Chrissy Chlapecka
- Pop
- hyperpop
- chrissychlapecka
Last updated: 2024-08-26
Christine Nicole Chlapecka (/ʃəˈpɛkə/;[1] born April 11, 2000)[2] is an American singer, TikTok personality, and left-wing activist. She[a] is best known as a key figure in "#BimboTok", a TikTok subculture centered on reclaiming the bimbo stereotype and aesthetic in a queer, feminist, and leftist context.[3][4][5][6][7]
In advance of her debut single "I'm So Hot", Rolling Stone named Chlapecka one of "The Brightest Pop Stars to Watch in 2023", writing, "With notes of Paris Hilton's short-lived pop stardom and Britney Spears' Blackout, Chlapecka has the charisma to become the new reigning star of this year's dance floors."[8]
A year later, People ranked Chlapecka on their "Talented 2024 Spring Emerging Artists" at number four.[9]
Biography
Originally from St. Charles, Illinois, Chlapecka grew up performing musical theatre and initially intended to pursue a career in it, but ultimately decided against it.[10][11] She subsequently dropped out of college, and for a time worked three jobs to afford rent.[10] Around 2021, Chlapecka began earning enough money through social media content creation to leave her job as a Starbucks barista.[12]
TikTok
Chlapecka created her TikTok account in 2019[4] and began posting videos during the COVID-19 pandemic out of boredom. She first went viral with a reenactment of an uncomfortable encounter with a stranger at Walgreens, which quickly received over 500,000 likes.[10][12] She gained prominence on the app through late 2022, with upbeat bimbo-themed content geared toward female and queer audiences ("girls, gays, and theys")[7] and adamantly critical of capitalism and Donald Trump.[3][12] As of June 2022, she had over 4 million TikTok followers.[6]
Music
Chlapecka was featured on singer Boy Hazy's 2021 album Divinium Armor, including the single "Love In The Wind". She began teasing her own music in late 2022,[13][14] and a preview of her single "I'm So Hot" went viral on TikTok. In advance of its release, Rolling Stone named Chlapecka one of "The Brightest Pop Stars to Watch in 2023", writing that she had "the charisma to become the new reigning star of this year's dance floors."[8] The song, recorded in Los Angeles with co-writer Alexandra Veltri and producer Dallas Caton, was released on February 3, 2023.[11][15]
On January 4, 2024, Chlapecka, after releasing four standalone tracks in the preceding year, initiated the promotion of her forthcoming project. Utilizing her social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, she teased her upcoming musical venture through a five-episode miniseries of skits following the plot where she woke up to find herself stranded in a desert.[16] These skits were unveiled periodically in the days leading up to the revelation of the extended play's lead single, titled "I'm Really Pretty," released on February 27, 2024.[17][18][19] On April 3, 2024, she released the extended play's second single, "Verse." In addition to this, she announced that the EP would be titled Girlie Pop and revealed its release date to be June 5, 2024.[20]
In April 2024, Chlapecka performed the vocals for drag queen Plane Jane's finale song for the 16th season of RuPaul's Drag Race, "Bodysuit".[21] On May 15, 2024, she released the third single from Girlie Pop, "10 Boyfriends".[22][9]
Other
Chlapecka has a presence on Cameo, where she sells commissioned personalized videos.[12] From April to June 2021, Chlapecka and Craig MacNeil co-hosted the podcast Chrissy & Craig.[23] Chlapecka had previously appeared on MacNeil's main podcast, Craig & Friends.[24] Other podcasts she has appeared on include We're Having Gay Sex, Don't Let This Flop, and The Comment Section with Drew Afualo.[25] Chlapecka has hosted several live comedy shows at Zanies Comedy Club in Chicago.[12][26][27] In 2022, she appeared at Los Angeles Pride alongside Dylan Mulvaney and other TikTok creators[28][29] and at VidCon, where she participated in a panel entitled "Hot Gurlz Only" with fellow TikTokers Sarah Schauer and Drew Afualo.[30][31]
Recognition
Drag performer Bimini Bon-Boulash praised Chlapecka in their 2021 autobiography Release the Beast: A Drag Queen's Guide to Life, calling her "part of a new wave of women subverting [the] male gaze by playing up to the bimbo stereotype on camera while asserting their own feminist politics".[32]
Artistry
Style, persona, and "Bimboism"
Chlapecka's online persona and content center on reclaiming the traditionally sexist "bimbo" archetype. She has been credited, along with friend and fellow TikToker Griffin Maxwell Brooks, as one of the founders of #BimboTok, a community of similarly minded creators.[3][4][5][6][7] She adopts an intentionally hyperfeminine aesthetic in her videos, including alternately platinum blonde or dyed pink hair, sometimes in pigtails;[10][7] bold makeup and bright pink outfits that feature miniskirts, platform boots, and faux fur-trimmed coats and bralettes;[4][5][6][7][10] and a breathy falsetto speaking voice often compared to pop star Ariana Grande.[33][10][34] Her persona has been described by media outlets as a "doe-eyed, blonde-haired, pink-latex-clad, she/they viral superstar"[3] and "if Lady Gaga were your favorite barista dishing out advice and zingers,"[12] and by Chlapecka herself as "an encouraging big sister type".[12]
