Ruel on Fame at 15, Identity Crisis & Finding Himself After Success | On The Record

In this episode of On The Record, Poppy Reid sits down with Australian global export Ruel to revisit his 2023 debut album Fourth Wall; a record that captured one of the most uncertain and transformative periods of his life. Looking back with the benefit of hindsight, Ruel opens up about growing up in the public eye, navigating the pressure of early success, and trying to figure out who he was as both a person and an artist.From signing a major label deal at just 14 years old to being greeted by hoards of fans overseas before he fully understood his own fame, Ruel reflects on the unique challenges of building a career while still discovering himself. He shares how the isolation of COVID influenced the making of Fourth Wall, why he was writing music that didn’t always feel authentic, and the creative struggles that came with making a debut album under intense expectations.The conversation also explores the changing relationship between artists and fans in the social media era, the pressure to constantly share your life online, creative disagreements behind the scenes, and what success means when you've already achieved more than you ever imagined. This is a candid, thoughtful, and at times funny conversation about identity, ambition, fame, creativity, and what happens when you grow up while the world is watching. Topics discussed:Revisiting Fourth Wall with hindsight Growing up in the spotlight The pressure of making a debut album COVID's impact on creativity and songwriting Authenticity versus artistic perception Early fame and international success Becoming the leader of your own career Creative disagreements and artistic growth Social media, fan culture, and constant visibility Defining success beyond awards and accolades The future of Ruel's music and careerPoppy Reid is dressed by American ApparelShop the looks at https://www.americanapparel.com.au/------------------Follow Poppy :https://www.instagram.com/itspoppyreid/Follow Ruel :https://www.instagram.com/oneruel/Follow Curious Media :https://www.instagram.com/itscuriousmedia/