Bella Kay's recklessly bold pop banger 'iloveitiloveitiloveit' is on track to be the breakout song of 2026. The chaotic anthem has already spent 8 weeks in the Top 10 of the Official Singles Chart, been streamed more than 250 million times and helped fuel a sell-out UK tour that Bella just wrapped up with a very noisy singalong set at The Great Escape.
"That song is a great introduction to who I am," says Bella. "But I really didn't think it was going to kick off this whole crazy thing."
Bella has been making music since she discovered Lizzy McAlpine and the wave of bedroom pop stars that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I wanted to be a part of that," she explains, and she begged her dad to get her a guitar. At first, she did it because it was fun to write emotionally devastating indie-pop songs, but as college felt more like a chore, she started uploading her sparky original tracks to TikTok. "I was just trying to do whatever would help me get a full-time career," she says before breaking into a grin. "It happened much faster than I ever thought it would, though."
'The Sick', released last summer, was chosen as her debut single because of how well teasing snippets were doing online, and the 'Sick To My Stomach' EP followed a few months later. Her raw, unapologetic lyrics, delivered with a little venom, immediately won Bella a fanbase.
But while other people suggested she do more of the heartbroken same, Bella wanted to make something "a little more upbeat and fun" next, which is where 'iloveitiloveitiloveit' came from. "I'm just really against being boxed in," she explains. "Whenever somebody tries to tell me what sort of artist I am, I [push back]."
"It showed me that I can be a little out there and people will be okay with that"
— Bella Kay
Like all of her songs, 'iloveitiloveitiloveit' was written about a real-life situation Bella was going through. "It's got some relatable lyrics, and I guess people love the honesty," she says of why the track has connected with so many people. "Putting your heart out into the world is always a little bit of a nail-biter, but [when it connects], it's the best feeling."
The positive reaction has been incredibly validating, says Bella. "It showed me that I can be a little out there and people will be okay with that."
So far, every bold track Bella has released has felt like it's been torn straight from her diary. "I don't know if that's confidence, though. Honestly, I feel like it might be the opposite," she says. "I grew up writing songs for me in my room, so I've always just been pretty vulnerable."
Last month, Bella Kay followed up 'iloveitiloveitiloveit' with 'Promise?', a yearning track about "really liking someone that you are close to, but not having the guts to tell them." She's also just about to finish up her debut album. "It's not going to be what people expect [from me], but I don't think anyone is going to be disappointed either."
"It's a lot more honest, it's edgier, it's more fun but also still really sad," says Bella, who was inspired by classic Rihanna and sad acoustic guitar songs for the record. "It's a weird mix, but I think it's awesome. The goal is to put out a record that shows people who I am as an artist." And yes, she does feel like she has something to prove after her early wins. "It's happening so fast, and sometimes this all feels out of control."
"When I put out 'iloveitiloveitiloveit', I was at a point in my career where I was able to take more chances because not a lot of people were watching me, so I wasn't super nervous about releasing it." Now, though, there are a lot more eyes on Bella Kay, and she's got something to live up to. "Releasing music does feel like more of a risk now," she admits. "But the thing I learned with 'iloveit' is that you kinda have to take those risks."
"It’s happening so fast, and sometimes this all feels out of control"
— Bella Kay
It's why she's thrown herself into touring. "Connecting with the fans face-to-face is the most awesome thing you can do. I love social media; it's a really great way to bond with other people, but there's nothing like seeing that happen at a live show. It's the best part of what I do." The past few months have been a real "learning curve" though. "I've had to give myself a lot of grace that other people won't give me, just because I haven't been doing it that long. I'm learning every day, though, and I'm having so much fun."
Later this year, she'll open the UK leg of Noah Kahan's The Great Divide tour, which will see her playing some very big stages. "I am nervous about those shows, but I'm also really excited. I'm such a huge fan, and it's going to be so much fun. How can you say no [to that opportunity]?" There's some of that 'let's just see what happens' energy in everything she does.
Bella loves the energetic pop spectacles put on by Zara Larsson and Beyoncé, and still really adores how creative Lizzy McAlpine is with her gigs. For her own shows, though, she's created something more "laid back" that lets fans really feel that sense of togetherness that comes when a room full of people is screaming along to the same song. "I really do just want them to feel heard," says Bella. "We're doing this together."
That sense of camaraderie comes from the inspirational, warm relationships she has with her friends and family. "It's such a beautiful thing to be cared for and seen," she explains, and it's something she wants to bring into her music. "I'm a very ambitious person, but I don't feel like I need to have 10 more 'iloveits'. I just really want people to feel connected."
Bella Kay's single 'Promise?' is out now.
