NEWS
Dixie D'Amelio
Amber Asaly"Happy accident" is how Dixie describes the release of her new anticipated single, "The Real Thing" -- an upbeat and flirty pop bop with a melodic hook ("Cause I'm looking for the real thing, only the real thing will do") at the heart of the song.
The 20-year-old Tik Tok star and singer is set to play the U.S. Jingle Ball later this year, two years since her initial launch into the music industry. "It all kind of happened because of the way my life was going at the time," she tells Billboard of the long rollout of this release.
The song was featured in many of her ongoing projects -- like the Hulu docuseries The D'Amelio Family, which gave fans an intimate look at the D'Amelio family after their rapid fire rise to fame. Now, Dixie says, she is ready to share more of her life through music, “not showing [my music] on social media and then bringing it in."
"It’s really scary, because you have an audience of people who don’t follow me for music," she continues. "So starting to share this part of my life, that was kind of a secret for myself, was very scary. I know there will be people who aren’t following me for music so I do try to keep a balance in my content. If people love it, then I’m so happy. Maybe I’ll find an audience who loves me just for [my music] and doesn’t care for my other content."
Billboard spoke with Dixie about why "The Real Thing" (currently available on all streaming platforms) is her most anticipated release, details on Jingle Ball rehearsals, and more.
When and how did The Real Thing first come together?
I actually recorded the song probably last year -- and over the past year, it’s been a part of the Social Tourist campaign, which is my clothing line with Hollister and a part of our family show, The D’Amelio Show. My supporters have been on me like everyday, saying, "Can we actually get the song? We’ve all heard it!" We’ve played it on radio calls and everything so now we are finally releasing it.
My plan was to start to release songs that I’ve written from writing camps -- but because this song has been such a big part of so many big releases and projects in my life this year, I thought it would be cool to finally release it.
What does "The Real Thing" mean to you?
Since this song was a part of so many different events in my life, I kind of think it can mean anything. Originally when I heard this song, I read it as looking for the real boy -- but it applies to so many things.
This song was actually written before I even started [songwriting camps] -- which is pretty cool, 'cause I get to see how far I’ve come. I still love all the other songs; every single song I record I fall in love with. Sometimes I even forget [which songs I have], but this one has always been at the top of the list for everyone.
What are you most looking forward to with this release?
People finally getting the whole song. I hate having songs out there and not talking about them or not releasing them fully. I have to stop myself sometimes from sharing whole entire songs because I just get so excited!
In your docuseries, your family discusses the connection between your successes as public figures and the strains it puts on your mental health. Those topics come up in your music quite often too, has it become any easier to be okay with being vulnerable through music?
With music, 100% yes. I want to tell my story through song in a proper way and not just throw a song out. That’s what we’re working on now. Each time I’m writing or with a group, when we’re writing a song together, [I ask] how can this be a step to show who I truly am? Because I can tell a story [online] but maybe not everyone will listen the way they would through music. I think it’s gonna take time, but that’s the goal.
You're definitely there -- you’re playing the US Jingle Ball tour! Have you started rehearsals for that yet?
I have started rehearsals, it’s so weird! Being able to sing my songs and putting movements to them has been very emotional for me. I never really expected that because I try to stay strong most of the time but it has been emotional. It has been scary, even when it’s just me and my coaches, but I’m just looking forward to it and I can’t wait for the outcome.
Why do you think performing evokes those kinds of emotions?
Because this is just me.... performing is something I’ve always loved and done, but with this being my own song, it’s not an act. I’m not putting on a persona like I did with theater. This is me. This is my story now, so I want to make sure that I’m connecting.
Have you had a chance to talk with or gather advice from the other performers on the Jingle Ball lineup?
I actually found out who was gonna be on the tour when it was announced. Definitely looking forward to seeing Doja Cat, freaking out about that! Lil Nas, The Kid LAROI, Tate McRae, everyone! These are people who I’ve been around -- but not with music, more as friends. So performing alongside them is insane. It definitely gives me a lot of motivation to do the best I can, because these people have done a bunch of performances and have been doing this longer than I have. So that’s definitely a goal -- to be where they are.
Most of your releases have been rooted in pop but explore elements of other genres. How have you gone about finding/developing your signature sound as someone who is still relatively new to the music industry?
I love trying everything, when I look at the songs I have, they all sound different. It’s not just one specific thing. I enjoy doing ballads. I think once it’s all released and my fans and supporters listen to it, I’d love to hear what they think about what I’m best at. Once you’re sitting with things for a long time, you kind of get a little blind to what you actually like, so I’m excited for all the upcoming releases.
What genres or styles do you think you'll want to experiment with in the future?
I keep wanting to [write] a ballad. I’m trying to find the right one that can connect with people because most of the ones I listen to are amazing piano ballads and I relate so strongly to them. When I listen to them, I relive those emotions -- and I would love for people to do that with my music.
NEWS
Fontaines D.C. members Carlos O’Connell and Tom Coll have been behind the production of the forthcoming second album from French indie outfit Film Noir. To introduce the project, the band has unveiled the paired singles ‘VIENS TIENS TOI’ and ‘VEGITA’, which you can listen to below.
