Charli XCX’s album “Brat” was undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights of her career. With Charli’s album garnering over a billion streams, many are skeptical if the fame has all gone to her head after her latest stunt at the Coachella 2025 afterparty.
The afterparty took place hours before the headliner of the night, Green Day, took stage. Charli XCX arrived at the afterparty in a sash with silver-print writing. “Miss Should Be Headliner” read the accessory. This action had news outlets and social media accounts alike voicing their opinions. Although the choice was tacky, referring to this outfit as an “attack” is more than an exaggeration.
X users have taken this bold statement as well as ever, making comments such as “In what world would she be a headliner over Green Day?” while her fans have come to her defense on the stylistic choice. Those who have shielded Charli from hateful comments responded to arguments about who is more famous. Many note that while Charli experienced a brief period of fame with her album, the overall population is more familiar with and favors Green Day.
Some deem this sash distasteful, given that Green Day used their performance to talk about social issues, such as Gaza and President Donald Trump. Green Day’s tributes were valuable, but her sash was on before their set, making those claims faulty.
Charli wearing this sash definitely comes off as self-absorbed and ignorant of the impact Green Day’s music had on a generation. However, the argument that it was a disrespectful piece is an extreme. This is not the first time where an artist has become cocky with their work, and it will not be the last. Being boastful about her hit album and the lack of recognition for it from Coachella is not a crime and should not be taken to heart.
This afterparty was clearly something Charli was invited to and felt comfortable at; this sash was not even something impactful to her. This could have been a joke, and she may never have expected drama to erupt. The only people who take this issue seriously are super fans of either performer. It is astonishing that this is something people care so deeply about, especially due to the fact that Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer of Green day, and Charli have posted photos together at Coachella.
Furthermore, Armstrong wore a Brat baseball cap when performing his headliner show. If that is not enough to prove no serious damage was intended, it may be time to remember these celebrity scandals do not involve or affect the common person.
Neither Charli nor Armstrong has said anything on the issue, leaving this a debate against a brick wall for media outlets and fans. It is important to ponder the seriousness of situations before engrossing oneself and one’s energy in them. The sash was a bit showy, but it was not a ground-shaking, multiple-articles-needing-to-be-posted feud between two popular artists. The idolization of celebrities’ lives damages people, and it must be exhausting to those who choose to care.
