ISSUE II: RHEA RAJ

“The number one thing I look for in collaborators is a shared sense of delusional faith that anything is possible.” – Rhea Raj

Reshaping pop music through culture, fashion, and authorship, Rhea Raj represents a new generation of artists defining global pop on their own terms. Indian-American, genre-fluid, and visually exacting, her work exists at the intersection of sound and image, where identity is not softened for accessibility but sharpened through purpose.

 

Rhea’s relationship with performance began early. Introduced to Bharatanatyam at the age of two by her mother, she learned storytelling through movement long before stepping into a recording studio. That foundation continues to inform her work today, shaping how she approaches music, choreography, and visual presentation as one continuous language. At fifteen, she became a finalist on American Idol, an early moment of national exposure that offered visibility without permanence, leaving space for her to evolve beyond the constraints of expectation.

The songstress’s evolution has been steady and self-directed. In 2023, Rhea was named Gold House x Spotify x AEG Artist of the Year, recognizing her growing influence across music and culture. Her breakout singles “Devil In A Dress” and “Outside” soon followed, taking on a life of their own and amassing over 100 million views on TikTok. The response was global, but the appeal remained specific, rooted in confidence, cultural clarity, and an instinctive understanding of pop’s emotional pull.

Her debut project HUNTER, released in 2024, marked a turning point. Led by “MESSY” and “HUSH,” the project introduced a more assured sonic direction, balancing vulnerability with control. The release drew attention from Vogue, Rolling Stone, Billboard, PAPER, The Recording Academy, BBC Radio 1, and 102.7 KIIS FM, where Rhea most recently brought that energy to the Wango Tango stage in Los Angeles.

Alongside the music, her visual identity has become increasingly defined. Drawing inspiration from Bollywood opulence, Rhea embraces saturated color, bold makeup, and dramatic silhouettes, treating fashion as narrative rather than ornament. This approach has positioned her as a rising style presence, leading to collaborations with MAC Cosmetics, YSL, and Fable & Mane. For Rhea, image is not an accessory to the music, but a continuation of it.

That philosophy reaches a new level on COMMOTION, her EP released in August 2025. Exploring themes of feminism, fashion, and liberation, the project traces the emotional arc of a love story that begins in chaos and ends in self-recognition. It is a record rooted in agency and transformation, signaling a new chapter rather than a reinvention for reinvention’s sake.

The era opens with “Mumbai,” releasing July 9, a track that introduces an evolved sound built on intricate melodies, flirtatious lyricism, and punchy pop-trap production. The Bollywood-inspired music video stars Rhea alongside Saagar Shaikh of Deli Boys and is directed by Jack Rottier, with creative direction by Rhea and Ramisha Sattar. Visually rich and deliberately dramatic, it reflects a world fully authored by Rhea herself.

“Haute Couture,” featuring Aliyah’s Interlude, followed as the first single from the EP, quickly becoming a pop culture moment. Viral dance videos and bold visuals offered a glimpse into Rhea’s maximalist fashion fantasy, where confidence and spectacle coexist without compromise. The project concludes with “Killer,” releasing August 6 alongside the full EP, a performance-driven exploration of power, transformation, and emotional fallout.

In between rehearsals, releases, and a rapidly expanding live schedule, FML sat down with Rhea Raj to talk about rebirth, maximalism, vulnerability, and what it means to take up space on her own terms.

FML: You have described COMMOTION as a rebirth. What were you shedding, and what version of yourself were you stepping into?

RR: With each new era, I want to allow myself the freedom of complete creativity without limitations. COMMOTION was about expressing every side of my identity, and now I want to see how far I can push myself with my sound, performance, and fashion choices with this new chapter. I finally feel unafraid to take risks and be loud.

FML: Your visuals feel as intentional as the music. When you imagine a new era, do you see the look first or hear the sound first?