The Fontaines D.C. guitarist and drummer worked alongside Film Noir at La Frette Studios just outside Paris. The renowned recording space is also where Arctic Monkeys created their two most recent albums, ‘Tranquillity Base…’ and ‘The Car’.
O’Connell is partnered with Film Noir vocalist Joséphine de La Baume, who is also known for her work as an actor, filmmaker and model. Together, they share two children, with their first child serving as the inspiration for Fontaines’ 2025 track ‘It’s Amazing To Be Young’.
Reflecting on the project while announcing his role in the album, O’Connell shared on social media: “In early 2020 I walked into a gig in a club in Paris and was introduced to a band called Film Noir. I fell in love with the singer, I went on to make babies with her to to fall in love twice again with them.
“A little while back myself, [Coll] and @filmnoirmusic went to La Frette and recorded their upcoming record.”
The guitarist continued: “Producing this record was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had. Blessed to have so many. This album means the world to me & I hope it’ll mean something to many more.”
Film Noir have offered an early look at the still untitled album through the release of ‘VIENS TIENS TOI’ and ‘VEGITA’. O’Connell handled production duties on both tracks, while Coll contributed drums. O’Connell also took care of mixing on ‘VEGITA’.
Opening with a light acoustic arrangement, ‘VIENS TIENS TOI’ gradually unfolds into a dreamy sound shaped by shoegaze influences. In contrast, ‘VEGITA’ leans into a brighter, surf inspired feel that complements de La Baume’s floating vocal performance.
The group has also released a behind the scenes video capturing moments from the recording sessions for their sophomore album, which can be viewed below. At this stage, no official release date has been announced.
Back in spring 2020, O’Connell collaborated with Film Noir on a rendition of Lee Hazlewood’s ‘For A Day Like Today’ (via LiveForever). When the track arrived, the band described the guitarist as “a great supporter of the European rock scene and a common friend”.
Film Noir first emerged with their debut EP, ‘Vertiges (Men Of Glory)’, in 2019, followed by ‘Tendrement’ a year later. Their first full length album, ‘Palpitant’, arrived in 2022.
Outside of music, Joséphine de La Baume portrayed Marie in the 2011 film adaptation of One Day alongside Anne Hathaway. She has also appeared in Apple TV’s The New Look and the Polish period feature Chopin, a Sonata in Paris.
O’Connell also produced the self titled debut album from Dead Dads Club, the new project led by former Palma Violets singer Chilli Jesson. Released in 2026, that record was also created at La Frette Studios.
Speaking with NME earlier this year, O’Connell explained that the French studio “feels like a home”. He continued: “There’s nothing about it that feels corporate or constrained by time. My mind goes into this creative mode in which I can hear things in a certain way, and it doesn’t stop until I leave the building.”
Jesson also spoke about the experience, saying: “It was really organic. Carlos, on one of the tours we were on together, was working on a Film Noir album, and he was always mixing it and playing around with sounds. He’d just come out of the studio at La Frette and to see that process, with the production, I was like, ‘Holy shit.’ I’d been in a world where it was all on the computer, and then suddenly he’s talking about a fucking bass drum that’s two metres long.’”
More recently, Fontaines D.C. contributed music to the soundtrack for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. The band also appeared on the collaborative charity release ‘Help(2)’, which supports War Child.
The group are preparing to return to the stage this summer for their first performances in nearly a year, beginning with three headline concerts in Spain before taking on their first ever top billing appearances at Reading & Leeds 2026.
Their schedule also includes a headline performance at Electric Picnic in Ireland, alongside appearances at European and American festivals including Frequency, La Route du Rock and Shaky Knees.
Discussing new material with NME at the beginning of the year, O’Connell revealed: “We’ve been writing, it’s been fun. We’re at [Reading & Leeds] and there are a couple of shows before that. I think if the music is there, it could get busy.”
Asked whether any fresh songs could appear during the Reading & Leeds performances, he responded: “I’d say so. If there is stuff written, then I would say so, yeah. That’s what we used to do all the time, play the new stuff live, songs that weren’t even finished. It’s a good way to test the songs.”
O’Connell was also asked whether elements of the visual production from the ‘Romance’ era might carry over into the band’s 2026 shows. “I think ‘Romance’ was so intense in every [way]… the visual, the production, the setlist… It wasn’t just about the music,” he explained.
“It’s almost a bit of the identity of the band now, but I guess that’s the decision to make. Does that become the identity of the band, or actually, it’s just a phase and you reinvent it? I don’t know.”
He went on to add: “I personally like the idea of revisiting some old stuff at Reading & Leeds, making the setlist maybe a bit more ‘Dogrel’ heavy. I’m excited about that. I’ve been listening to music like that much more. This morning I was listening to Sonic Youth. I want to go [in] that direction, but we’ll see, because anything could happen now, literally anything.”
‘Romance’ ultimately secured the Number Two spot on NME‘s list of the 50 best albums of 2024, finishing just behind Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’.
