Exclusive Premiere Interview with Rachel Grae on Transformative Album ‘Turned Into Me’
Run with the river…
For Rachel Grae, growth has never been about standing still, it’s about learning when to surrender to the current and when to steer your own direction. On her newly released sophomore album, Turned Into Me, the New Jersey–raised pop star invites listeners into a powerful chapter of self-discovery, honesty, and emotional evolution.
When you listen to her music, you don’t feel an inkling of uncertainty. Instead, you sense that the young artist has a more grounded and trusting relationship with her intuition than most people her age. In each song, Rachel’s lyrics reveal a striking level of self-awareness, achingly honest, yet deeply hopeful. With this release, we meet Rachel in what feels like the most defining chapter of her career so far.
The 12-track record feels like guidance from a big sister: urging you to leave the ex, chase the dream, or simply have the audacity to become your highest self. Rachel arrived on the scene quietly, yet quickly rose to a level of popularity that earned her a deeply devoted following. Along the way, she’s been featured in outlets like Rolling Stone and People, headlined tours across the U.S. and U.K., and made her festival debut at Lollapalooza.
On Turned Into Me, we move through a river of emotional currents that carry us through the realities of life and the honesty we face in our inner monologues. Rachel holds us accountable to the truths we often try to avoid, encouraging listeners to confront the fears and demons that keep us from fully discovering who we are.
With smooth production, hard-hitting drums, and her bold vocals leading the way, the album feels like the sound of breaking chains, freeing ourselves from the self-restriction and sabotage that hold us back. These are the kinds of songs you find yourself belting in the car or singing in the shower, sometimes with a cry, sometimes with a smile —maybe even both.
The lyrics trace profoundly personal stories that mirror the loops of our own thoughts. While the album was clearly a healing process for Rachel, it ultimately becomes something bigger: a project that helps listeners heal, too. By prompting us to face ourselves honestly, we reach the bend in our own river and realize something powerful—we’ve been in control of our direction all along.
I was excited chat with Rachel to learn more about the heart behind this project and hear her genuine reflections on the journey that shaped it. Read the interview below.
P.S. There is something almost poetic about the fact that her project is released in the month of International Woman’s Month as Rachel is such a symbol of female empowerment!
Here is our interview:
Turned Into Me is a title that suggests introspection and transformation. What does that phrase mean to you personally at this moment in your life? What was the emotional journey like creating the Turned Into Me project, especially after the experiences you had in 2025?
Turned Into Me felt like the perfect summary for this album because it lives in the space between who I was and who I’m becoming. It’s really special to write from both of those perspectives at the same time. The younger version of me who was still figuring everything out, and the version of me now who’s a little more healed and self-aware. 2025 was a massive year of self-discovery and boundary setting. There were a lot of highs and a lot of lows, and I was pushed outside of my comfort zone in ways I hadn’t experienced before. This album ended up becoming a reflection of that growth. It feels like a conversation between the person I used to be and the person I’m growing into.
The singles you’ve released so far (like “Run With The River” and “Come A Day”) explore healing and personal growth. How does that vulnerability shape the narrative of this upcoming album?
In a way, vulnerability IS the narrative. “Run With The River” is about letting go and allowing yourself to be authentically you. “Come A Day” is about holding onto hope even when you don’t fully see it yet. This album shows the process of becoming. I think vulnerability and reflection are what tie the whole story together.
In what ways do your songs evolve from initial idea to final recording?
My songs usually start like a therapy session. My co-writer, Dave Gibson, and I will talk through the topic until we fully understand where we’re writing from. It starts as a total brain dump and then slowly turns into something more structured and listenable for everyone else. There’s something really special about turning a personal experience into something people can heal from.
Can you walk us through a song on the album that felt the most challenging or fun to write and why?
One of the most challenging songs to write was “Sorry For Her.” It pushed me into a topic I never thought I’d touch, and it showed me parts of myself that weren’t as healed as I thought. Writing it was uncomfortable in the best way. On the other hand, there are songs on this album that felt incredibly empowering to write. It felt like I was finally choosing myself in a weird way. Those sessions felt celebratory.
You had a major year on the road in 2025. What was a memorable moment amongst all of those tours and shows?
There’s something surreal about hearing a room full of people sing lyrics back to you that you once wrote alone in a studio. It never feels normal. But the most special part is meeting everyone after the shows and hearing their stories. Watching people connect their own lives to my songs is everything to me and it’s even more beautiful seeing strangers in the crowd become friends. It’s like this cute little friend base we’re slowly building all together.
Did any particular city or venue tour stop feel especially meaningful and why?
Honestly, all of it felt so meaningful! Playing in the UK and Europe was incredibly special. I only played London once before, so being able to come back and really meet everyone there meant so much. It was amazing turning familiar online names and faces into real life interactions.
What’s one fan interaction, from social media or in person, that’s stuck with you this year?
I met a fan in London who shared a very personal story about what she battled that year and how my songs played a role in her healing process. She was one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. Knowing that I could play even the tiniest role in someone’s journey through something that hard is something I’ll never take lightly.
Looking back on where you were when you released your debut to where you are now, what growth as an artist are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of my honesty. Early on, I was still trying to write songs that felt “correct”. Now, I write songs that feel real. I trust my voice more and I trust my instincts more.
What do you hope Turned Into Me does for your fans emotionally or personally?
I hope someone listens to it during a transition in their own life and feels reminded that we’re all growing and becoming. If this album gives someone permission to grow without guilt, I’m happy.
Beyond the album release, what’s next for you in 2026?
2026 feels so special already! More live shows, deeper connection with my fans, of course more music! I just want to keep building a community! Evolving, evolving, and more evolving.
Lastly, because we're DETOUR, what is one detour of yours, a creative redirection/hobby or fact that is not expected or known amongst your fans that makes you, you?
Ooo that’s hard because I’m kind of an open book. At one point, I was fully convinced I was going to be a makeup artist. I did people’s prom makeup, all my friends makeup etc. I look back at those photos now and all I’ll say is that was definitely not the right career path for me.