Singer Spotlight: Olivia Bragoli Interview

New York City-based pop/R&B artist Olivia Bragoli has been captivating audiences since she was just 14 years old, when she posted her first cover—Justin Bieber's "Sorry"—and began building what would become a thriving music career. Now 22, the singer-songwriter has evolved from viral covers into a formidable artist in her own right, dropping a steady string of singles including “you and i,” “silent treatment,” “this time,” and her latest, “No 1 but u.” Drawing inspiration from the early 2000s pop she grew up loving and modern pop-R&B icons like Ariana Grande, Kehlani, and SZA, Olivia creates tracks that balance nostalgic influences with fresh, modern energy—songs that feel personal and simultaneously speak to everyone.

We caught up with Olivia to talk about her musical journey, her creative process, and the importance of embracing change as an artist.

Tell us about your musical journey – how did you first get into singing, and what drew you to the style of music you create today?

I've been singing for as long as I can remember. I grew up in the backseat of my mom's car listening to early 2000s pop — artists like Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, and Rihanna — and completely fell in love with that sound. When I was younger, I was really into musical theater, which taught me how to perform, tell stories, and connect with people emotionally. But deep down, I always knew I wanted to make the kind of pop music you'd hear on the radio — something that feels big, relatable, and real.

What's been inspiring your music lately? Are there any particular artists, experiences, or themes that have been influencing your creative process?

Lately I've been really inspired by pop-R&B legends like Ariana Grande, Kehlani, Sabrina Carpenter, Chris Brown, and SZA. I love how they blend raw, introspective songwriting with insanely catchy hooks and melodies — it's the perfect balance of vulnerability and confidence. Their vocal layering and arrangements have definitely influenced the way I approach my own songs. More than anything, I want my music to feel honest and relatable, something that connects with people everywhere and makes them feel seen.

What are you working on right now? We'd love to hear about any upcoming releases, performances, or projects you're excited to share with our community.

I'm always writing and creating — I have a lot of new music in the vault right now that's expected to drop early next year. Lately I've been more experimental with my sound, really pushing the bar for what people have heard from me so far. My latest single "No 1 But U," which came out in August, was a flirty, pop-filled track, and you'll definitely hear pieces of that energy in my next release — but with a bigger shift toward an R&B-dance direction. I'm so excited for people to see this next chapter of my sound.

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Walk us through your creative process when it comes to making covers or writing original music. Where do you start, how long does it take, and how do you know when it's ready?

My creative process, whether I'm working on a cover or an original song, always starts with a feeling. The way music makes me feel usually guides the direction I take — especially when I'm choosing which songs to cover or deciding how I want an original track to sound. The timing really depends on the project and who's involved. Some covers come together in a day, while other songs can take months (or even years) before they feel ready to release. I'll admit, I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my sound, but I've learned that sometimes you have to let go and trust the process to keep things moving.

What has been the highlight of your musical journey so far?

Some of the biggest highlights of my journey so far have been seeing my song "This Time" reach #5 on the iTunes Pop Charts, performing my first major concert to hundreds of people this summer, and watching the music video for "You and I" climb to nearly one million views. I've also had the chance to connect with some incredible people in the industry along the way. Each of these moments has reminded me how far I've come and how much more I want to grow as an artist.

What's a piece of advice/knowledge/wisdom you know now, but wish you knew when you started out?

The biggest thing I've learned from doing music for so long is that you're going to change — and that's a good thing. Your sound, your habits, your collaborators, even your creative process will evolve over time. I used to hold on so tightly to this specific idea of what I wanted my sound to be, but once I started pushing my boundaries and letting myself grow, everything clicked. It's all about staying open, trying new things, and letting change shape you into the artist you're meant to become.

As an artist who has been successful on social media platforms, what's the best thing about building a music career online today, and what's the most challenging part that people might not realize?

I started building my social media platforms when I was 14, posting my first cover — Justin Bieber's "Sorry." It was definitely challenging starting that young; I was a freshman in high school and no one around me was really doing that yet. I used to watch social media creators and influencers and was always fascinated by the visual side of things, so sharing my own content felt like a dream. It wasn't until around eleventh grade that I started seeing real traction online, and that momentum really fueled my drive to release my own music. The best part about building a music career online today is that you can connect directly with people who truly believe in you — there's no middleman between you and your audience. The hardest part, though, is the pressure to always be "on." My biggest piece of advice is to stay consistent but also give yourself grace. Some days you won't feel like posting, and that's okay. As long as you stay connected to your goals and your love for creating, that motivation always finds its way back.

What's something completely non-musical that you're passionate about that might surprise people?

People are always surprised when I say this, but one of my favorite hobbies is boxing. It's such a great release for me — both mentally and physically. I've always been really interested in health and fitness, and boxing gives me that perfect balance of focus, strength, and energy.

Follow Olivia Bragoli

Instagram: @olivia.bragoli

TikTok: @oliviabragoli

YouTube: @oliviabragoli

Official Website: oliviabragoli.com