hear from you.
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