Chlapecka's content is often satirical, using sarcasm and irony to deliver sociopolitical commentary and messages of self-love and authenticity.[10][6][33][13] Several videos comedically depict the perceived stupidity of the stereotypical bimbo (such as inability to spell or do math)[6][7] while reframing it as a deliberate response to social and economic inequality, with lines such as "A modern-day bimbo doesn't need to know 'what a mortgage is' or 'how to file taxes,' but we do know it's time to let go those who are in prison for marijuana charges when the states that they're in have decriminalised marijuana"[4] and "I don't know what the economy is, I don't know what supply and demand is. All I know is that our problems would be solved if we'd just print more money."[6] Videos are also critical of capitalism, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, police brutality, the pro-life movement, and male chauvinists,[3][4][6][7][33][35] while voicing support for sex workers, birth control, the LGBT community, sexual liberation, and the Black Lives Matter movement.[5][7][13] Her content also includes relationship advice[3] and humorous anecdotes such as getting her "clit pierced at Claire's" and buying bisexual stuffed animals from Build-A-Bear.[33] She often ends videos with the sung catchphrase "Oh me oh my", an homage to the Slayyyter song "Mine".[15]
Chlapecka did not initially self-identify as a "bimbo", but adopted the label when TikTok commenters began using it for her in an affirming manner.[35][36] In interviews, she has presented her "bimboism" as a reclaiming of femininity and sexual autonomy,[4][5][35] as well as a rejection of social standards in favor of embracing outsiders.[37] Her outlook was influenced by celebrities like Paris Hilton, as well as an upbringing in which she was often dismissed as an unintelligent "bimbo".[35][34] She has summarized the philosophy as "Bimboism means liberating yourself, your body, and your aesthetic to be what you want them to be without the judgment of others."[35]
Musical style
Chlapecka cites hyperpop and 2000s pop music artists like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Slayyyter, Rebecca Black, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Charli XCX as musical influences.[13][11][15] She has also cited Broadway star Bernadette Peters as an early inspiration.[38] Speaking to Inked magazine, she said that her "brand as a musician is very similar to the brand I have on TikTok" and that her upcoming music would be "the storybook of my life....I want my music to reflect back and pay tribute to the girl I was in high school, because she really needed a big hug."[13] She has expressed a desire to bridge the gap between hyperpop and traditional pop music.[15] Rolling Stone described her single "I'm So Hot" as having "notes of Paris Hilton's short-lived pop stardom and Britney Spears' Blackout".[8] She has also been compared to Prince, Kylie Minogue, Nadia Oh, and Kesha.[11]
Personal life
Chlapecka lives in Chicago[10] and owns a miniature dachshund named Sugar Sparkles, which she bought in 2021.[33][39][34]
Chlapecka is bisexual[13][35] and uses she/her and they/them pronouns.[3][33] She has said there are "many fluid layers" to her gender and sexuality, and that she doesn't "necessarily identify as cis".[40] Many of her videos center around her LGBTQ identity, with Chlapecka saying, "I love when people are like, 'Stop making being gay your whole identity.' [...] That's where so much of like, my confidence in myself has come from."[10] She has also said that she was rejected by her family due to "being bi and being myself and wearing what i wear",[41] but found acceptance in Chicago's LGBTQ community.[10]
Prior to TikTok fame, Chlapecka struggled with insecurity and was in an abusive relationship, which she ended in 2020 during the pandemic.[10][13] She has several tattoos, including six butterflies and the phrase "Divine Feminine" on her ribs; the latter, her first tattoo, represents her embrace of femininity and rejection of patriarchy, and was done while she was still in the relationship.[13]
Chlapecka identifies as a feminist but has argued that much of the movement needs to be "reworked", citing issues such as the historic whiteness in many strains, heteronormativity, and the persistence of anti-trans voices.[6] She has also criticized what she perceives as the gatekeeping of activism by those in higher education, arguing that shared communal knowledge and lived experience are "just as credible as reading something from a fucking book. Go ahead, be a smart person and use that to be an activist—but don't tell me my opinion doesn't count because I don't talk a certain way, or know certain things. That's about access to education, and it's classist."[34]
