If there were ever a pop star who could seamlessly slide into Blair Waldorf’s designer heels, it’s Leah Kate. She radiates the same unapologetic confidence, razor-sharp wit, and undeniable style, except instead of ruling the Upper East Side, she’s reigning over the alt-pop world with biting lyrics and infectious hooks. Just Because is her latest record, a project that feels like a late-night confessional wrapped in pulsating beats and cathartic melodies.
The title track, Just Because, is pure emotional whiplash. Written in the raw aftermath of a phone call from an ex, it plays like an unfiltered diary entry set to music. There’s no sugarcoating, no careful wording—just the sting of heartbreak delivered with an edge sharp enough to cut. “When I’m not with you in the city, it just eats me alive,” she sings, capturing that uniquely New York brand of longing. The track thrives on vulnerability, a side of Leah Kate that she’s never exposed quite like this before.
But make no mistake, she’s not here to wallow. Tracks like Nasty and What Girls Do double down on the high-energy, bad-bitch anthems that fans have come to love. Nasty is a sleek, no-holds-barred takedown dripping in attitude, the kind of song you blast while strutting down the street like you own it. Meanwhile, What Girls Do flips the script on tired narratives, reclaiming the chaos, contradictions, and independence that define modern femininity. It’s cheeky, rebellious, and effortlessly cool—a masterclass in turning the tables with a smirk.
Then there’s Unbreakup, which manages to channel all the frustration of an on-again, off-again relationship into an explosive, stadium-ready anthem. This is Leah Kate at her best: unfiltered, unafraid, and fully aware of her ability to make heartbreak feel empowering. Every lyric feels designed to be screamed back at her in a packed venue, and it’s clear she knows it—her approach to songwriting is deeply influenced by the energy of her live shows.
With over a billion streams to her name, Leah Kate’s evolution from viral sensation to full-fledged pop powerhouse is undeniable. She’s managed to refine her sound without losing the rawness that makes her music so gripping. While Just Because maintains the signature honesty and in-your-face lyrics of earlier tracks like 10 Things I Hate About You, there’s a noticeable shift in production. The record leans less on guitar-driven angst and more on slick, pulsating beats, allowing her sharp lyricism to take center stage in a way that feels even more cutting.
Beyond the music itself, Leah Kate’s cultural impact continues to grow. From soundtracking hit shows like Selling Sunset to dominating TikTok, she’s become an unexpected but fitting voice of empowerment. Yet, despite her boldness, she doesn’t write with an agenda. The empowerment factor is just an organic extension of who she is—someone who naturally gravitates toward healing and lifting others up, even while working through her own pain.
So what’s next? More music, more tours, and maybe even a dream collaboration with Dua Lipa if she gets her way. But if Just Because proves anything, it’s that Leah Kate is in full control of her trajectory. She’s evolving, but she’s not compromising. Whether she’s making us cry, scream, or dance, she’s doing it on her terms—and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
1. “Just Because” captures such a raw and personal moment. Did writing this song bring you closure, or did it open up even more emotions?
It definitely opened up more of my emotions because every time I listen to it, I’m reminded of the person and experience I wrote it about. So I definitely think it opened up another can of worms.
2. How does Just Because compare to your past singles in terms of vulnerability and storytelling?
I think it’s the most vulnerable song I’ve ever written, the lyrics honestly came from a diary entry of a really emotional night I had in New York and I literally turned it into a song. So it doesn’t get more real than this one.
3. You wrote the lyrics the same night your ex called—was it one of those “lyrics just poured out” moments, or did you refine the song over time?
It was literally a diary entry turned into a song, like if you saw what I wrote down in my journal that night it was literally the lyrics you’re hearing in the song, so it’s very real and truthful to me.
4. The song is inspired by a night in New York City—did the energy of the city influence the way you wrote or produced it?
For sure, I think whenever my friends listen to the song they’re like, “It sounds so cool girl new york” and I’m like “what haha?” so I think there’s little things in there like the lyric, “when I’m not with you in the city it just eats me alive” and all these things… It just sounds super New York and we did write it there so I think that is really conveyed when you listen.
5. With over a billion global streams, how do you think your sound has evolved since 10 Things I Hate About You?
I think lyrically it’s very similar, very in your face, honest, vulnerable lyrics, but I definitely think the sound has changed. You know, it’s not so guitar heavy. I just really wanna keep evolving my sound and I never really wanna make the same sounding song. So I keep trying to change some elements to keep it in the same world as Leah Kate but grow at the same time.
6. Your songs always feel bold and fearless—do you ever have moments of doubt when writing such personal lyrics?
No never. The more personal the better for me.
7. You’ve performed in sold-out venues across the world. How does performing live influence the way you create music in the studio?
It for sure impacts the way I create music because I always think how will this translate live? Like will this be so fun to perform live? Every song I write I’m like “will this be something my fans scream at my tour?” and if it’s a yes then that means I love the song.
8. You’ve had major viral moments on TikTok—how has social media shaped your career and the way you release music?
Yes, I definitely have. Social media is the reason why I have a career, so I’m super grateful for it because I always wanted to do this for my job and I never knew how with record labels. I didn’t know how to get in contact with the label, I didn’t even know how to put music out, so tiktTikTokok honesty is the reason I have a career so I’m very grateful.
9. Your music has been featured in hit shows like Selling Sunset—how does it feel to see your songs become part of pop culture moments?
Really unbelievable and I still don’t believe it when I see it.
10. Many fans see your music as anthems of empowerment. Do you intentionally write with that in mind, or does it naturally come through?
It just naturally comes through. I think with my friends, I’m always the therapist to everyone and always wanna help people even if they don’t wanna help me back. I’m that friend that just wants to make people feel better. So I just think I naturally do that subconsciously with my lyrics. I want whoever’s listening to heal.
11. Can we expect more music soon? Maybe a larger project or even another tour announcement?
Oh yeah we’re gonna get an album, we’re getting collabs, we’re getting tours, we’re getting it all.
12. If you could collaborate with any artist in the future, who would it be and why?
Dua because I’m her biggest fan and I love her.
The Hollywood Six 