Q&A: Isabel LaRosa Turns Unfinished Love into Something Cinematic on ‘American Wedding’
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY DANY MIRELES ☆
“IT’S HELPFUL FOR ME TO WRITE THESE THINGS WHEN YOU FEEL THEM; IT HELPS ME WORK THROUGH EMOTIONS”—Heartbreak rarely arrives all at once; sometimes it begins with the thrill of falling for someone, only to end with the realization that the future you imagined together will belong to someone else. On “American Wedding,”Isabel Larosa captures both ends of the emotional spectrum, crafting a song that feels expansive while holding on to intimacy like a personal diary. Built around sweeping production, the track explores the complicated space between acceptance and longing; where love still exists even after letting go.
Although fans waited long before the song’s official release, the track finally made it out to the world. Now, it has become a testament to LaRosa’s ability to transform vulnerable experiences into songs that resonate far beyond her own story. With devastating lyrics, she creates a sound that feels cathartic and addictive, inviting fans to dance through emotions that they might not have yet found for themselves.
In conversation with LUNA, Isabel LaRosa reflects on experiences that inspired “American Wedding,” why revisiting these emotions was both necessary and painful and how her songwriting has evolved throughout her career.
LUNA: “American Wedding” feels incredibly cinematic and emotional. What was the moment or feeling that first inspired you to write this song?
LAROSA: “American Wedding” started in two pieces. The chorus came from a place of the euphoric feeling of first falling for someone and developing feelings. The verses were unintentionally written after a situation had ended and knowing that I was not going to be part of this person’s life and that they would have a life with somebody that wasn’t going to be me.
LUNA: The song explores the tension between acceptance and longing. Was it difficult to revisit those emotions while writing and recording it?
LAROSA: Yes, definitely. I had gone through a situation that was going on for a while where it felt like I was having to convince someone to stay with me, so it was tough to write lines about coming home to a family one day when I was going through it. However, I think it’s helpful to write these things when you feel them because, for me, it helps me work through those emotions.
LUNA: You’ve been teasing “American Wedding” for months on social media. What has it been like watching fans build anticipation before finally hearing the full version?
LAROSA: It’s funny, I wasn’t planning on releasing it, but it just got to a point where fans were bullying me so hard to release it. The song was done, and I have always loved it, but for everybody else, it wasn’t necessarily their favorite, which is why it wasn’t put on Promising Young Woman. I’m glad my fans convinced me to release it!
LUNA: Your music often blends dark production with deeply vulnerable lyrics. How do you find the balance between creating something emotionally heavy while still making it exciting to listen to?
LAROSA: Generally with songs, what I love the most is when it’s a song that doesn’t sound sad, but the lyrics are really depressing. If the production feels euphoric and grand, then you can get away with sad lyrics, which I find entertaining.
LUNA: Both Promising Young Woman and “American Wedding” feel deeply personal. Do you think you’ve become more comfortable sharing vulnerable parts of yourself through your music?
LAROSA: Absolutely! It almost felt like I was writing from a character's perspective and what the character experienced. Promising Young Woman and my music have been very personal, and I think I’ve grown more comfortable in knowing how to talk about these things in a way that doesn’t make me feel uncomfortable.
LUNA: The title “American Wedding” immediately creates a vivid image. Why did that concept feel like the right way to tell this story?
LAROSA: I had that lyric lying around for a while, and I really liked the way that it felt so grand and theatrical almost. It’s a distinct title, and so I wanted to take that and pull it back down with the lyrics in the rest of the song.
LUNA: Your fans connect with your songs on a deeply personal level. Have any fan stories or reactions surprised or moved you recently?
LAROSA: There are always so many that surprise me. On my last day in London, I did a fan pop-up event and got to meet a bunch of fans and play them some songs. With "Porcelain," seeing how they reacted to the song and then seeing them cry reminded me how we are all just people and how music can be such a throughline in our lives. To see it in person, in real time, was just very moving.
LUNA: Your sound has become instantly recognizable. Were there any artists, films or visual influences that helped shape the atmosphere of “American Wedding?”
LAROSA: Yes! I distinctly thought of Lana Del Rey with “American Wedding.” I feel like it’s very much her. The song felt, to me, aesthetically like if you are going to a wedding chapel in Vegas and getting married, or you’re driving with the windows down, but you’re getting lovebombed by somebody at the same time.
LUNA: After releasing Promising Young Woman and now “American Wedding,” how do you feel you’ve evolved as both a songwriter and a person over the past year?
LAROSA: I’ve evolved a lot. When Raven came out, I was only just beginning to understand how to write about my life and experiences in different formats. When we were writing Promising Young Woman and all the songs there, I’ve been able to allow myself to experiment a lot more and take different approaches to writing, which has been so fun and thrilling.
LUNA: Looking ahead, does “American Wedding” offer a glimpse into the direction of your next chapter, or is it more of a standalone release for your fans?
LAROSA: It’s hard to say. The stuff I’ve been working on right now feels different than “American Wedding,” and I couldn’t say for certain yet, but I do know there will be things that feel like it on upcoming releases.