Chlapecka has ADHD and anxiety,[42][43][44][33][45] and has said that, contrary to her online persona, she is "extremely introverted" in real life.[10]
Discography
All credits adapted from Spotify and Apple Music.[46][47]
Singles
Year | Title | Album | Writer(s) | Producer(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | "Sugar" | Girlie Pop | Christine Chlapecka, Alexandra Veltri, Dallas Caton | Dallas Caton |
"10 Boyfriends" | ||||
"Verse" | Christine Chlapecka, Jesse Saint John, Alexandra Veltri, Dallas Caton | |||
"I'm Really Pretty" | Christine Chlapecka, Alexandra Veltri, Dallas Caton | |||
2023 | "Affection" | Non-album singles | Christine Chlapecka, Alexandra Veltri, David Burris | David Burris |
"Brat" | Christine Chlapecka, Alexandra Veltri, Dallas Caton, Maize Jane Olinger | Dallas Caton | ||
"Head Bitch" | Christine Chlapecka, Alexandra Veltri | |||
"Alpha" | Christine Chlapecka, Evangeline Miele | David Burris | ||
"I'm So Hot" | Christine Chlapecka, Alexandra Veltri, Dallas Caton | Dallas Caton |
Extended plays
Title | EP details |
---|---|
Girlie Pop |
|
Music videos
Year | Title | Director |
---|---|---|
2024 | "Sugar" | Mikey Harmon |
"10 Boyfriends" | ||
"Verse" | Michael Arellano and Mikey Harmon | |
"I'm Really Pretty" | ||
2023 | "Affection" | Michael Arellano |
"Brat" | ||
"Head Bitch" | Mikey Harmon | |
"I'm So Hot" | Sarah Gaglione |
Notes
References
- ^ a b Spencer Hunt (Spencewuah) (March 2, 2023). THE SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOW IS FOR GAY PEOPLE Ft. Chrissy Chlapecka | Spencewuah | ILS EP 21 (Podcast). Past Your Bedtime. Event occurs at 0:47. Retrieved April 1, 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ Chrissy Chlapecka [@chrissychlapp] (April 10, 2021). "21 tomorrow..... this is gonna be a good year" (Tweet). Retrieved February 4, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d e f g Richards, Arielle (February 2, 2022). "Bimbofication Is Taking Over. What Does That Mean for You?". VICE. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Morgan, Lucy (March 15, 2022). "Bimbofication is the empowering new trend that's reclaiming the power of hyper-femininity". Glamour UK. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Sinclair, Leah (March 9, 2022). "Bimbofication: The TikTok trend focusing on self care". Stylist.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Haigney, Sophie (June 15, 2022). "Opinion: Meet the Self-Described 'Bimbos' of TikTok". The New York Times. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Dickson, E. J. (November 23, 2020). "The Bimbo Is Back. Like, for Real!". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c Spanos, Brittany (January 13, 2023). "The Brightest Pop Stars to Watch in 2023". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Avila, Daniela; Irvin, Jack (May 10, 2024). "Meet PEOPLE's Talented 2024 Spring Emerging Artists!". People. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Capoot, Ashley (February 2, 2022). "With a voice like Ariana Grande and a message of self-love, Chicago TikTok sensation aims to be a virtual big sister". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Russell, Erica (February 3, 2023). "Chrissy Chlapecka's "I'm So Hot" Is a Pro-Bimbo Anthem". Paper. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ovide, Shira (January 27, 2022). "Making Money Online, the Hard Way". The New York Times. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Preson, Devon (December 14, 2022). "Oh Me, Oh My". Inked. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ "Creator Spotlight Series: @chrissychlapecka". TikTok Newsroom. June 23, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Goldberg, Madison E. (February 3, 2023). "Chrissy Chlapecka is America's Favorite Bimbo, and Now a Pop Star With First Single "I'm So Hot"". What's Trending. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ Chlapecka, Chrissy (February 12, 2024). "Girlie Pop TikTok Playlist". www.tiktok.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ Chlapecka, Chrissy (February 6, 2024). "im really pretty out february 27th 12am PT🩷🎀 presave now!!". www.tiktok.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ Chlapecka, Chrissy (February 6, 2024). "I'm Really Pretty out February 27th 12am ET🩷🎀 presave in bio 💋". www.instagram.com. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ Chlapecka, Chrissy [@chrissychlap] (February 5, 2024). "I'm Really Pretty out February 27th 12am ET 🩷🎀" (Tweet). Retrieved February 12, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Miskell, MC; Shapiro, Rebecca (April 3, 2024). "Chrissy Chlapecka Announces Debut EP Girlie Pop Out June 5". Shore Fire Media. