Jack Harlow opens up about early obsession with Fergie and her music

Jack Harlow has opened up about his early admiration for pop star Fergie, revealing that she was a major influence on him growing up — and even describing her as his “sexual awakening” at just eight years old.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, the 28-year-old rapper reflected on his childhood fascination with Fergie, saying it extended beyond music and into personal admiration.

“I loved Fergie… I think I was young… I was eight years old, but I was sexually attracted to her,” Harlow said. “Like, she was an awakening for me. But also I loved the music.”

He added that while he may have chosen his words differently in hindsight, he was being honest about how strongly he felt at the time, noting that he was equally drawn to her sound, including her performance style and rap verses.

Harlow also recalled attempting to perform the 2006 hit Fergalicious at his elementary school talent show, inspired by his admiration for the singer. 

However, he said teachers ultimately deemed the performance “too promiscuous,” and he instead assisted behind the scenes.

Despite that setback, Harlow later saw his early fandom come full circle. 

His 2022 single First Class famously sampled Fergie’s 2006 track Glamorous, leading to a high-profile collaboration moment when she joined him on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards that same year.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the time, Harlow said the collaboration felt personal and long-awaited, describing Fergie as a key artistic inspiration throughout his upbringing.

In a separate interview, the rapper also reflected on his evolving approach to music, saying he is now more focused on developing a distinct artistic identity rather than chasing immediate commercial success.

“I’m looking to carve out my own island,” he said, emphasizing a shift toward originality and long-term creative growth as he continues to shape his career.