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Influencer and entrepreneur Katie Sturino is spreading powerful body-positivity messages
industry when I was really young, so fi nding my sound is something I’ve had to do while also growing up. I’m constantly learning and trying to evolve, and experimenting with new things.
You’ve also made it a point to let people know you’re an independent artist with no label affi liation. How did you come to make that decision?
I was signed with a label [Island Records] for a long time, and I just felt like I was really never in control or had any say in how it would come together. I have such a voice and I like to be hands- on with everything… like literally, I’m editing my own cover art for my new single right now as we speak. I do everything myself, with my team. Now being independent, I get to call the shots and it feels really right. It’s just better for me.
People would even tell me I couldn’t cuss on the internet! Which, I mean, I guess is a good thing… [laughs] But also to me that was changing who I was and how I wanted to express myself. I was tired of having to be so cautious with what I said and what I did; I was putting out an image of myself that wasn’t authentic. I was pushed into a box of being hyper-self-aware and quite critical of myself for someone at my age. I defi nitely was forced to grow up faster than the average kid, but in some ways I’m grateful for it, because now I’m way more in tune with myself.
How has the music industry been treating you since?
I think people get pretty hyped about it! And that’s one of my main motivators right now – the feeling that people are excited about it.
Let’s say you were to be given a total image overhaul – a completely clean slate for the world. No one knows who you are or your past… So now, who is Madison Beer and what would she want to be remembered for?
That’s so hard! I think kind-hearted is one of the main things I want to be aligned with. No matter what mistakes I’ve made, what path I go down or what music I make, I want people to remember me and go, “But damn, that girl had a good heart!” #
CHIC IS WHEN A WOMAN IS IN HARMONY WITH HERSELF GIAMBATTISTA VALLI