‘Energized and Humbled’ by the Success of ‘Villain,’ Lily Rose Says She’s ‘Just Getting Started’
Rising singer/songwriter Lily Rose is carving her own path to success and she’s ready to make her mark on the…
Lily Rose; Photo by Anthony Stone
Rising singer/songwriter Lily Rose is carving her own path to success and she’s ready to make her mark on the country music genre.
Rose turned heads in late 2020 with her debut single, “Villain.” After sharing a clip of the song, which she co-wrote with Mackenzie Carpenter and Kyle Clark, on TikTok, fans begged Rose to release the full track. The preview hit 1 million views in less than 24 hours and a subsequent clip reached the 1 million mark in just 13 hours.
After releasing “Villain” independently, it gained major traction on social, streaming and sales platforms. Upon its release, “Villain” shot to the top of the iTunes all-genre chart and stayed there for several weeks, even beating out Taylor Swift’s latest releases for a number of days.
The instant success of the track garnered interest from Nashville record labels and within a few weeks, Rose landed a joint-venture record deal with Big Loud Records, Back Blocks Music and Republic Records.
“To say I’m excited and humbled to be a part of the Big Loud/Republic family is an understatement. You move to Nashville to sign deals like this, make music videos like these, and write the best songs possible,” the Georgia native shared when her label deal was announced. “Hell, we’re just getting started.”
While it may seem like she’s on the fast track to the top, Rose has actually been working at this for over a decade. Now, with a team behind her, she’s focused on writing the best songs and hopefully bringing “Villain” to country radio.
We recently caught up with Lily Rose to chat about her viral success, the story behind “Villain” and more. Check out our exclusive Q&A below.
What inspired you to pursue a career in country music?
The songwriting, hands down. Since I got my driver’s license at 16 and started listening to country music, I’ve been sonically drawn to the format as a consumer. But the commercial songwriting and storytelling are what made me want to pursue an artist and songwriting career in country music.
Who are some of your biggest influences?
Bruce Springsteen’s energy and storytelling, Maren Morris’ truth, and Sam Hunt’s swag.
What led you to decide to share your music on TikTok?
I saw friends of mine who had had success getting label attention, so I got on towards the end of October after NOT getting on for months. The music started connecting slowly, but it wasn’t until “Villain” that we really saw traction and connectivity.
Can you share the story behind “Villain?”
I think we’ve all been in relationships – not just romantic, but all types of relationships- where you think something ends cordially/amicably and then the other person decides to trash your reputation as a result. Villain is about “making yourself the bad guy if you NEED one” and taking the high road every single time until the truth is finally revealed.
What was your reaction to the overwhelming response the song is receiving?
I’m energized and humbled by it! I’m seriously so overwhelmed with gratitude and fired up to get some more music out there.
It seems as if you had overnight success, but I’m guessing that’s not the case. What were you doing before “Villain” gained traction?
Man- I’ve been working at this for 13 years. I’ve been writing songs since I was 15, and professionally chasing the artist thing down for 8 years. I’ve worked 10+ part-time jobs, routed my own tours and written songs hoping that one day I could sign a record deal.
I love how honest and open you are on Instagram. Is that important to you, to be like an open book to your followers?
Authenticity is the most important thing to me and my career. Songs are second, but as long as I’m always open and honest, my fans will hopefully continue to respect me and grow.
What are some things on your artist “bucket list?”
I cannot wait to get on the road again to tour. I would love to be a part of an arena or stadium tour within the next few years, as well as put out a killer record. Awards are nice too!
Aside from music, what are some of your hobbies?
Sports! My girlfriend wants to kill me sometimes with the amount of football and hockey I watch. We love going out with friends and eating/drinking around Nashville! I also love working out, it’s something I have to do daily to stay sane.
What’s next for you?
Hopefully some new music soon! The music video just dropped, and I can’t wait to do some more of those, too. Once we can safely tour again, that will be at the top of my list as well!
Fans can keep up with Lily Rose on Instagram.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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