Mia Rodriguez is no “Psycho”.

Her eyes, Mia Rodriguez’s, which throughout the performance, of her recent video [“Psycho” (Acoustic)], from the very beginning, begin to pierce into the viewer. With their dark purple hue, which accompanies her, the singer’s, Billie Eilish “like”, quality of sound, and ennui. Conjures a sort of, Thai made, Ming Dynasty, Jade, Partially Nude, Sculptural Figurine. Whose, almost realistic features, and drawings. With it’s curves, and accented hips. And dark foreboding, have come to life. Though under less provocative, and more comelier, appurtenances. No matter how drab, her Fitted Jean Punk attire, may appear her to be.

With her, Mia’s, hair, pulled back, in short pygmy style ponytails. Into straight black strands, that begin to resemble some unknown brand of cotton candy. The ubiquitous fairgrounds food. Mia Rodriguez, with her mellifluous, effortless, almost natural singing style. Which, while sitting down on a Italianate foot stool, for one of her latest endeavors. Forgoes the usual, brash pop songstress desire, to necessarily enunciate every syllable, sweating under bright lights, while standing before an audience on stage. Instead, her now natural look. Becomes one, that is all at once electrifying, while at the same time entrancing, and insatiable to witness. Ms. Rodriguez’s coy, and timid online presence. Which, aside from the usual social media produced cadre’s, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etcetera, etcetera. Her fanbase appears to currently be devoid of any of the usual intimate boyfriend/girlfriend media, or press frenzy, which would accompany a singer, and artist, of her expectation, and caliber.

But this does not stop her from cultivating one of the internet’s most loyal, and devoted fanbases. “Psycho” (Acoustic), is one of Ms. Rodriguez’s latest exception, for her mostly established, and newly held record contract with the fabled Atlantic Records. Her origins, which begin in Australia, but have been purposefully obscured, by both the COVID-19 lockdown, she was only seventeen, in 2019, when she recorded, and released her first successful single. As well as by the owner of her first record label, Michael Chugg, of the eponymously named, Chugg Music, of which is the previous record company, to which she was formerly signed.  The video for “Psycho (Acoustic)”, is accompanied by a now standard, big label release of the song, in both its acoustic, as well as pop infused title track release, on the YouTube platform, for Mia Rodriguez’s personal YouTube Channel, which currently has over 3.6 Million views. The song which clocks in a bit over three minutes (3:06) on the Spotify music streaming platform. Has the hook obsessed, and categorically attitudinal Pop phrasing that any Taylor Swift Fan, has undoubtedly grown accustomed to.

“Part Of Me/Wanna To Do/Stupid Shit/Gotta Admit/I’m A Hypocrite/I Like It Way Better/Than Being On The Side Of It/I’m A Psycho/Loving It”. Is not the only provocative line, which the Warner Entertainment Behemoth, Atlantic signed, Mia Rodriguez, appears to easily crescendo in and out of, with relatively little want, for additional talent. Admittedly, I’m not the Pop Superfan which she hopes to ultimately influence. Though you can count me amongst the Taylor Swift faithful. And while Pop Music, particularly of late, has caught my attention. Particularly with the advent of TikTok, and social media promoting concerts, and worldwide tours. It’s unknown if Mia Rodriguez, who is, admittedly, only in her most embryonic stages with Atlantic, a record label which in the past, has scored a number of hits. Though its most promising aspect, for what genuinely, must be, one of the most bona fide successes, that have been successfully cultivated by the label, throughout the pandemic era.

And Warner’s been down this road before, negotiating the early stages of not only future “Pop Princesses” Taylor Swift, and Olivia Rodrigo’s now storied careers. But also producing the early stages, of the likes of, the Beyonce led, Destiny’s Child. Along with working with Justin Bieber, Lana Del Rey, Ariana Grande, David Guetta, and other just as important Pop, and Rock acts. Which have gone on to establish themselves, successfully in the coveted American Media Market, and thus the wider Global Pop Cultural Landscape, as a whole.

But Mia Rodriguez, with her now characteristic moxie, and silhouetted Punk, “Pop Princess”, leit motif. Has decidedly come for all that and more.

Her most important beginnings, which were at then only encountered in her Sydney, Australia bedroom. Shortly after the start of the Pandemic, quickly caught the attentions of Warner Music, and Atlantic Records.

With her brief, but illuminated adolescence, and time in the spotlight. Seemingly squandered on the COVID-19 Pandemic. It was up to Mia, as one of the most promising Aussie musicians of her generation. To identify, define, and proceed, with her own unique brand, of some of the same adulatory, and sophisticated Pop Music Branding, which has been known, almost collectively, in almost every successful Pop Act prior. From the Beatles, and their British “Invasion” of America. To the diehard “Swifties”, whom have generated billions of US dollars, for Taylor Swift, and her World Wide, “Eras”, Concert Tour.

With the promising release of her, Mia Rodriguez’s, first single for Atlantic and Warner Music Group, “Psycho” now available. And her subsequent smash hits “Shut Up”, “Luv You”, and her latest just released Dance Club Pop hit “Ride”. It appears that what Australia has seen all along in Mia Rodriguez. May yet only be the promising beginnings, of Australia’s latest successful import. Not only to the United States. But, with a potential Pop Music fan base, that now numbers into the hundreds of millions worldwide. It’s only a matter of time before her success, becomes not only Atlantic, and Warner Music Group’s own. But, with the stakes more, and more inordinately higher, as the successful “reset”, of American Pop Music, and its Generational Global Branding takes place, in real time. Only the latest success for a Global American Pop Music landscape. Which has spanned the Globe, from Korean K-Pop, and the success World Wide of Latin American Pop, and Rap infused Reggaeton acts such as Bad Bunny. To the seemingly insatiable peculiarities, of a huge potential fanbase, that has sold out arenas worldwide.