RR: I’m a very visually driven artist, so for me the mood board comes first. I like to see movies and photos that will help me narrow down sonically where I want to go and what the story and overall message is for the era I’m in.

FML: Maximalism is a through line in your style. Bold makeup, dramatic silhouettes, high glam. What does taking up space mean to you visually?

RR: I’m so proud of my cultural identity and being able to share it on stages and platforms where others get to experience the beauty of it is so cool. I love wearing bindis, black henna, and traditional Indian jewelry on red carpets – those moments are powerful.

FML: Dance plays a huge role in your storytelling. How do you use choreography to say things lyrics cannot?

RR: Before making music, I trained in classical Indian dance (Bharatanatyam) which is specifically about storytelling with the hands and eyes. For my choreography as a pop artist, I focus a lot on my hands, hair movements, eyes, and using every part of my body to accentuate my music’s production and messages. Experiencing my music live makes it feel even more vibrant.

FML: Your fandom is growing fast and feels deeply connected to your visuals and messaging. What do you hope fans feel when they step into your world?

RR: I hope they feel empowered and liberated when they hear my music and see my videos. I want them to feel like the most unapologetic version of themselves.

FML: Performing at festivals like Lollapalooza and iHeartRadio marked a new level in your live career. How has your relationship with the stage evolved?

RR: It’s been so cool getting to play festivals leading up to my first headline tour ‘The Commotion Tour’ which felt like a unique world I built for my fans to experience in different cities every night. I curate every detail from sound designing my own sets, designing costumes, to creating lighting cues. Building a space where people can celebrate life, feel safe and seen is everything to me.

FML: When people look back on this era of Rhea Raj years from now, what do you hope it represents?

RR: I hope it represents breaking boundaries and pushing the limit of your potential, and what you believe is possible for yourself.

FML: You often blend vulnerability with confidence in your music. How do you decide what parts of yourself to protect versus share?

RR: This new era I am stepping into is very vulnerable, and I’m opening up a lot about my personal life experiences. I hope people feel even more connected to the stories and lyrics behind my music.

FML: You have worked with directors and creatives across genres and scenes. What do you look for in collaborators?

RR: The number one thing I look for in collaborators is a shared sense of delusional faith that anything is possible and the belief that we can make magic happen together.

While HUNTER introduced Rhea Raj as an artist commanding her voice and presence, COMMOTION expands that world with greater emotional range and intention. The project marks a chapter defined by authenticity and vulnerability, where confidence is balanced with openness and control gives way to exploration. As she steps into this next phase, Rhea Raj does so with a clearer sense of self, allowing her music, visuals, and performance to speak with a scale that feels both personal and unapologetically her own.

Rhea’s #FMLFaves :

Fave Song / On Repeat rn: I’ve been so obsessed with the new Don Toliver album OCTANE.

Fave Movie: Om Shanti Om and Mad Max Fury Road

Fave Dish: My mom’s Rasam!

What’s in your bag?: Dark brown lip liners, Jasmine perfume, my digi cam and crystal quartz. 

This season’s Must-Haves: I love an oversized fuzzy coat!

Fave Fashion Piece in your Closet: My black Danielle Guizio corset because I can wear it with anything and it always makes me feel snatched.

Fave Lyric you’ve ever written: It’s not out yet! 

Fave city you’ve performed in: I loved every city but my show at The Roxy in my hometown of LA was so magical. 

Editor in Chief : Gina Kim-Park
Photography & Creative Direction: Reinhardt Kenneth
Muse: Rhea Raj
Production Manager: Min Lee
Fashion Stylist: Lotus Beverly Hills, Aj Verma

Showroom: Lotus Recycle

Deputy Editor: Briton David

Hair Stylist: Ja’el Serrano
Make Up Artist: Emilia Werynska

DP: Hugo Arvizu

Team MissChief: Lopez Ferny

Lighting Director: Ralphy Valle
Digitech: Suimay Lee

Fashion Assistant: Liv Nemes
Key Grip: Tex The Artist