Cloe Wilder is fully stepping into her storyteller era, and she’s making sure you feel every moment of it. The 19-year-old folk/Americana/pop songstress has been captivating audiences since she was 14, but with her third independent EP, Life’s A Bitch (out now!), she’s proving she’s only getting started — and she’s doing it with flair, heartbreak, and just the right amount of drama.
From the moment she landed in Los Angeles, Cloe was hit with a wave of inspiration—and, let’s be real, a little existential dread. “I was feeling this really new wave of homesickness,” she tells Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview. “Life is so not a bitch at all, but I wanted at least one song to have that level of angst.”
And thus, an era was born. Cue the main character moment.
The six-track collection, written in just 10 days after her big move, perfectly captures the push and pull of growing up. “This project sort of lives in my typical sonic world, with new folk elements, but it’s a massive lyrical departure for me,” she explains to us. “Everything is a little sarcastic, and it’s a completely different take on my stories.” Translation: She’s leaning into the drama and the poetry, and we’re absolutely devouring it.
And the vibes? Straight out of a coming-of-age classic. “If my music could fit in any world and belong to any set of characters, I’d always pick The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” she reveals. “I actually recreated that tunnel scene in a video.” Iconic behavior.
From Europe to North America, Cloe has been bringing Life’s A Bitch to audiences across the globe, currently supporting Spencer Sutherland on a 26-date tour. “Touring with Spencer is my favorite thing in the world,” she gushes. “He’s such a great friend, and these crowds are absolutely perfect for me.” And her pre-show ritual? “I listen to ‘Dancing Queen’ before my set more than I would like to admit.”
Of course, no Cloe Wilder show is complete without a little emotional wreckage. “There was a little girl at my show in Nashville who knew every word to my song ‘Tallahassee,’” she shares. “I see a lot of tears during my song ‘Five Years.’ I can’t begin to explain how important that is. It’s the whole reason anyone makes anything at all.” BRB, crying in the front row.
Beyond the raw lyrics and dreamy vocals, Cloe’s also delivering a major aesthetic moment. “I’ve been loving the Marilyn Monroe-style dresses. I wear my great-grandma’s pearls every night, and that all feels very Hollywood to me,” she says. “I also love the Stevie Nicks sleeves right now. I’m always down for a good reference.” Basically, Old Hollywood meets rockstar fairy.
While she’s embracing the LA life, there are some things about her Florida roots that just won’t change. “I have to be near a beach, and I, as so many Florida residents do, have some questionable Tallahassee memories,” she jokes. We need to hear those stories immediately.
As for dream collabs? “Lana Del Rey! We’d probably hang out for a while, and I’d confess that I have her handwriting tattooed on my body. I think we’d make something pretty devastating after that.” Pretty devastating is an understatement — this would be legendary.
With Life’s A Bitch out in the world, Cloe is taking it all in and owning her moment. “Writing ‘Heavyweight Champion’ was a pretty powerful moment for me. I don’t usually give myself that much credit,” she admits.
And when it comes to any hidden details in the EP? “I want listeners to make their guesses. There’s so much Life’s A Bitch lore.” Now that’s a mystery we’re ready to unpack.
Stream Life’s A Bitch below, and catch Cloe Wilder on tour — you might just find yourself crying, dancing, and living your main character moment all at once.
You can connect with Cloe by giving her a follow on TikTok at @cloewildermusic and Instagram at @cloewilder.
