Back in March,Camila Cabellodropped I Luv Itand it landed on the Internet like a grenade.
(Specifically, Cabello frenetically singing I love it over and over…and over.)
Was this hard pivot in both image and sound a truly authentic reflection of Cabello, the person?
Photo: Julian Burgueño
Or is this the record she was always working towards, but never quite felt brave enough to make?
Very much the latter, it turns out.
(It also marked her first single since changing record labels.)
Photo: Julian Burgueño
ButC, XOXOrewards repeat listening.
How closely is thatC, XOXOcharacter related to the real Camila?
Its a kind of heightened version of me, she says.
Ive always listened to other artists for that feeling.
Now 27, Cabello has spent over half of her life in the public eye.
Maybe thats not true for everyone actually, but I feel like thats been the case for me.
I just let my curiosity lead me a bit, she says, laughing.
The only bad thing is now Im addicted to changing my hair.
Im like, What can I do next?Whencan I do it?
I definitely think that getting older is underrated, says Cabello.
I feel calmer, I feel less anxious.
I think its because Im learning.
I work really, really hard at feeling better and feeling good.
Some of those people had a direct hand in the record.
I love the risk-takers.
They both really poured their hearts into this project too, she adds.
I think we all feel like its our baby, in different ways.
The word Cabello returns to when discussing the project isweird, andC, XOXOcertainlyisthat.
I just feel so proud of it, says Cabello, firmly.
Where better to celebrate than that?
That would be my best present to myself: sleeping for 22 hours with my dogs cuddling with me.
Which is the leastC, XOXOanswer I could have ever given you, but thats the truth.
