Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend Charli XCX
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Jan 26, 2026 Charli XCX, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter who rose from the UK club scene to international pop and stars in the mockumentary The Moment. She talks about nervous energy shaping her art. She recalls illegal raves and parental support. She describes writing hits for others before her own breakthrough. She discusses making Brat and satirizing fame with moral complexity in her film.
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Growing Up Between Two Worlds
- Charli XCX grew up between her Indian-Ugandan mother's family and her Scottish-adopted father's world, feeling like she belonged to neither.
- She describes weekend Bollywood family gatherings contrasted with predominantly white school life in Essex as formative and isolating.
Parents Who Chaperoned Rave Shows
- Charli's parents drove her to illegal raves and waited respectfully in the back while she performed at 4 a.m.
- They supported her musical passion but drew the line at her moving into a promoter's warehouse at 16.
Early Records, Then Breakthrough Writing
- Charli released an early critically praised record, True Romance, that sold almost nothing before she found success writing for others.
- Writing the hit "I Love It" for Icona Pop jump-started her songwriting career behind other artists.
