Eli’s “Stage Girl”: A Trans Pop Star’s Grand Entrance and the Power of Queer Community

Eli is rapidly establishing herself as a transformative figure in contemporary pop music. Her debut album, “Stage Girl,” released in late October 2025, is not just a collection of catchy tracks—it’s a personal manifesto, a genre-bending exploration of fame, reinvention, and identity, delivered with both humor and sincerity. Eli’s music has quickly resonated with listeners online, especially among LGBTQ+ audiences, due to its emotional honesty and references to the pop icons of her youth, including Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, and Britney Spears .

Eli’s path to the spotlight began during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she found a community through platforms like TikTok. Posting vulnerable ballads recorded in her childhood bedroom, she cultivated a following that identifies with her blend of pop, R&B, and indie sensibilities. Songs like “Marianne” and “Girl of Your Dreams” captured attention for their lyrical depth and infectious melodies, prompting major streaming releases and viral acclaim .

Her viral success is rooted in her lifelong obsession with pop stardom—a dream fueled, as she recounts, by watching reality TV competitions and idolizing contestants who dared to chase their ambitions. Eli auditioned for such shows herself but didn’t make it, a rejection that only strengthened her resolve to carve her own path. “Stage Girl” is her answer to those formative experiences, weaving in references to the drama and hope of those televised moments .

What sets Eli apart in today’s pop scene is her unapologetic embrace of her transgender identity and her commitment to building community through music. In an exclusive interview with Gay Times, Eli describes “Stage Girl” as “an opportunity to find community” and makes clear that her art is for “the younger version of Eli who was obsessed with the pop artists of the early 2000s.” She states, “Instead of standing on the VMA stage and making a bottomless statement like ‘I’m nothing without my fans,’ I truly am nothing without my community and the individual stars who resonate with my songs” .

Eli’s album tackles gender dysphoria, self-belief, and the joy—and chaos—of queer existence. Tracks like “I Wish I Was A Girl” and “Somebody I’m Not” reflect both the struggle and the celebration of self-discovery. Eli’s humor and playful references to internet stan culture offer a sense of inclusion for chronically online fans, while her musical versatility appeals across genres and identities .

Eli’s visibility as a trans woman in pop music is significant at a time when transgender people face increasing hostility in many spaces. She hopes young queer people see her success as proof that they can “exist joyously and peacefully,” despite societal challenges . By blending nostalgia with modern sensibilities and by foregrounding her identity, Eli challenges the industry’s norms and offers a new model for what a pop star can be: authentic, multifaceted, and rooted in community.

Eli’s future ambitions include collaborations with icons like Zara Larsson and possibly opening for Ariana Grande—dreams that reflect both her admiration for her idols and her desire to open doors for the next generation of queer artists .

With “Stage Girl,” Eli isn’t just making music; she’s making history—showing that pop stardom, when paired with honesty and inclusivity, has the power to inspire, unite, and transform.