Photo by Amanda Carlson
A butterfly begins life as a humble caterpillar and then seemingly overnight transforms itself into a lively butterfly. Chrissy Chlapecka underwent a similar metamorphosis, going from a college student struggling with her identity to a pink-haired, self-proclaimed chick who dominated TikTok’s algorithm.
“Right away when we were in lockdown because of COVID, I was in a really horrible, abusive relationship and obviously I wasn’t myself in any way — I really lost the sense of who I was,” says Chlapecka. “I remember coming home from college and thinking, ‘What do I do?’ I feel like when everyone had that free time, we all kind of stared at each other and faced all the things that were going wrong. I had broken up with my abuser and it was like shedding this skin that was so untrue to who I was. From then on I was like a blank slate and was able to develop into the person I always wanted to be.”
Before officially breaking the chains that bound her, Chlapecka hinted that a change was about to happen. She hadn’t the faintest idea what she was getting into, but she opened Pandora’s box when she got her first tattoo. “I was still in that relationship and I was at the point where I wanted to do something for myself,” says Chlapecka. “I was at my girlfriend’s dorm and she said, ‘Do you want to get a tattoo today?’ I never thought I’d be a person covered in a million tattoos, and I’ve always been scared of needles, but I was like, ‘You know what, I feel risky.'”
Chlapecka’s first tattoo is the phrase “Divine Feminine” on her ribs, alluding to her embrace of femininity and rejection of patriarchy. Shortly after Chlapecka got her first tattoo, she started posting videos on TikTok to pass the time. Not long after her first post, Chlapecka went viral and she dove headfirst into the platform by showing millions who she really was. People flocked to Chlapecka’s exuberant personality and she gained confidence in expressing her authenticity.
Today Chlapecka has not only shed her metaphorical doll, she has spread her wings further than she ever thought possible. She has gained notoriety as TikTok’s sociopolitical bimbo and continues to create content focused on self-love, bisexual pride and sexual liberation. She has given herself and her nearly 5 million followers the freedom to be her loudest and proudest self. This ethos is also expressed in her now extensive tattoo collection.
What started with a small lettering on her ribs has developed into a steadily growing tattoo constellation. Divine Feminine acted as a catalyst and since then Chlapecka has explored this theme with pieces that show her evolution and greater self-understanding.
“I think there’s a meaning behind every tattoo I get,” says Chlapecka. “I currently have six butterflies tattooed on me and I didn’t think they meant anything until now. When I think about it, they are like freedom to me. But I don’t even know how getting a tattoo came about, it just turned into something almost spiritual. Each tattoo is just another story about who I was the day I got it or what it could mean for years to come. I won’t stop either, I’m fully ready to be covered.
Chlapecka is on an uptrend and is not showing any signs of slowing down. Not only has she experienced incredible personal growth, she has also become one of the most prominent LGBTQ+ creators on the platform, hitting milestone after milestone. Now Chlapecka is gearing up for her next big chapter, which will come as no surprise to her day-one fans.
“I’ve always wanted to make music and be this little pop star,” says Chlapecka. “It’s been my dream since I was a little girl and to do it now is just the most amazing feeling. I’m having the time of my life and currently I’m working on songs with my producer almost every day. I’m hoping to release some singles over the next few months and I’m so excited to share this other really vulnerable part of me with my audience. My music embodies me now, but it also embodies me as a child and me during my teenage years. It really is the picture book of my life.”
Photo by Amanda Carlson
After her first video went viral, many in the comments began comparing her speaking voice to that of pop star Ariana Grande. Little did they know at the time, Chlapecka had been singing for years and had the pipes to take their likeness to the next level. She began impersonating Grande, mimicking the singer’s signature soprano voice, and even nailed the whistle register — which singers like Grande, Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey have mastered. Chlapecka will still pay homage to the pop divas who paved the way, but more than that, she’s made her own with her own sound.
“My brand as a musician is very similar to the brand I have on TikTok,” says Chlapecka. “I just want to be a little pop star party girl and that’s the kind of vibe I convey. I’m obviously very heavily influenced by Slayyyter, as well as Rebecca Black, Lady Gaga, and Ariana Grande. Be there because it’s going to be fun, pop and exciting.”
Chlapecka may be known for her larger than life personality, extravagant outfits, and deep-seated appreciation for breasts; However, she also intends to use her music to show how far she’s come. “I want my music to look back and pay tribute to the girl I was in high school because she really needed a big hug,” says Chlapecka. “I want to hug them tight in my music and let them know that everything is fine – we’re getting over these tough moments that we’ve been through. It’s really a work in progress, but I think that’s the best way to describe what I’m doing right now. I think it’s going to be really relatable to a lot of people who’ve had to find themselves all by themselves.”
Chlapecka may have a musical theater background, a crew behind her, and millions of die-hard fans ready to devour her singles, but she’s still quite a beginner. She takes every new experience as it comes and learns to become a better musician every day. “Honestly, it’s okay to write bad songs,” she says. “I’ve written so many bad songs and my management is like, ‘That’s not it,’ but it really helps me develop what makes a good song. People grow from mistakes and you’re not a failure if you write a shitty song. I could just as easily post a video right now and if it doesn’t go viral doesn’t mean I’m a failure. It’s okay to let yourself be bad and get rid of the thoughts that aren’t perfect. After getting rid of those bad thoughts, I write a song that is unreal.”
A release date for Chrissy Chlapecka’s debut single has yet to be announced, but when that day comes and her fans get a chance to hear this song, we know where they’ll be. We also know where Chlapecka will be – in the tattoo chair. “Once I’ve decided which single I want to release, I’m definitely going to get a tattoo to represent it,” she says. “This will probably be one of the happiest days of my entire life. I’m so excited and want to hurry but I know I have to wait and keep working. But like I said, my music will embody so many parts of me and so many of the stories I have to tell. I’m definitely leaving room for a very big dedication piece for the first song I drop.”