Freya Skye opens up about impostor syndrome amid rapid rise to fame

Freya Skye has opened up about experiencing impostor syndrome as her music career rapidly gains momentum, revealing that her early success left her feeling both overwhelmed and surprised.

The 16-year-old singer reflected on performing at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, where she shared the stage with major artists including Ed Sheeran, Zara Larsson and Olivia Dean.

Speaking to Billboard, she admitted she initially felt out of place among such established names.

“I felt a lot of impostor syndrome [being] surrounded by these established artists that I’m inspired by,” she said, describing the emotional challenge of joining a star-studded lineup so early in her career.

However, those nerves quickly faded once she stepped on stage. Skye recalled being stunned when the audience began singing along to her music almost immediately.

“I started singing the first chorus, and people knew the words. I was so taken aback,” she said. “The song’s been out for three days!”

The singer, who released her single Silent Treatment in December, also shared her shock at reaching a major career milestone when she learned she had entered the Billboard Hot 100.

“I woke up and there was a text from my team saying, ‘Freya, you’ve made it onto the Billboard Hot 100,’” she recalled, adding that seeing her name alongside artists she grew up listening to felt surreal.

Despite her fast-rising profile, Skye said she remains focused on growth rather than pressure, expressing excitement about reaching new audiences.

“It’s one of my favourite things when I see someone saying, ‘Who is she?’” she said. “It excites me… there’s so many more people I have the opportunity to reach.”

Skye, who cites Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo as key inspirations, said she admires their songwriting and success.

She particularly praised Carpenter’s track things i wish you said, calling it “so brilliant” and expressing a wish she had written it herself.

The young artist also said Olivia Rodrigo has been a major influence on her career, from her early acting days in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series to her current success in music.