Dasha Talks Turning Online Hate Into Fuel For Authenticity And Empowerment

Dasha is getting candid about her commitment to being a positive role model for her younger listeners, sharing that the constant stream of online hate has only fueled her determination to stay true to her authentic self.

“You’re trashy.” “You have no class.” “You suck at singing.” These are the kind of messages that have consumed Dasha’s life since launching into the spotlight in the next generation of rising country stars. While on stage, it seems that her confidence is at an all-time high, the singer/songwriter appeared on Rolling Stone’s podcast to admit that behind closed doors it’s hard not to let the countless opinions get to her.

“I feel so grateful to be in the position I am, and it’s really hard on you and it takes a lot out of you, and I just needed it to be being a role model for especially young girls and showing like, ‘Hey, you don’t have to be perfect. It’s actually really beautiful not to have it all together,’” she revealed.

Finding Light In The Negativity

Instead of letting the hurtful words get to her, she’s found clever ways to clap back at online trolls.

“People call me Trailer Swift online and guess what I’m doing, making merch out of it because f**k you guys,” she added.

“‘You’re trashy’ and ‘you have no class’ and ‘you’re slutty’ and ‘you’re a whore’ and ‘your outfits suck’ and ‘you’re ugly’ and ‘you try so hard’ and ‘you suck at singing’ and ‘you suck live.’ ‘You should go to hell.’ ‘Cellulite.’ ‘Oh my God, those shorts. Your ass is sticking out.’ It cuts deep. The trolls can be trolling,” she said, listing off even more of the commendatory she receives on a regular basis.

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This perspective is especially relatable in an era where everyone is exposed to instant judgment online with the use of social media. Dasha acknowledges that whether it’s praise or hate, no one is meant to absorb that many opinions about herself at once.

“I don’t think we’re meant to as a species or I don’t think we’re meant to hear that many opinions about ourselves, good or bad. I’m not supposed to hear like, ‘oh, you’re so pretty’ a thousand times a day either, and I’m also not supposed to hear ‘You’re a whore,’” she added.

Lessons That Came From Her Rapid Rise To Fame

Dasha’s career “went from zero to 100” after her breakout hit, “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” went viral in 2024. In the whirlwind that followed, she learned to trust her gust, realizing there was no time to stop and hesitate. With a supportive team behind her, a huge weight was lifted from her shoulders, allowing her to focus on connecting with fans by showing up authentically online and fully owning who she is.

“I think I’m learning to for sure. I think at first I was really afraid to show my personality, and now those are the videos that do the best for me, funny enough, are the ones that I’m just fu**ing around,” she acknowledged. “I think the more you treat social media like you’re on FaceTime with someone or you’re texting someone a video or whatever it is, the better it is. I think there’s been so much pressure in the past, especially on Instagram, to be so perfect and have it all lined up and aesthetic and the perfect casual caption that no one really cares, but it’s really curated.”

The California native continues to share snippets of her life with currently includes glimpses into her new EP, Anna, dropping in October and her time on the road for the Welcome to Dashaville Canadian Headline Tour.

New EP Dropping Soon

Of the upcoming project, Dasha explained that this collection of songs will serve as part one of a two-part self-titled album.

“’Anna’ is the first part. ‘Dasha’ will be the second part coming out next year,” she told the outlet. “And ‘Anna’ is all about who I am at the core and kind of the part that got skipped over because ‘Austin’ got so big so fast, and I became known worldwide as ‘The Boots Girl,’ which was so cool, but people started filling in blanks, and I feel like I didn’t have the chance to fully tell my story of who I am and why I am the way I am and where I come from and all the things that make me me, and all the little quirks of my personality.”

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Fans can expect these songs to showcase new sides to Dasha’s personality, from her playfulness to her wholesomeness as well as the more vulnerable emotions that come with growing up.

“It just kind of tells the whole story of who I am at the core,” she emphasized.

This Friday, Sept. 19, she will unveil “Train” the next track to share a look into the Anna EP. 

A full list of upcoming tour dates can be found on Dasha’s official website.