ARTIST TO WATCH: Audrey Hobert

Fame is a funny thing. For some, it’s transformative, elevating everyday people who once bought marinara sauce at Trader Joe’s or ordered the Three for Me at Chili’s into seemingly untouchable figures. Suddenly, they’re working out at Alo, eating wagyu French dip sandwiches in SoHo, and charming us with sound bites during press tours for their latest films or albums. 

Still, there’s a small circle of celebrities who seem remarkably unchanged by it all. The kind of people who treat fame as nothing more than an added tool, another much larger springboard to launch their talents even further. And perhaps no one in recent memory embodies that spirit of fame more effortlessly than Audrey Hobert.

Visit her TikTok page, and you’ll find a mix of fun, unfiltered videos that only add to her infectious appeal. Back in June, she posted a casual update for her fans, chatting about upcoming shows while going through her skincare routine, but not in a “GRWM” kind of way, but more like "watching your older sister wash her face while you sit on the edge of the tub" way.

That’s exactly why people are falling in love with Audrey Hobert. She’s unapologetically herself, and when she’s not posting car lip syncs, dancing like no one’s watching, and trying on hats in the middle of a 7-Eleven, she’s releasing music that feels just as spontaneous and free–spirited. TikTok user nychousewife put it best: “It gives girl carefree dancing in her room singing in  the mirror using a hairbrush as a microphone.” 

So, yeah, this is a universal feeling. Interestingly, the singer-songwriter never set out to take center stage, and that is part of what makes her so compelling. In an interview with Nylon back in May, Hobert revealed that her first love was dance, and it wasn’t until later that she discovered her natural talent for songwriting. Even then, she didn’t initially use that gift for herself but instead channeled it into writing for her best friend and former roommate, Gracie Abrams (yes, that Gracie Abrams). Up until May, that was largely what Audrey was known for – collaborating on and helping bring Gracie’s debut album The Secret of Us to life. But after its release in June 2024, Hobert admitted she was hungry for something more. And just like that, a star was born. 

She wrote and produced her debut hit “Sue Me”, and it swept across social media like a tidal wave. Just a couple of months later, the song inspired nearly 10,000 user-generated videos, thanks in no small part to its infectious lyrics. And if that weren’t impressive enough, Audrey didn’t just star in the music video -- she directed and edited it herself. The result? A vibrant showcase of her greatest strength: dancing with fiery passion and letting her magnetic personality shine through every frame. 

With an artist as original and authentic as Audrey, it’s no surprise fans are already begging for more. Lucky for us, her bestie spilled the tea.

In June, during a pit stop in Melbourne on her world tour, Gracie Abrams took a moment to gush about Audrey and all of her recent success. It was sweet and sentimental, but also charged with anticipation, especially when Gracie casually let it slip, “...it’s about to be your favorite album.”

After that hint, we were craving more music from this explosive new artist. Thankfully, we now know that Audrey's debut album, titled Who's The Clown, is set to drop TOMORROW (August 15), and you can bet we’ll be dancing through our houses, singing in the shower, and celebrating what’s sure to feel like one giant, worldwide slumber party.