Camila Cabello was already thinking about performing her latest album even before recording it. After playing in 2018 as the opener on her friend Taylor Swift’s Reputation world tour, the young woman entered the studio to record her second album, Romance with the goal of having gigantic songs to sound great live. “I was really inspired by the great sounds of the ’80s,” she says, with a jet lag calling from London. “I just liked the drama, like Queen, where everything is so intense. I want these songs to feel amazing to play.”
While the tracks on her self-titled debut addressed her roots, relationships, and establishing herself as a solo artist separate from her group Fifth Harmony, Cabello wanted her to Romance was more focused on a concept. With great help, he fell in love with a close friend, fellow star Shawn Mendes, and channeled this novelty into singles like “Shameless” and “Cry for Me.” In his conversation with rolling stoneCabello told us about the range of love, from Mendes to Sex and the City.
Which is scarier: releasing your debut solo album or continuing that success?
My personality is quite extreme, so I’m afraid of all or nothing. With my first album I would arrive at the studio too prepared, with every song lyric written before I went in and 10 concepts and titles to [los próximos] topics. But with songwriting, the most magical moments are the ones that come when you’re not expecting them.
You turned 21 before going on the Reputation tour with Taylor Swift and Charli XCX. Did you have any crazy nights with them?
I would go to Taylor’s dressing room, but we didn’t really party, just once in the middle of the tour. We should do that when we get back together in Los Angeles.
You posted a video doing lip sync in a bathroom with the song “Fabulous” by High School Musical and you titled it “Welcome to Adulthood Everybody”. Is this a typical night for you?
My God, yes. My therapy is listening to songs from the early 2000s. I actually have a playlist that I found on Spotify: “Shut Up and Drive”, Rihanna; “My Humps”, Black Eyed Peas; “Fergalicious” [Fergie]; “Complicated”, Avril Lavigne. Whenever I feel anxious or want to make myself happy, I just put it on and sing at the top of my lungs. I am obsessed with songs from my childhood. It just makes life feel simple and fun.
You have a reputation for being extremely kind. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?
I’m sure I’ve been mean by accident, I’m so sensitive I can’t intentionally hurt someone’s feelings. I’m not saying it looks pure and super healthy, I just don’t have any recollection of it ever being able to do that.
What is the most rebellious thing you have ever done?
when i was in the group [Fifth Harmony], me and one of the girls got into a club on the first floor of a hotel for a White Party. We were like 16 or something, and if we wanted to get out of that room, we had to tell the tour manager so our security and team were looking for us at the time. There was no great answer: the last rebellious thing I did was when I was 16 years old.
You’re dating Shawn Mendes. When did your relationship change from friendship to romance?
During “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” I really bonded with him as more than just a friend. I think he did too, but we were both very young and he was experiencing the pressures of his career. I don’t think we knew what to do with those feelings. It was an awkward thing where we both appreciated each other, but we weren’t together. It was just weird. There was an energy from the beginning, but after that song, we didn’t spend as much time together. Our paths just didn’t cross romantically in that way until we started dating again and writing. For me, it just brought it back.
In your presentation of Saturday night Live, you paid tribute to Madonna inspired by what she did like Marie Antoinette at the VMAs and you dedicated your award for Best Video of the Year (2018) to her. How has Madonna influenced you?
She is a rude. I want to be more like her. I think everyone wants it.
What was it like working with Ed Sheeran on his latest album?
Sometimes you’re with people and you can see that they’re just trying to make a hit or they’re calling it out. He’s very excited about it. He kind of doesn’t stop, he just says, “Okay, what’s the next song? What’s next?”.
You can see the influence of romantic movies in your music videos. Do you have any favourites?
I’m lovin ‘it Matter of time. Have you seen her?
Not really.
You should! It’s with Rachel McAdams. It’s my favorite romantic movie; Super underrated in my opinion.
Do you have a favorite fictional couple?
Noah and Allie’s Diary of a passion.
Classic.
Rapunzel and Eugene from Tangled. I was going to say Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big [de Sex and the City], but I feel like their relationship is a bit toxic. But I still love them in their early days.
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