New UK pop sensation Sienna Spiro has voiced strong criticism regarding the treatment of women within the music industry, labeling the environment behind the scenes as "just awful" and a "boys' club."
In a recent interview with Music Week, Spiro, 20, who gained significant traction through TikTok, stated that women are "absolutely not treated equally behind the scenes, in management, labels, studios, everywhere." She added that her awareness of this disparity has grown as her career has progressed.
Despite the changing landscape for front-facing female artists, Spiro believes the experiences of women working backstage are dire. "It's really alarming to see," she told the publication, expressing hope for future improvements.
Spiro's own career has been significantly propelled by social media, particularly TikTok, where she maintains over four million followers and has garnered 130.5 million likes. However, she prefers to manage her personal social media accounts herself, citing a desire for control.
Her advice to fellow artists is to create content that is authentic and personally meaningful, suggesting that "people gravitate towards authenticity."
Spiro's rising global profile was further evidenced by the rapid sell-out of pre-sale tickets for her upcoming tour across the UK, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
In other discussions, Spiro has previously opened up about personal struggles. A May cover interview with Rolling Stone magazine revealed her difficulties with food issues, which were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. She described feeling self-conscious about her appearance during performances and photo opportunities, leading her to wear looser clothing.
Spiro also discussed her ADHD diagnosis, which she found to be "validating and interesting to learn about." She indicated that themes of struggling to keep pace with others and feeling overwhelmed by awareness, potentially leading to isolation, are reflected in her music, such as the song "The Visitor."
Earlier this year, Spiro received a nomination for the BRITs Critics' Choice Award, achieving this recognition prior to the release of a studio album.