Pop diva’s 24-hour New York minute
Singer-songwriter Charli XCX (“5 in the Morning”) is earning rave reviews as Taylor Swift’s opening act. The English star also is a headliner at W Hollywood’s Wake Up Call music festival. Born Charlotte Emma Aitchison, she spends so much of her life on the road that she has a foolproof plan for dealing with dateline changes: “Party through the jet lag. Or, if you’re not up to that, enjoy a spa day as soon as you get there and really let your body bounce back so you can make the most out of your trip.”
An edited version of our conversation follows.
A: I was lucky to be able to travel a lot as a child, but the ultimate memory was meeting Minnie Mouse at (Walt) Disney World in Orlando. I was probably about 5. I remember I just grabbed onto her leg and wouldn’t let her go. My parents had to drag me away. It was a real scene.
A: I really love being in Stockholm, particularly in the summer. There’s something really special about Swedish summers. People go wild for it. In Asia, I particularly love Seoul and Tokyo. Both are such different cities, but are similar in their killer party culture. Some of the best parties I’ve been to have been late night in Seoul. It really goes off there! Plus, I really love Korean and Japanese food.
A: In Stockholm, definitely head to Sodermalm, which is the young, hip area. There are some really good bars and restaurants around there. In Seoul, you have to go to this party (at a club) called Soap. It’s hands down the best party in town. Plus, late-night Korean barbecue is always the right decision.
A: I live part-time in Los Angeles, so it’s easy to get away for the weekend. I really love Palm Springs. I’m obsessed with midcentury modern architecture and furniture, so Palm Springs is basically my heaven on earth! I also love going to Joshua Tree to get out and about in nature and climb some rocks with friends.
Qaway with my friends. Mix that in with performing, too, and it’s really brilliant. I did a show recently in New York with a load of amazing friends and artists. We partied until 5 a.m. in this open-air rooftop bar called The Moxy, and then had Korean barbecue at 6 a.m. It was really a 24-hour New York minute!
A: Jamaica! It looks absolutely beautiful. I’m waiting to go at the right time with the right people. I want to get totally lost there, but I’m also dying to record music out there. I have a lot of friends who go out there to make records and they all say it’s such a special and fun experience.
A: I think Jamaica really is my dream trip. If I had to pick another one, I would really love to take a trip to Mexico. I would wake up on a beach every morning and then go exploring.