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ Daw, Stephen (April 25, 2024). "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Finalist Plane Jane Would Like to Remind You That Drag Should Be 'Fun and Dumb'". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ Chlapecka, Chrissy [@chrissychlap] (May 14, 2024). "it's 10 bfs day. last single til my debut ep is dropped." (Tweet). Retrieved May 15, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Chrissy & Craig on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. June 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ "129: Chrissy Chlapecka! by Craig & Friends". Anchor. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ "Chrissy Chlapecka - Top podcast episodes". Listen Notes. March 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ Chrissy Chlapecka [@chrissychlapp] (March 7, 2022). "come see ME at zanies chicago WEDNESDAY @ 8!!!!! it'll be a fun night with ME i can't wait to meet you guys!!!!!" (Tweet). Retrieved January 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Chrissy Chlapecka Chicago Shows on Do312". Do312. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
- ^ Miller, Julius (May 31, 2022). "TikTok Reveals LGBTQ+ 'Trailblazers' List in Celebration of Pride Month". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ Fong, Gigi (June 16, 2022). "5 TikTok Trailblazers Serving Hilarious Queer Content". Hypebae. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ Lalwani, Andy (June 27, 2022). "Chrissy Chlapecka Talks About Being a Big Sister Figure on TikTok". What's Trending. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ Mendez II, Moises (June 28, 2022). "VidCon: TikTok 'Hot Gurlz' discuss dating red flags and what fans get wrong about them". Passionfruit. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ Boulash, Bimini Bon (October 14, 2021). Release the Beast: A Drag Queen's Guide to Life. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-0-241-54359-7.
- ^ a b c d e f g Lee, Sophie (February 11, 2022). "Chrissy Chlapecka Is TikTok's Biggest Bimbo". Interview Magazine. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Robathan, Hannah (August 9, 2021). ""Being a bimbo doesn't necessarily mean you're a dumbass": reclaiming Bimboism with Chrissy Chlapecka". Shado Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Kearns, Sarah (April 27, 2021). "TikTok's Chrissy Chlapecka Is Redefining the Bimbo for Gen Z". Lithium Magazine. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ^ Cortés, Michelle Santiago (December 28, 2020). "No Thoughts. Head Empty. Just Vibes: The Rise Of The New Age Bimbo". Refinery29. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ Lewis, Justice (February 23, 2021). "Opinion: The reason why some little girls are growing up to be 'bimbos'". The Columbia Chronicle. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ Spanos, Brittany (February 6, 2023). "Chrissy Chlapecka Wants Everyone to Feel 'So Hot'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Chrissy Chlapecka [@chrissychlapecka] (April 30, 2022). "sugars birthday was yesterday and this is how we celebrated #reels #dauchshund #slay" – via Instagram.
- ^ Prager, Sarah (March 14, 2023). "Chrissy Chlapecka Is the Queer Elle Woods Fighting the Patriarchy". Logo TV. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
- ^ Chrissy Chlapecka [@chrissychlapp] (May 1, 2021). "thank u to the people who aren't invalidating me bc i literally got kicked out of my whole family for being bi and being myself and wearing what i wear so plz just accept me on here at least 🧍🏼♀️💋💅💞" (Tweet). Retrieved January 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ Chrissy Chlapecka [@chrissychlapp] (June 17, 2021). "honestly i used to hate that my adhd made me forget everything but lately i do not mind. just empty head with pink butterflies. ari songs playing in the background. nothing else" (Tweet). Retrieved January 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ Craig And Friends (March 22, 2021). Ask Craig & Chrissy! (With Chrissy Chlapecka) (podcast). YouTube. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
- ^ "1: Everything! by Chrissy & Craig". Anchor. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ Chrissy Chlapecka [@chrissychlapp] (September 21, 2021). "I have anxiety" (Tweet). Retrieved January 25, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Chrissy Chlapecka - Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ "Chrissy Chlapecka - Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
- ^ "Girlie Pop - Chrissy Chlapecka". Spotify. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
External links
- Chrissy Chlapecka on TikTok
- Chrissy Chlapecka on Instagram
- Chrissy Chlapecka's channel on YouTube
- Chrissy Chlapecka on X