In one of her most sincere and reflective interviews, singer Rosalía addressed the issue of activism in social networks and the pressure that many artists feel to publicly position themselves on political or social issues.
In conversation with El País Semanal, the Catalan performer expressed her discomfort with what she called the “pseudo-activism of Instagram”, clarifying that although she deeply respects real and committed activism, she does not feel identified with the gesture of sharing simple messages on social networks as a form of engagement.
“I don’t feel comfortable with the pseudo-activism on Instagram,” said the artist, stressing that her concern lies in the superficiality with which some highly sensitive issues are addressed on digital platforms. “I respect real activism, the one that involves action, reflection, commitment and risk. But I don’t know if it is frivolizing to limit it to simple proclamations in stories,” she added.
During the interview, Rosalía also talked about the creative process behind her new album “Lux”, a project that took her three years of work and kept her focused almost entirely on music. In this regard, the singer explained that artists often face a constant demand to speak out on global issues, even when they are immersed in intense creative processes.
“I feel like artists are required to take a stand, and sure, it makes sense,” he commented. “But sometimes, if you’re making a record…if you’re engaged in a deep creative process, you can’t always engage in activism with the same sense or the same focus as a person who’s doing it full time.”
Rosalía pointed out that her silence in networks should not be confused with indifference. “I know I have a responsibility, but it hurts me that silence is interpreted as taking sides,” she reflected. “Not everything should be so performative.”
The artist also recalled the controversy she had a few months ago with designer Miguel Adrover, who refused to dress her after criticizing her lack of public stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. This episode generated an intense debate on social networks about the role of the artist in political issues.
Rosalia admitted that the situation affected her emotionally, although she tried to learn from the experience.
“I was hurt by that controversy,” he acknowledged. “But I learn every day and try to do better. I feel more comfortable when I have a one-on-one conversation with a person, talking at length, than when I post a story.”
With these words, the singer defended a more human and direct communication in the face of the speed and constant exposure of social networks.
Rosalía is blunt: “Not everything can be solved with a story”.
Rosalia insisted that digital platforms can be useful to inform or make causes visible, but they also run the risk of turning activism into a symbolic or window-dressing action.
“Sometimes it seems that by doing a story you have already ‘checked’ at the level of conscience,” he lamented. “But there are such sensitive issues that I would hate to choose the wrong words. It’s not about fear, it’s about responsibility.”
His statements have been widely commented on, especially because they reflect a current debate within the art world: to what extent should artists assume a visible political role or express themselves publicly on any social issue?
Rosalía, for her part, made it clear that she prefers to act from personal coherence and respect, without letting herself be carried away by media pressure or by the expectations of the networks.
Throughout the interview, the interpreter of “Berghain” defended the idea that her social commitment can also be manifested through her work. “Music is my way of talking about the world, emotions, pain or hope,” she explained.
His position does not deny the importance of activism, but rather proposes a reflection on its authenticity and depth in times where digital gesture seems to outweigh real action.
With these statements, Rosalia reopens a fundamental debate on the role of the artist in contemporary society: the fine line between public responsibility and the pressure of permanent exposure on social networks.
“I prefer to speak from respect and reflection than from immediacy,” he concluded. “Art can also be a form of activism, but one that is born from the soul, not from the algorithm.”
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