* 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒔 / 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 .

Hey guys, Violet here. Just wanted to air some grievances about some kids around my campus who clearly are still sore that they were not successful in their VA auditions. I know rejections sucks, but I'm not sure how shoulder-checking me in the hall and muttering 'show choir nepo baby scum' as they go past is going to make the offers that went out any different. Kind of not awesome for me personally.

jeez, i didn't realize even vocal adrenaline kids got bullied for being in show choir. guess there's really just no cool way of being involved in this stuff, huh?

group text 📲 blamtina

group text 📲 blamtina

group text 📲 blamtina

Right? I really don't think it is, either. And yes, a billboard! Can you believe it? We were just walking down Fifth Avenue and there he was, front and center. And then again on a bus! Which, excuse me, mind blown!?!? I always knew he would be going places but to see it in real life had to be the best birthday present.

you guys already saw it without me??? thanks for the invite. 🙄

Just being in New York and really living that whole atmosphere is literal heaven. It's so unlike Ohio. It's like, sure, the subway isn't great, and occasionally somebody will give you the stink eye or yell at you even from across the street, usually the homeless, but that's all a part of the Big Apple charm. Did Sam tell you he got himself onto a billboard? My brother's always telling me to go to LA but then anytime I'm in the city I just know I'm destined for the East Coast.

i totally get what you mean. i've only been twice in my life, and once was when i was too little to remember, but there's just something about that city. ...maybe that's just rose-colored glasses talking, but i don't know. i don't think it is.

You know I could never forget Miss Tina Cohen-Chang! You're like, the one person who helps me maintain my sanity. I'm also still very much hoping that one day, you'll be right there in New York beside me.

good. i'm holding you to that.

mmhm. they know nothing about women, so they just assume we're all the same. ...or maybe they just want us to all be the same. either way, it's totally infuriating. i mean, don't get me wrong, i like a lot of pop music too, but to just assume that's the only thing any girl wants to listen to? it's totally sexist.

Awww, thanks Tina! You have no idea how much it means to hear you say that. I wish I could say I outsold her. Unfortunately for me, I'm still tragically stuck in Ohio and not making it big elsewhere. Even if I'm hoping that will change when I finally make it to New York and hopefully finally get accepted into Juilliard.

you're totally going to be a superstar, i don't doubt it for a second. ...just don't forget about us little guys when you make it big, promise me.

I know that. I know! I mean, why should we inflict expectations of absolute perfection on our favorite pop artists when we oftentimes struggle to attain such perfection as performers ourselves? I know I certainly struggle with my own excessive need to constantly be pushing the boundaries. It’s not easy to always be criticized. Then again, Teenage Dream used to be my entire personality. That song? On piano? I’d just really hate to think that Katy is now considered passé when she’s literally paved the way for so many great pop songs and artists. 

no offense to katy, i'm a fan too, but i think i like your version of the song more. it always had more soul to me. just because she may no longer be great - and, for what it's worth, we don't totally know that yet, there's still time for her new stuff to be awesome - it doesn't mean you're no longer great. maybe you've just... outsold her. and, like i (and you) have said, she's got the backlog. should she have quit while she was ahead? maybe. or maybe she'll surprise us all and come out with the album of the year. there's no point in worrying about it until we've heard the whole thing.

Does it ever physically stress anyone out when one of your favorite artists or the artist that you're known for performing songs by is about to embark on a new musical era? And the internet is full of videos telling you the few seconds of song they released on social media are just not good and you really want to support them, deeply, but then what if it is not good? What if the internet's right, and everyone who's been throwing comments at me in the hallways? I know there are far bigger, more important issues at hand but these are the inner workings of my mind and I hate that we're all still having to wait this long for the full release.

blainey, if this is about katy perry, it's okay to admit that her new snippet is just not good. she has tons of amazing tracks in her discography... i think she's allowed to flop every once in awhile. it's not a reflection on you, just because you're a fan. ...but i get what you mean. it is a little embarrassing when you've been hyping someone up, just for them to turn around and come out with something awful.

if it makes you feel any better, i don't think it's just a blonde thing. sadly, i think it's just how they treat women in general. i can show up in a hardcore goth look, crazy eyeliner and everything, and they'll still direct me to the taylor swift section, as if she's the only artist a girl could possibly like. i've never seen people have a worse combination of being terrible at their jobs, and the biggest egos on the planet, than record store employees. ...except for maybe guitar center employees.