Rachel Chinouriri on Kylie, Documentaries, and Working with Levi's®
I think I spoke too soon, the sophomore album by Rachel Chinouriri, is a triumph of overcoming heartbreak, empowering growth, and self-forgiveness, after the awkwardness of your early 20s, and the awkwardness of your early 20s. It’s no wonder that the singer, who has no qualms about being vulnerable, has such a dedicated fan base. Yet what is truly special is that the Darlings - the term for Rachel Chinouriri fans - repeatedly receive as much love back as they give to the 27-year-old herself.
Last week, we were blessed to attend the second fan event that Chinouriri has held during this album rollout, this time hosted in partnership with Levi’s® and filled with additional activities like a custom photobooth, exclusive Levi’s® merch and the tastiest bright blue cocktails. After we - with all her fans - got to dance to the first listen of the new album with Rachel herself, we sat down to find out her inspirations behind the I think I spoke too soon, her recent obsessions and why Levi’s® was the perfect partner for her album launch event.
What were you listening to most when writing the album?
Kylie Minogue Fever, Madonna Hung Up, a lot of MGMT and Passion Pit. Those were the four main ones, but a lot of Chic, Prince, Donna Summer, Diana Ross - LCD Soundsystem too.
If the album was playing at a dinner party, what other records would you want to listen to?
Confessions on a Dancefloor by Madonna, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix, Permanent Damage by Joesef, The Way I Are by Timbaland
Who is on your music Mount Rushmore?
Beyonce, Rihanna and SZA. And Kylie.
What's a film you think everyone should have seen?
Moonlight! It’s one of my favourites. I love the way it’s been filmed, the fact it's about queer Black love with two men. The scene on the beach. I just remember watching it and crying, and I've not cried at many films.
What TV show are you watching right now?
Slow Horses. They need to release all the episodes. It's really pissing me off. I found it late, so I watched all the seasons, and now they are being drip fed. I need it now. But I don’t watch many TV shows, I prefer documentaries.
What’s your favourite documentary?
The Tiger King. That’s a classic, it’s up there for me. Then it’d be The Truffle Hunters - it's about Italian truffle hunters and they take that shit seriously, and it's actually really beautifully shot, but truffle hunting is really serious business.
If the album was a film, who would play the main character?
Zendaya!
What genre would it be?
Horror.
What's your favourite meme?
I love this grandma on TikTok, I have her as a Whatsapp sticker.
What made you want to partner with Levi’s® for the album launch event?
I mean, everything is blue, which is perfect and then it's like, well, Levi's®. It makes absolute sense. I grew up on Levi's®. I love a solid pair of jeans, how they can be customised to everything. I love the range that they've had over time. Also, I saw Beyonce doing adverts for them, and I was like, ‘Okay, this is iconic.’ And Doechii! When she bent over, I was like, ‘Wow, I love this.’
What is your favourite Levi’s® item that you own?
Well, now I have a custom outfit which was done for the live, and it's got blue foiling over the top and a to the floor skirt - it is one of the cuntiest things I have ever had in my life. Before that? A denim jacket. I had like a hand me down jacket from my dad and it was all baggy and worn in and just perfect.