INTERVIEW: Rudi
By Zoë Brian
A powerhouse vocalist shaking up the R&B world, 24-year-old Rudi shot to fame on the ABC spinoff music and dating reality competition show, The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart. Though her time on the show was cut short when her relationship ended, Rudi has taken her heartbreak in stride, turning her focus toward her solo career.
Her latest song, “Stupid Boy,” combines playful lyrics with the soulful sound she is known for and fits in seamlessly with her other singles. Reminiscent of Ariana Grande and Normani, Rudi’s music is lush and sincere, using slow and sultry beats to support her breathy sound. With a smooth, unforgettable voice, relatable lyrics, and over ten years of experience in performing, Rudi is one to watch.
You’re an artist who found fame on the reality dating series, The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart, but your love of music goes back to when you were a child. You began performing onstage at the young age of 2; how old were you when you started writing and why do you feel it’s important to write your own songs?
I started seriously writing only about 2 years ago. I grew up writing poems; I always loved writing, but I just never believed in myself as a songwriter and I didn’t think I could do it. Until one day, I wrote a song and was like, “wow that's pretty good.” Now that I write my own music, I can't see myself singing or performing things that other people have written for me. [I’m] not saying I will never do that again, [but] it’s just different when you write something—it is coming from you and you are gonna be able to really convey that emotion you felt while writing. When someone else writes a song, maybe you can relate to it, but not as much as if it were coming from your own heart.
Can you talk us through your writing process a bit? Is it lyrics before music or music before lyrics? Do you usually start with a certain phrase or a specific part of the song?
I have no process. I just write how I’m feeling, pick up a guitar, hear a guitar part or hear a melody or notes, and do whatever I’m feeling.
So far, you’ve released 3 singles in the past few months. Are there plans for an album in your future? What can we expect to hear going forward?
For right now, definitely more singles and music videos. I want to release an album one of these days, but I want to follow it up with a tour and, obviously, that can’t happen right now, so I'm saving that for the right time.
What made you decide that a reality show was the best platform for your music?
I didn't really know it was going to be the best platform. I went in saying it actually may end up being the worst thing to do. Thankfully, it wound up being a great thing and a great experience, but I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be going in.
Being on the reality show skyrocketed your following. You currently have over 220K followers on Instagram. What did it feel like to have that instant fanbase?
It feels really good. I mean, I have been working towards this goal for a long time, so, it is nothing that is out of nowhere and it is something I was ready for. It’s really great and I'm appreciative of the opportunity.
Women in the public eye and in the entertainment industry face a lot of online criticism, from trolling to death threats. How are you handling the sudden influx of attention—whether positive or negative—for simply doing what you love?
I just, you know, take it for what it is. If it is positive, I am very grateful and I like to talk back to the people that try to talk to me and let them know I appreciate them. When it comes to the negative things, it's sad and I try to remind myself that that person is hurting and it’s nothing against me. There are, unfortunately, some miserable people out there and they have nothing else better to do than sit at their computer and talk shit. So, you know, it’s really just- it doesn't really affect me. Some things you see and it sucks but it sucks for 5 seconds and you remember it’s a person sitting behind a computer and think, “Eh whatever.”
Would you call yourself a feminist? What is it about your music that you think speaks to the modern woman or girl?
Yes, 100%. I’m a strong person and, growing up, people didn’t like that—guys didn’t like that, managers I worked with didn’t like that. The industry I work in is predominantly male, so I learned from a young age that I have to be a strong person and I have to fight for what I want. That's who I am and what comes across in my lyrics and my music. I definitely want younger women and women my age or women older than me—whatever age they are—to not be afraid of being that strong person. Go for what you want and stand up for what you want.
You had a unique experience being on The Bachelor. Have you found it more difficult to be in quarantine or to be on a reality show? Do you feel like the rules and restrictions of a reality show prepared you for quarantine?
I wish, but definitely not. The reality show was with a bunch of hot people and I got to make out with hot guys! So, yeah, not doing that now...so, I would much rather be filming right now than sitting at home and doing nothing.
Speaking of quarantine, how has it affected your writing process and the content of your songs? Do you find yourself feeling more or less motivated to write? Have you found that your subject matter has changed or shifted?
It is a little harder to find inspiration during this time, but there is still so much I haven't written or talked about in my music that I want to share. Quarantine has given me a good time to do that.
Quarantine has been a time of reflection for many. Have you found yourself reflecting on anything specific, and how does that come through in your writing?
A big thing for me is wanting to be in a relationship and that’s been hard because I'm definitely a relationship-type person and I can’t date right now. So, that’s been hard, but it's good for me to be alone right now and not be dating. I actually think I need that right now as a human being. I need to learn how to just be alone and not need someone. So, that has been a big thing and has definitely inspired a few songs within that topic.
Finally, just for fun, what does your signature quarantine mask look like?
It’s pretty boring, but my little sisters have been making masks, so sometimes I steal from them. My favorite is a cute little pink mask.
You can follow Rudi on Instagram @itsjustrudi and check out her singles on any of your favorite streaming platforms.