SZA Opens Up About Fame: “I Didn’t Know What I Was Getting Into”

R &B sensation SZA, known for her soulful lyrics and heartfelt performances, recently shared her candid thoughts on navigating the often overwhelming world of fame. In a conversation with Extra about her latest project, One of Them Days, alongside Issa Rae and Keke Palmer, the artist (real name Solana Imani Rowe) opened up about her complex relationship with being in the spotlight.

“Even after more than a decade, fame still feels weird to me,” SZA admitted. “Some people just have this natural ability to adapt, like Keke. She has this incredible network and flow, even when the cameras are rolling.”

SZA, who dropped SOS Deluxe: Lana last month, explained that her rise to stardom was anything but planned. “I didn’t grow up famous,” she reflected. “I grew up in the suburbs, went to regular schools, had regular jobs. I didn’t know what I was signing up for. I made a few songs, people liked them, and I kept going.”

While her journey to superstardom has been meteoric, SZA admits the constant scrutiny can be unsettling. “People think I’m at ease with it, but I’ve never been examined this way before. Fame feels like being perceived by strangers all the time, and that’s a lot to handle.”

Her honesty echoed sentiments she shared with British Vogue, where she described grappling with her place in the music industry. “Every day, I wonder, ‘Am I done with music?’ The anxiety, the pressure—it’s overwhelming. But then I think, why would God put me here if I wasn’t meant to rise to the occasion? Even though some days, it feels like the occasion is beating me down.”

Despite her internal struggles, SZA’s achievements suggest she’s far from slowing down. SOS Deluxe: Lana, released on December 20, propelled her back to the top of the Billboard 200 chart. Tracks like “30 for 30,” a collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, debuted at No. 1 on the Hot R&B Songs Chart, and the two artists are gearing up for a highly anticipated joint tour in 2025.

Yet, SZA isn’t just focused on mainstream success. In a heartfelt January 4 post on X, she revealed plans to create two children’s albums—a way to channel her creativity while imagining a life beyond the limelight.

For SZA, fame remains a perplexing reality. “People say, ‘This is what you signed up for,’ but I didn’t know. I’m just grateful for the love my music has received, and I’m figuring the rest out as I go.”

With her undeniable talent and raw vulnerability, SZA continues to captivate audiences—even as she navigates the complicated world of being a superstar.