Abigail Johnson is a New York City-based writing intern, screenwriter, actor, and director. Her main focus is women in the entertainment industry and authenticity, especially advocating for diverse storytelling and new perspectives. Abigail loves discovering indie films that may not be seen in a traditional movie theatre, as well as listening to pop music and trying to find the next big artist. Abigail connects to Hollywood Insider’s values of substance over scandal and focusing on compassion and philosophy in her writing at Hollywood Insider. Utilizing writing for good is the main Hollywood Insider value that Abigail connects with, as her main goal is to use her talents for good.
Apr 26, 2024
Table of Contents
On April 12, Marie Ulven Ringheim, coined Girl in Red, will be releasing her second album ‘I’M DOING IT AGAIN, BABY’. The singer is coming off of major success from her previous album ‘if i could make it go quiet’; as well as opening for Taylor Swift at select shows of The Eras Tour. With her past successes, and the singles released from the album already, ‘I’M DOING IT AGAIN, BABY’ is predicted to be a hit.
Marie Ulven Ringheim was born in February 16, 1999 in Horten, Norway. At the age of fourteen, she gained an interest in playing guitar and songwriting and revived her first guitar that Christmas. While her grandfather could play guitar and piano, Ulven grew up with little instruments or music knowledge. She began uploading music onto SoundCloud under the name Lydia X, but ultimately decided to change her stage name to Girl in Red. Where did the name Girl in Red come from? While at a festival, Ulven tried to meet up with a friend she was crushing on, and was wearing a red sweater. After she texted her friend “girl in red”, in order to make herself stand out in the crowd, Ulven purchased more red clothing and the rest was history.
TikTok was a large catalyst in Girl in Red’s rise to fame. In 2019 and 2020, her song ‘girls’ was utilized in coming-out trends, where young queer women would sing along with the lyrics “I’m not talking about boys/ I’m talking about girls”.’ In the song, Ulven describes her feelings of realizing that she is experiencing attraction to other women. The song, ‘we fell in love in october’, was utilized in trends where people on TikTok would demonstrate what happens when they run into an ex at a party, as well as expressing love for current partners. Even with UMG pulling their catalog from TikTok today, the use of Girl in Red songs on the app was able to get her music heard in ways that it might not have been prior.
In the Summer of 2023, Girl in red was an opening act at Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour. Much like other opening acts from the tour, such as Gracie Abrams, Pheobe Bridgers, and MUNA, this was one of the biggest audiences that Ulven had performed for, especially in the United States. Girl in Red was set to open for 5 dates at The Eras Tour in Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Minneapolis. Each of these performances was met with raving audiences, excited to see what was coming next.
After coming out in late 2015, Girl in Red had become synonymous with queer songwriters. Her first hit ‘I wanna be your girlfriend’ caught the attention of the sapphic community online. The song, along with others such as ‘summer depression’ and ‘girls’ sparked interest with the rise of TikTok in 2019. Her honest lyrics and bedroom pop beats help begin a new wave of music that teens who were coming of age in the world of the internet could relate to. As Girl in Red rose to fame, her stage name almost became a code word for young sapphics to identify each other. These teens would subtly ask each other if the other listened to Girl in Red, which symbolized their queerness.
Ulven has not been one to apologize for being herself, especially when it comes to singing about her sexuality. The way she portrays herself and her queerness in her lyrics is so casual and nonchalant. Even when Ulven sings about non-romantic subjects, she is so unapologetically herself in her lyrics. The title song of her new album expresses how Ulven is gaining confidence back in herself and making a comeback. She exudes the energy of “this is me, take it or leave it”, and empowers her listeners with these lyrics. The new album is sure to be filled with confidence-boosting songs that will be sure to be hits in the near future.
After two successful EPs, and releasing her first album, it’s no shock that Girl in Red has reached a level of success that artists only dream of, with 17 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Ulven’s latest release is one of the most anticipated albums of 2024. So far, three singles have been released from the new album, including ‘You Need Me Now?’ which features fellow opener from The Eras Tour, Sabrina Carpenter.
So far, each of these singles has been met with high stream numbers and glowing reviews. The classic honestly of Marie Ulven Ringheim’s lyrics are mixed with the rock beats ghat contrast with that of her SoundCloud bedroom pop beats. However, this rock sound has always been prominent in the Girl in Red discography, as guitar is Ulven’s first love.
With the new album dropping in less than a month, and tours set for North America and Europe, 2024 is predicted to a year for Girl in Red. After dominating the bedroom pop genre and a successful pursuit in rock and roll, it’s no wonder than fans keep coming back for more music. Her unapologetic nature, fierce lyrics, and rock sound is appealing for all audiences, and fans are eagerly awaiting the new album and tour.
‘I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY’ will be released on April 12, 2024 in stores and on streaming platforms. The North American tour will begin on April 16, 2024 in Boston Massachusetts. While many dates are sold out, tickets are still available online.
By Abigail Johnson
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Abigail Johnson is a New York City-based writing intern, screenwriter, actor, and director. Her main focus is women in the entertainment industry and authenticity, especially advocating for diverse storytelling and new perspectives. Abigail loves discovering indie films that may not be seen in a traditional movie theatre, as well as listening to pop music and trying to find the next big artist. Abigail connects to Hollywood Insider’s values of substance over scandal and focusing on compassion and philosophy in her writing at Hollywood Insider. Utilizing writing for good is the main Hollywood Insider value that Abigail connects with, as her main goal is to use her talents for good.
Abigail Johnson is a New York City-based writing intern, screenwriter, actor, and director. Her main focus is women in the entertainment industry and authenticity, especially advocating for diverse storytelling and new perspectives. Abigail loves discovering indie films that may not be seen in a traditional movie theatre, as well as listening to pop music and trying to find the next big artist. Abigail connects to Hollywood Insider’s values of substance over scandal and focusing on compassion and philosophy in her writing at Hollywood Insider. Utilizing writing for good is the main Hollywood Insider value that Abigail connects with, as her main goal is to use her talents for good.
Abigail Johnson is a New York City-based writing intern, screenwriter, actor, and director. Her main focus is women in the entertainment industry and authenticity, especially advocating for diverse storytelling and new perspectives. Abigail loves discovering indie films that may not be seen in a traditional movie theatre, as well as listening to pop music and trying to find the next big artist. Abigail connects to Hollywood Insider’s values of substance over scandal and focusing on compassion and philosophy in her writing at Hollywood Insider. Utilizing writing for good is the main Hollywood Insider value that Abigail connects with, as her main goal is to use her talents for good.
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