Charli XCX past, present and future: New album and movie on the horizon
After Charli XCX's success with Brat, a new era is beginning, and she is showing no signs of slowing down, writes Music News Blitz's Madeline Rhodes.
Dominating the pop music scene with her Brat (2024) album, which brought her three Grammy Awards and five Brit Awards, there's no doubt that fans are excited to hear new music from the global artist.
Away from music, Charli is continuing to build her acting career with the release of her mockumentary, The Moment (2026), in February, featuring Rachel Sennott, Jamie Demetriou and Kylie Jenner.
The film is described as a satirical psychological drama and comedy. Charli plays an exaggerated version of herself during the Brat tour, exploring celebrity culture and creative control rather than following the traditional biopic or concert film format often associated with musicians.
Charli's beginnings
Charli XCX, whose real name is Charlotte Emma Aitchison, began her career on MySpace, uploading early demos and self recorded music.
This led to her performing at illegal raves when she was just 15 years old.
In 2010, she signed with Asylum Records, where she released music until 2022.
She remained an independent artist for around a year before signing with Atlantic Records, a label that has previously worked with major artists such as Bruno Mars and Coldplay.
2010s pop queen
Charli XCX has been part of the music scene for years, having co-written and performed hits such as I Love It (2012) and Fancy (2014).
Her second album, Sucker (2014), was her first solo project to break into mainstream pop.
Some of her best known tracks include Break the Rules (2014), Vroom Vroom (2016) and Boys (2017).
Since then, her music career has continued to rise, with Charli releasing some of the defining pop tracks of the 2010s.
Many successful film soundtracks
Charli is no novice when it comes to creating songs for film soundtracks.
Boom Clap was the lead single for The Fault in Our Stars (2014). It went on to reach number six on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.
She has also contributed songs to two hugely successful films released in 2023, Barbie and Bottoms.
A departure from her usual hyperpop sound came this year when she created a dark gothic soundtrack album for the 2026 adaptation of Wuthering Heights.
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Music, Fashion, Film
Charli's seventh studio album, Music, Fashion, Film, will be released on July 24.
The 11 track record runs for 30 minutes and five seconds.
On Friday, July 10, she performed a handful of songs from the album to an intimate crowd at a Brooklyn gig.
Joining her on stage were friends Kim Petras and Clairo, who performed renditions of their own songs.
Posting clips to her 9.1 million followers on Instagram, Charli received overwhelmingly positive feedback from fans.
Upcoming film feature
Charli is set to appear in Greg Araki's upcoming film I Want Your Sex, which releases in cinemas on August 28.
Starring alongside Olivia Wilde, Charli portrays the partner of the protagonist, played by Greg Hoffman.
Charli does not have much screen time in the film, but she is sure to leave an impression.
A release date has not yet been announced; however, Charli has also been named as part of the cast for Dakota Johnson's feature directorial debut, A Tree Is Blue.
As she continues to add to her acting portfolio, her career trajectory continues to rise.
At the end of July, she will headline Reading and Leeds Festival 2026.
Post-festival season, she will embark on her Music, Fashion, Film tour across North America.
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