Many have put their love on artist Victoria Nadine (24) for a long time. A lot because of the music, but also because of the openness she has shown on social media. Among other things, about exclusion and a self-image that has not always been at its best.
– I don’t think it’s a unique feeling. I have perhaps felt a little extra about it throughout, that I have struggled to believe in myself and stand by what I do. And don’t overthink that everything is so crazy all the time, she says to TV 2.
– Why have you chosen to go down the path where you are so visible, and which others evaluate all the time?
– I don’t know where that feeling comes from. I wonder a lot about that. I thought: “Why am I doing this, it’s absolutely horrible!”. I’ve been thinking that since day one. I have thought it has been terrible, she says and continues:
– But it’s clearly music that I’m going to do. Stopping is even worse. I’m enjoying myself a lot now, but there’s an internal battle all the time where I don’t think I’m good enough. Then it’s a little strange that I do it. But that’s what I love too.
In tears for Vixen
This uncertainty heralded its arrival after this year’s Vixen in February. Victoria had just released the single “Proud”, which is about her past and how far she has come.
– Vixen symbolizes a bit the cool ones at school, that’s me too. And that I played that very song, “Proud”, for the first time, which is about these things. I felt a lot was at stake, I was very scared and dreaded it for two days.
The artist does not hide that she did not feel ready to perform the song, and that she went back and forth with the management about what she should do. Minutes before she was due to take the stage, she decided to give it a try.
– It didn’t go the way I wanted. It really affects me. I thought if this went well it would be a good start to the festival summer. But if it went badly, if one little thing happened that tipped me off the peg, then it would be very devastating. Then I got to dig in.
The 24-year-old was in tears after the performance, and decided to share her feelings on social media. She admits that she was embarrassed to talk about it publicly, and was afraid of what people would think.
– Unless it’s perfect – or even more than perfect – then it’s not good enough. It’s a problem that I have, and that others, especially young girls have. They are never satisfied with themselves. They have sick demands – and I am aware that they are extreme.
The response has been enormous. But Victoria herself hasn’t had the chance to see everything yet.
– Of course there were some who said: “There are bigger problems in the world“. And I am so aware of that! That’s why it was so disgusting to post it too. But there has been good feedback, even if I haven’t had the chance to read it yet. I feel a bit stupid, quite simply. Because I can see from the outside that this is a small problem. But I also know that it is about something more for me.
International cooperation
Despite a poor self-image, Victoria’s songs are streaming like never before and her second single in 2024 recently came out. The dance song “Feel This Way” is a collaboration with super producer and DJ R3HAB. He has previously worked with names such as ZAYN, Ava Max and Sean Paul.
COLLABORATION: Victoria Nadine has brought along producer and DJ R3HAB on her latest song. Photo: Universal Music
– I have been offered to collaborate with several artists, where the management is like: “This is a good opportunity, you can get good numbers”. Then I said: “No, I don’t want to”. It was important to me that there should be someone I myself would listen to while I was at the gym. And that it would be great to have my name next to that person’s.
In a press release in connection with the launch, Victoria stated the following: “I’ve always been very keen that my first collab with a DJ should be with someone I think is energetic and actually listens to”.
This is despite the fact that her own boyfriend, Norwegian Kygo, is one of the world‘s biggest DJs.
– He is the most supportive boyfriend you can get out there, so he thinks this is great and cool. It’s not a bad atmosphere there, so to speak, she says and elaborates:
– For me and ours, it’s just been great and perfect that we’re both in the music business. Now I’m like: “How could I have had it in a different way?”, you are understood in a way you can’t expect from others who don’t live that life themselves.
The 24-year-old is known for writing songs inspired by her own life. Then it is perhaps not so unnatural that her new song is about a crush that makes the blood rush and the feeling of an intense love where you just can’t stop smiling.
– You are based in Oslo and travel a lot, and Kygo is based in LA and travels a lot. But he has a very large house in Bergen. How much are you currently there?
– I am there quite a lot.
– Yes. Nice there?
– Yes, she says with a laugh.