Strutting in Stilettos: Music’s Rising Stars Share Shoe Stories at Spotify’s Best New Artist Party
The red carpet was alive with the click-clack of stiletto heels and splash of bold footwear as Spotify’s 2024 Best New Artist nominees made their entrances at the streaming giant’s annual celebratory bash in Los Angeles. Though the evening was abuzz with music’s hottest up-and-comers – from R&B songstress Coco Jones to alt-pop princess Gracie Abrams – women’s shoes still managed to steal a bit of the spotlight.
“I do a lot of calf lifts,” revealed Coco Jones who commanded attention in red pointy pumps and a vibrant crochet skirt. “Because my calves are really strong, I walk on a different part of my foot. I can just balance my foot. If one part is hurting, I can balance the next part. It’s really interesting. It’s like a tightrope.” So that’s how she manages to strut for hours on end in those sky-high heels!
Fellow nominee Remi Wolf, clad in a vintage layered dress and glossy Mary Janes, confessed her devotion for Prada stems so deep it’s tattooed on her skin. “I have the words ‘Prada loafer’ tattooed on my leg,” she dished. “Amongst my tights and leg hair is a beautiful Prada loafer tattoo. I got it done in my hotel room at the Ace Hotel in New York. I bought the Prada loafers that morning and got the tattoo that night.”
Speaking of Prada lovers, Gracie Abrams was head-to-toe in the Italian luxury label, but she revealed her early days of learning to walk in heels started closer to home. “I have big feet, and my mom had these boots that had a heel I thought was like the biggest deal of all time, and I remember just stomping around the hall in my room, kind of like in circles, thinking I was doing something right,” she recalled with amusement.
While towering heels might intimidate some, singer-songwriter Chappell Roan embraced avant-garde split-toe shoes for a modern edge. “These are from Etsy, from a small brand. I’m barely standing up. I need some help. There’s an invisible heel,” she explained of her gravity-defying footwear. “I’m really on my tippy toes.”
Paying homage to Hollywood’s original style icon Dorothy Gale, singer Laufey donned scene-stealing ruby red metallic slippers reminiscent of Dorothy’s famous sparkling kicks from The Wizard of Oz. “I wear a lot of red shoes. I love red shoes,” she said. “I think it’s a perfect pop of color. It is kind of like paying a little bit of homage to Dorothy.”
Michael and Tanya Trotter of Americana duo The War And Treaty also followed the red shoe dress code. “I have a lot of different combat boots, heels, cowboy boots. I love any stylish shoe,” Tanya shared.
Country artist Jelly Roll hit the step and repeat with wife Bunny Xo by his side in custom Air Jordan Retro 1 Hi sneakers gifted by the iconic Grand Ole Opry venue. “The Grand Ole Opry gifted me these shoes,” he explained of the meaningful footwear.
British electro artist Aluna was crafty and customized her own metallic mules on display. “I’m gonna make these shoes into at least eight different pairs by the end of the year,” she revealed of her creative plans. “It’s all about nature, and I’m going to be wearing this with something green soon.” Preach, Eco Queen!
And TikTok star Dixie D’Amelio, whose family launched popular footwear brand D’Amelio, confessed she still struggles strutting as well as her platform heel-loving sister Charli after going through high heel walking lessons with mom Heidi growing up. “I walk back and forth to learn how to walk and I’m still really bad, but my sister is amazing at it. So I just tried to be like her.”
With an eclectic mix of fashion-forward looks and plenty of fabulous shoes, Spotify’s 2024 Best New Artist nominees brought both solid vocals and serious sole game to this year’s celebratory red carpet pre-party. We can’t wait to see their soleful style statements at the Grammy Awards!
