Although HBO’s acclaimed teen drama Euphoria premiered over a year ago, the “Euphoria Makeup Trend” has become a new social media movement, with TikTok creators and music stars like Lizzo soundtracking their makeup-transformation clips with Bea Miller’s song “feel something.” Like Euphoria, “feel something” was also released in 2019 — but thanks to the new trend, Miller, a pop veteran whose songwriting has increasingly embraced her emotional vulnerabilities, has a growing streaming hit on her hands.
As “feel something” has gained a new following a year after its release, Miller has been busy prepping new music to be released before the end of the year. Ahead of her next act, she caught up with Billboard about the surprise success of “feel something,” what fans can expect from her upcoming music, and some of her earliest music memories.
1. What’s the first piece of music that you bought for yourself, and what was the medium?
Jonas Brothers on CD.
2. What was the first concert you saw?
Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers.
3. How did you parents influence your musical taste as a kid?
My mom was a vinyl DJ for many years. She had a very large collection of music and was constantly playing music from the decades.
4. Who made you realize you could be an artist full-time?
Myself, by accident. I just kind of started doing it and it worked out. I wasn’t looking at or listening to anyone else thinking, “I can do that because they can.”
5. What’s at the top of your professional bucket list?
I would love for a song that I wrote to go platinum.
6. How did your hometown/city shape who you are?
Luckily for me, I grew up in a very diverse and accepting town, Maplewood NJ, and that’s the kind of place I wish everyone could be raised in. I think that made me a better person.
7. What’s the last song you listened to?
“Joshua Tree” by Cautious Clay.
8. If you could see any artist in concert, dead or alive, who would it be?
Kurt Cobain.
9. What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen in the crowd of one of your shows?
I have pretty respectful fans. They get loud but they don’t get crazy.
10. How has the pandemic affected the way you’ve created music in 2020?
It’s been difficult. The only thing I’ve been inspired by is how anxious I feel, and I don’t think that anyone else needs to hear about my anxiety when we’re all experiencing the same thing.
11. Can you describe your experience releasing the song “feel something” last summer, and watching it gradually find a larger audience this year?
I never expected any song I create to reach so many people, especially when a song is a year old. I’m still surprised and grateful every day.
12. What was your first reaction to the “Euphoria Makeup Trend” that uses “feel something”?
I’m terrible at doing makeup so the challenge was ironic for me, but I love seeing everyone’s makeup looks.
13. Have you seen the first season of Euphoria, and if so, what did you think of it?
Yes, I loved it.
14. What can fans expect from your new music being released before the end of the year?
The most authentic and truthful body of work I’ve ever released.
15. What’s one thing even your most devoted fans don’t know about you?
I’m very myself with my fans. There’s really not much they don’t know.
16. What’s one food that you could eat every single day?
Any seafood.
17. What’s your karaoke go-to?
“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals.
18. What movie, or song, always makes you cry?
Any Pixar movie every created.
19. If you were not a musician, what would you be?
I don’t know but when I was younger I wanted to write and direct films.
20. What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Don’t sign that contract.