🖊 WRITE 🖊

When I was a child, I became a fan of Britney Spears. I could relate to her lyrics. I think she has a sensitive side, which I recognized in myself. The way she danced inspired me to dance more, and her body type made it feel more okay and secure to be thin. When I play some of her songs, I feel like it’s my birthday.

Then I listened to Destiny’s Child a lot, and later I watched how Beyoncé went on to open doors with her work ethic, discipline, and power. Her fearlessness in using her voice feels like an encouragement to sing my heart out. Her glow makes me feel more secure in embracing my own skin tone — especially when it glows. She shows countless styling options to highlight that. Some of her hits make me feel like it’s my birthday again.

In my twenties, I became a fan of Maluma, because he comes across as someone with a sensitive side. The themes he sings about feel personal as if he’s showing who he really is — on reggaetón. That kind of suave swag and sensitivity reminds me of my father, especially because of the language he mostly sings in. Hearing his songs sometimes feels like I’m on the phone with him, listening his stories.

I think I might also be a fan of Madonna. Lately, I’ve been listening to her music more often, and yes — some of her songs make me feel like it’s my birthday too.

I might be a fan of even more artists and people.

I let their voices in, even in my darkest moments. Their voices feel like starlights in a dark sky.

Their art matters to me.