embodiment like how pop stars do it

2:19

Apr 25, 2025

Greetings, reader.

I went to Coachella! Never thought I’d go, I realized, because I’d deemed it something only rich kids at my college did. But whatever—why can’t I be rich kids?

The real thing that makes me unfit for Coachella is that I can’t hang. I did well during the day, but by nightfall, I was sitting in dirt with my friend’s little sister, who was on her phone. On night two, I went to camp early and read in the tent. A friend of the group’s hovered his thumb to thumb and his pointer to pointer and said, “I get the sense you’re kind of a square,” which sounds mean but, you know. Fair read.

But I had a really fun time! My favorite part was seeing the singers perform. Here were a few of the most classically successful artists in the world (Lady Gaga, Megan thee Stallion, Charli XCX). They’re far away, so you end up watching them on the ginormous screens that frame the stage, but you always see them on screens and hear them over speakers. I liked to stand on toes and focus eyes to find their bodies on the stage, performing live what was projected above them. Actually seeing them humanized them to me. The scale of what they’ve achieved as artists seemed especially impressive. A sea of us screaming for a tiny figure on the stage.

And the pop star performs for us, fully inhabited. An embodiment that speaks to training, practice, and an ability to merge themselves fully with their craft. I admired them for it, and as soon as I had a moment with my phone and some cell service, I found a pole dancing class to take back home. I actually went last night. It was a lot of fun but the membership prices make me wonder if I’m the type of person who uses other, possibly YouTube instructed ways to practice embodiment. (The rich kids conundrum again.)

I’m sure I’ll make something work. Hope to hear from you. I’ll write again soon.