“Little by little, a little becomes a lot.” This quote captures the essence of Elle Duke‘s journey, as she channels her trials into triumphs through her music. Known for her ability to transform personal pain into universal stories, the young singer-songwriter introduces her latest single, “fragile.” Growing up in a religious family, Elle began to explore her own identity and express herself more freely, as evidenced f.e. by her empowering Bali photos, celebrating her body and personal growth.
Elle confides that the inspiration for “fragile” came during a particularly challenging time when she was subjected to verbal and emotional attacks. Her music has always been a conduit for expressing complex emotions, a trait that has brought her to collaborate with influential artists like Arty and Audien, achieving a Billboard #1 hit with “Craving.”
In our interview, we talked about her personal growth, the role of music in her life, and how she handles societal expectations. Each topic peels back layers of Elle’s artistic personality, offering insights into a woman who is as formidable as she is fragile.
photography: press
Ellee, can you share more about the personal experiences behind “fragile”?
As a woman in our day and age, I am underestimated a lot. I think a lot of girlies can relate to this. I am someone who feels things deeper than your average Joe. There’s been many times in my life when people, especially some men, try to use that against me as some kind of character flaw to equate weakness. It’s been assumed more often than not that I can be easily manipulated. This year especially I have dealt with that in a big way, and I wrote this song in the midst of an experience where I really needed to remind myself how powerful and resilient I am. Regardless of what some people may say, I have come so far and just because I express emotion does not make me less strong, I think it makes me even stronger.
If you could say one thing to the people who inspired “fragile,” what would it be?
The first verse lyrics:
“When you said I was fragile
I think you forgot
That I’m not your ego
Even I’m not that soft”
Growing up in a religious household in Utah, how did songwriting become an outlet for you?
I didn’t grow up in a home where expressing emotions was really a thing. I didn’t learn how to communicate my feelings, that was something I had to teach myself much later in my life. So as a young kid music was therapeutic for me. It was (and still is) my safe space. I don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing, or being too much. I don’t have to pretend I’m okay when I’m not.
“Just because I express emotion does not make me less strong, I think it makes me even stronger.”
And what role did music play in your early life?
It brought me so much JOY. There were times I would fake sick just so I could stay home from school and finish a song I was working on. It really was my whole world in so many ways. When I was having problems with friends, music was my friend. When I felt alone at home, it kept me company. When I got rejected by a crush, it always accepted me.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while stepping away from the Mormon religion and pursuing your music career?
When I was beginning to realize it wasn’t something I wanted to be a part of anymore, I started posting things on social media that would be considered “risqué.” When in reality it was like me wearing a bikini at the beach, or getting more piercings, or my first tattoo. I started losing followers rapidly. I would get messages from people saying I’d “changed” and they were “disappointed that I was no longer being the example they thought I should be.” It was really hard because I didn’t feel like I was doing anything that actually made me a bad example or person… but I began to feel like I was. Psychologically it really messes with you in this way where you feel like you are collectively “letting the group down.” I really struggled to let go of the expectations people had for me, and it took years of therapy for me to fully break out of that mindset.
What motivated your decision to become an independent artist after working with major labels?
I needed to figure out who I was without so many cooks in the kitchen. There can be a lot of input and opinions constantly circling which can make hearing your own voice challenging. I also was not able to release music when I was signed and that was a really difficult experience so I think just having the freedom to do what I want without being so controlled fit my style a lot better. At the time being signed to a label felt a little too similar to being in a religion maybe? (laughs)
“Music was my safe space. I don’t have to pretend I’m okay when I’m not.”
Integrity and empathy are central to your work. How do you see these values impacting your view on societal issues and your approach to relationships in general?
I firmly believe the purpose in being alive is to learn how to love ourselves, and learn how to love each other. With all the divisiveness in our world, sometimes I feel this angry urge to lash out and try to fight it all at once. I’ve had times where that anxiety and frustration consumes me. I think what I’m discovering is sometimes you make the biggest impact when you are conquering your own daily battles and sharing those raw moments. I love this quote, “little by little, a little becomes a lot.” I think that’s so applicable to societal issues and relationships that the biggest difference can be made by staying consistent with your self work and sharing it as much as you can to lift and inspire others around you. I know it’s so cliche, but I really wish every single person could feel accepted and loved for exactly who they are. I think this world would be a much less lonely place.
I noticed on Instagram that you share some personal and empowering posts, like the beautiful Bali photos where you mentioned losing followers after posting bikini pictures. I’m so glad to see you celebrating your body—it’s so important to feel at home in it. How did you make the shift to embrace and celebrate your body so confidently?
Body positivity is something I’ve always admired in other women. To have the confidence to own it is something I’ve always wanted to feel myself. Utilizing therapy and different self affirmation practices, over time I’ve been able to let go of the shame I used to have around my body and build a much more loving relationship with it. As someone who is really active it also feels good to see progress in my body and openly be proud of that. I’m inspired by others who do that as well, and if people want to think of it as vain or conceited or offensive, honestly that’s not my problem. At some point you gotta just say to hell with the haters, wish em the best, and keep doing what makes you happy.
I also love your posts about your relationship. Your approach to sharing your love life is so open and beautiful. What does love mean to you, and how has your relationship influenced your music?
My relationship is so special to me. Auz is the first person who showed me unconditional love. I’d never felt it before him. Feeling that kind of love has changed me in so many ways. Finally finding a healthy relationship, and an incredible life partner, has allowed me to write more music about life and my own personal journey. As much as I live for a good breakup song, finding him has allowed me so much more space in my art to go places that I never could in my past.
Where do you see yourself in around 10 years?
I genuinely have no idea. My main goal in life right now is staying present as much as possible, but I know whatever is happening in my life 10 years from now is going to be amazing.
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