Escaping the “irrelevance prison”! Sabrina Carpenter makes a comeback, and a few others are still quietly fighting in Khia Asylum
Making a comeback is really tough!
A meme term called “Khia Asylum” has been gaining traction in online discussions about Western pop music. It’s not a real place, but a term for singers who are clearly talented yet, for some reason, find their careers stalled and their popularity so low that it feels as if they’ve been locked in an “irrelevance prison.” Some artists have managed to break out and reach new career highs, while others are still struggling inside, waiting for their chance to turn things around. Here are a few names to know.
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From Disney sweetheart to Coachella main stage: Sabrina Carpenter
Over the past two years, Sabrina Carpenter’s name has been everywhere. Two or three years ago, she was still a moderately successful Disney child star, gradually gaining recognition with “Nonsense” and even opening for Taylor Swift. Who would have thought that, in the blink of an eye, she’d be performing on Coachella’s main stage and delivering an awe-inspiring set?
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Her escape from “Khia Asylum” was far from luck alone. Her voice may sound sweet and playful, yet her high notes have real power and her breath control is steady, as “Sugar Talking” makes clear. She also has a top songwriting team behind her, including “hitmaker” John Ryan and Taylor Swift’s frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff, creating high-quality tracks. Finally, despite her petite frame, she has an extraordinary stage presence and perfectly embodies the “American sweetheart” image. Add it all up, and it’s hard not to become a star.
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A glamorous comeback under the midnight sun: Zara Larsson
Zara Larsson’s “Lush Life” was already a household hit in 2016, yet she herself never became a major star. It wasn’t until last year, when she released an album inspired by Sweden’s polar-day “midnight sun,” that she finally escaped Khia Asylum.
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The visual aesthetic played a major role in this turnaround. The album blends Y2K nostalgia, Lisa Frank fantasy, and Malibu Barbie style: highly saturated colors, shiny materials, rainbows, low-rise pants, crop tops… Its music videos also pay tribute to the low-resolution CGI effects of the early 2000s, creating an eternal summer party in the sun. This strong visual identity sparked a trend on social media, with countless users copying her looks and taking on her dance challenges.
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Artists still struggling in “Khia Asylum”
Some have successfully escaped, while others are still quietly working away.
1. Camila Cabello
Camila Cabello became a global hit with “Havana” and “Senorita,” and her debut solo album after leaving Fifth Harmony also arrived with major momentum. Her popularity has gradually faded in recent years, though, and even her surprise appearance at Coachella this year failed to make much of a splash. Many fans feel she needs a stronger comeback release to fully showcase her distinctive voice.
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2. Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha has remained active, appearing on hit singles such as “In the Name of Love” and “Call You Mine” while releasing plenty of music of her own. Unfortunately, she has always had the reputation of being more famous for her songs than for herself, without a definitive comeback to turn things around. Bebe has teased a brand-new concept album for next month, and fans are eagerly awaiting it. It could be a good opportunity for her popularity to rebound.
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3. Halsey
Halsey has a distinctive creative talent and style, and she once reached the top with the collaboration “Closer” and her album “Manic.” In recent years, though, disputes with her management company have clearly cooled her music output and public buzz. Her songs have remained strong, yet they haven’t received the attention they deserve. Fans are hoping she can once again release something stunning and move past her current awkward situation.
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Whether it’s Sabrina and Zara, who have already escaped, or Camila, Bebe, and Halsey, who are still working hard, each of them shows the music industry’s cruelty and its promise. Are there any other singers you can’t help but root for?
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