And, has come to be incorporated in potentially successful Presidential Campaigns. In highly industrialized countries such as the United Kingdom, and the United States itself. But also, newly developing, and industrializing countries like Indonesia, South Korea, The Philippines, as well as most legitimately competitive elections in Africa.

All of this Mia Rodriguez, has managed to somehow process, and accomplish, at the tender age of 21.

If her latest foray into the Pop, Punk, Music vernacular of a generation of stay-at-home students, and adolescent troglodytes (read: cave dwellers). Is to be anywhere as successful, as the high expectations which have undoubtedly been placed on her (and they are mighty). Then it will be up to her to chart her own path to success, and new beginnings. As she has plenty of peers, and label mates whom she can count on (Think American Crossover Country Artist Megan Moroney). To help ease the transition to an American audience, which can be just as sophisticated about their Pop Music as Australians. In what can sometimes be an exceedingly judgmental, and flat, online marketplace, that inevitably can become dominated by trolls, and other nefarious actors.

But Mia has good company.

Her most earnest beginnings, have included input from some of American Pop, and Urban Hip Hop music’s most successful Producers. With the Chad Hugo, and Pharrell Williams led Neptunes, and their former aide de camps. Contributing to her latest Atlantic Music foray.

But also, the former Warner Music Flagship, one time Disney bred, and charismatic Pop and Hip Hop Crooner, Chris Brown. Whom has acted, as a sort of surrogate, and has taken on an “elder statesmen” role, to the 21-year old Pop Prodigy.

This last reference, the decidedly, media absorbed Chris Brown. Would normally, elicit the sort of groans, and moans. That most onetime admittedly “cookie cutter” Male Pop Idols. Whom have since gone through their post-adolescent bad boy era, never again finding the success that they formerly perceived, and at the levels that they maybe, one time sought. Even if yet still the potential exist.  

However, this time may be different. Brown, one of the most prolific singer, and dancers, to come out of the Mickey Mouse Club infused, American, Britney Spears dominated Pop era of the early 2000’s. Still has a devoted fanbase in his adopted hometown of Los Angeles, California. But also, within the Disney Corporation writ large. And its devotion of followers, which can span the globe. His recent nomination for a grammy, has seemingly calmed the fervor surrounding his off the script past misdeeds, while also burnishing his credentials as one of Pop, and Hip Hop Music’s most sought after Producers.

And if Ms. Rodriguez hopes to one day channel her energies, to take on successfully the likes of Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, or Olivia Rodrigo. Then it will take not only a multi-talented sensation, like Chris Brown, who can sometimes have his near constant musical success. Drowned out, by his verbal, and sometimes physical altercations, and spats of violence which he’s intemperately known for.

But also, a face, a name, a song, someone who can introduce her to the newly coveted Chinese Media, and Pop Market. Which at over 100 million alone, can make up the bulk career sales of an artist like her, easily.

And that takes into account the not so casual, and yet still even more sophisticated politics, and censoring, which may inevitably follow the singers personae, irregardless, of how far, and deep, she intends on penetrating this lucrative, and accessible “eastern” marketplace.

From my own experiences with the process of the making of a Pop Star. I can attest to, while trying out for one of the many back up boy bands, for the Justin Timberlake led N’SYNC. While they (N’SYNC) were on hiatus from contract talks in my home state of Florida. Just how grueling a schedule it can come to inhabit.

I remember happening upon the younger Chris Brown, who was in the middle of one the most successful tours of that decade. With his own solo boyband act. What I can tell you about him, and his demeanor, which by then, was already accustomed to success, and the benefits which can come from it. At his most earnest, he could be entirely convincing. From his almost manic obsession with performing, and dancing to get the Paula Abdul tutored choreography in place. To his patient, and now stereotypical “genius”, in the production and post-production process of his record breaking career.

And I never doubted his commitment to his tour mates, and his management, which did, and still does, closely guard his image, and perhaps true personae, which at times can be deeply, and coolly intellectual. Of course, from the peering, and public eye.

When I asked him, Chris Brown, at the time, if he plans on going to school after his Global Worldwide Tour was over. He simply shrugged, and said that he was focused on singing right now. When I told him that I planned on pursuing a career in Hollywood as a writer, and actor. He simply shrugged, and said he might do some acting later on. “If the right project” comes along. He was at that time in negotiations to do both the Super Bowl, and a lengthy Pepsi advertisement campaign. Later he would beat me pretty easily in a game of pick-up basketball. This at the zenith of my adolescent athleticism.

After that, and seeing how hard he worked, and put into even the nutritional support he received during the day. I knew that he had in all likelihood earned every bit of his now storied success in the music industry. And that his most successful ideas, were often the ones he would end up endeavoring upon.

What I mean is this.

With a musician as talented as Chris Brown, and the Neptunes, open to paving the way for her continued success. It seems that the same success which I witnessed in Chris Brown, and others. With their help and guidance. Is only that much closer for Mia Rodriguez, and her erstwhile Punk “Pop Princess” musical ambitions.

And that’s not “Psycho”.

No matter how many times she must repeat it.

Even, while still getting it right.

Not Psycho, at all.