Pop’s latest it girl Olivia Lunny is stepping into her confidence — and heels — with her sultry new single “Marilyn,” the official lead track from her highly anticipated upcoming album. And trust us, besties, this one is a total ~confidence anthem~ that you’ll want blasting while getting glam for girls’ night out.
“I was just in the studio so many days writing a bit darker, deeper stuff,” Olivia tells Celeb Secrets exclusively over the phone. “Then one day we were in L.A., it was daytime, I was with a really fun group of people and we just had so much fun writing this confidence anthem… we were like, who’s an iconic female we can really channel? And Marilyn came top of mind.”
The track taps into the glamorous energy of Marilyn Monroe, not so much about the starlet herself — but the empowerment she represents. “It’s just about the essence of her and the confidence she represents,” Olivia explains. “Even when I listen to the song now, it literally helps me channel that exact energy.”
If you’ve been following Olivia’s journey, you already know she’s no stranger to a glow-up. She had her U.S. Top 40 debut in 2023 with her hit “TIMEZONE,” one of the rare independent records to climb the charts that year. Since then, she’s been quietly cooking up a new sound that blends infectious pop with emotional depth — and she’s finally ready to serve it.
“I feel like I’ve just truly evolved so much with age,” she says. “I started writing songs when I was 12 and I’m 26 now… The biggest difference would probably just be my actual sound. It started super acoustic folk, then became pop, and now it’s gone full circle — kind of Miley meets Solána vibes.”
While past music leaned into heartbreak, her new work leans inward. “Historically it’s always been about heartbreak or boys… but for this album, there’s actually quite a few songs that are more about a relationship with myself,” she reveals. “Me exploring religion, healing… it’s been really interesting to dive deeper.”
Olivia’s new album — out this summer — is more than just a collection of songs. It’s a full-fledged era.
“I really wanted to have certain topics and create this whole world of velvet and denim,” she teases. “From what I wear to how I dress — it’s a whole thing. A whole era in itself.”
The album is split into two distinct vibes: a sparkly, flirty Velvet side (cue “Marilyn”) and a more emotional, introspective Denim side (see previous single “Heaven”). The title track “Velvet and Denim” holds special meaning for the artist, too.
“I actually wrote a song called ‘Velvet and Denim’ when I was 18. It wasn’t a very good song, but I always loved the title,” she laughs. “Fast forward eight years, I came across that idea again and it sparked the entire album. It’s crazy how it came full circle — good things truly take time.”
She even named her favorite lyric from the project: “Baby, we’re velvet and denim.” “It encapsulates so much without saying tons,” Olivia says. “It’s about being opposites to somebody, but still fitting together.”
And what’s an album rollout without a killer stage moment? Olivia is kicking off her festival run with a major debut: Governors Ball 2025 in New York City!
“I’m so excited. It’s actually my first kind of major festival,” she gushes. “Then I’m headed to the UK and Europe for six or seven more festivals… and I’m opening up for Justin Timberlake in Ireland this summer!”
She’s slowly crafting her new live setlist — a mix of fan favorites and brand-new bangers. “Obviously my heart wants to play all the new stuff,” she laughs. “But I know fans want to hear the older songs too, so I’m trying to find that happy medium.”
And speaking of dreams, Olivia’s ultimate festival collab wish list includes some serious icons: “I’d have to say Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, or Post Malone,” she shares. “Not even musically — just as a fan. They make me love music.”
And what would the “Marilyn” aesthetic look like IRL? Think black and white glam, full lashes, voluminous curls, silky lingerie, and red carpet energy. “Elegant, sassy, beautiful black lingerie, full glam,” she says. “It’s literally the visualizer I did for it.”
As for what’s next? Olivia’s keeping her goals high and heels higher. “I’ve been really happy with everything so far,” she says. “But if I could manifest one thing, it’d be to play a late-night show.”
And let’s be honest — she’s got the charisma, vocals, and main pop girl energy to make it happen.
Even with a new album, major festivals, and a full-on rebrand, Olivia hasn’t forgotten where she came from. Her hometown of Winnipeg, Canada, still fuels her creativity to this day.
“I grew up where it was winter eight months of the year,” she says. “I would just sit in my bedroom and write music. I still have those voice memos — I even use some of those old ideas now. It’ll forever be in my blood.”
Olivia Lunny is living her duality — velvet and denim — and we’re so here for it. Her album drops this summer, and until then, you better be streaming “Marilyn” and manifesting a Miley collab with us.
You can connect with Olivia by giving her a follow on Instagram at @olivialunny.
