Charli XCX Discusses Creative Collaboration with Matty Healy Amidst Past Controversies

The British singer and songwriter Charli XCX, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison, recently spoke about her collaborative experiences with fellow musician Matty Healy of The 1975. In an interview ahead of the release of her Brat remix album, XCX described her relationship with Healy as deeply fraternal, despite occasional frustrations. “He’s like my brother now,” she stated. “And I hope he wouldn’t mind me saying this but I have an endless amount of respect for him as a songwriter and him as a person. But I sometimes want to strangle him.”

The singer’s comments come in the wake of Healy’s involvement in a controversial performance at Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival in July 2023, which saw him make a speech about homosexuality, subsequently sharing an on-stage kiss with bandmate Ross MacDonald. The incident led organizers Future Sound Asia to cancel the event and initiate legal proceedings against the band, demanding £1.9 million for breach of contract and resulting losses.

XCX expressed admiration for Healy’s artistic risks, stating, “I think that show is a little divisive, but I think great art is divisive.” Despite the controversies surrounding Healy, XCX’s respect for The 1975’s creative process remained evident. She noted, “Even before being with George [Daniel, The 1975’s drummer], years ago, I’ve always been such a fan of their work.”

The upcoming Brat remix album, which is set to feature The 1975, showcases XCX’s continued collaborative efforts within the music industry. The album includes guest appearances from high-profile artists such as Ariana Grande, Bon Iver, and Billie Eilish. XCX, whose recent album Brat and It’s Completely Different but Also Still Brat is scheduled for release on October 11, aims to continue pushing creative boundaries through these partnerships.