Ellie Goulding once said, “Anything Can Happen.” And she knew what she was talking about. Just a decade ago, Charli XCX was playing at gay clubs, Sabrina Carpenter was singing about twiddling her thumbs and whatever else that song is about, and Zara Larsson was enjoying a quick burst of global success before years of being criminally overlooked. Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, these girls were trapped in the so-called khia asylum — a pop purgatory of sorts for artists who’ve had a hit or two but slipped out of the mainstream conversation. No one could’ve predicted that a loud shade of green, a genius espresso metaphor, and a random dolphin meme would change their lives forever. But here these queens are, enjoying renewed relevance and pop domination. It’s been a thrill to watch.
Sue me if I want the same arc for some of my faves who are still locked in there for no good reason. I’m an ally of pop girls before anything else, so consider this my formal campaign to break a few more icons out of the khia asylum and back to the spotlight where they belong.
Campaigning To Get These Girls Out Of The Khia Asylum
Camila Cabello
I’ve said it a million times, and I’ll say it again: C, XOXO is one of the best pop albums of the last five years. Objectively. Please note that Jake Shane (the king of pop fans), Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers (the tastemakers of our time), and even New York Times pop music critic Jon Caramanica have also showered praise on Camila’s latest record, so if you don’t trust me, listen to them. To this day, I cannot believe this Latin-inflected, experimental, dreamy record didn’t even crack open the asylum door for Camila. #JusticeForCXOXO. A tragic number of people are missing out on “Baby Pink” and “June Gloom.”
Madison Beer
What are we doing here, folks? Madison’s escape is long overdue. Thirteen years, to be exact. This girl can serve Ariana Grande-level vocal runs, improvise addictive melodies, and write thought-provoking lyrics about heartbreak and mental health in her goddamn sleep. She’s delivered more than enough hits over the years (“Selfish,” “make you mine,” and “Reckless,” to name a few) to earn A-list status. Respectfully begging everyone to stop whatever you’re doing and go listen to locket. If you’re in the mood to sob and be changed for good, that is.
Bebe Rexha
Okay, I won’t pretend like I’m super knowledgeable about Bebe’s entire discography, but no one’s done more time in the asylum than this strong woman. And frankly, I enjoy her whole IDGAF vibe and the way she embraces the joke. (“I heard Sabrina got out. Zara, Charli, they left. They never looked back. And my fat ass flop ass is still in here,” she said in a recent voice note posted to X.) Honestly, her Dirty Blonde visual album era is very intriguing. Maybe, just maybe, this is finally Bebe’s year? Even if she doesn’t “break out,” she’s still a million times as successful as her haters, so.
Amber Mark
Olivia Dean became a global sensation right after opening for Sabrina Carpenter, so it’s only fair that Amber gets the same courtesy! Talk about a “Pretty Idea” (that’s the name of her latest album, which happens to be a disco-infused, R&B and pop masterpiece). This diva’s been grinding in the music industry for a decade now, and she’s giving us buttery vocals, sparkly pop star costumes, and certified bops. I’ve seen all I need to see. Let her out of the asylum, and give her a Grammy nom or five. Maybe a Sabrina collab would help speed up the process? Willing this into existence.
Dove Cameron
With the release of her sultry, queer single,”Boyfriend,” the asylum doors swung wide open for Dove. She got to see the world, the light — aka the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge and the AMAs stage. It was heartwarming to witness. But after the “Boyfriend” era faded, she was shoved right back in like it never happened. Fortunately, there’s a new Dove album on the way, on the heels of her top-charting, erotic Prime Video thriller, 56 Days. I last saw the former Disney star perform at a tiny venue in Brooklyn, but my gut tells me (or at least manifests that) she’s headed to Madison Square Garden next.
Griff
The British girls are at the top of their game the days. This Gen Z powerhouse writes and produces high-caliber pop music, and she casually designs and sews her own tour fits, too. Precisely the DIY pop princess excellence we need. (Can we talk about her “But Daddy I Love Him”-inspired gown?) There’s a reason why both Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter handpicked the singer-songwriter to open for them on their recent massive tours — elite talent recognizes elite talent. Griff is consistently serving fresh indie pop, pairing anthemic hooks with diaristic lyrics. Her headline era is loading, and rest assured I’ll be at those stadiums ready to scream every lyric.
