Exclusive: Rebecca Black Says She Is Doing Things 'on Her Own Terms': 'I'm Really Happy'

Rebecca Black, who rose to fame when she was 13 years old following the viral release of her debut single "Friday" on YouTube, is living her best life.

"When you’re younger, you naturally trust people who’ve been in the industry longer because you’re figuring everything out, but over time, I realized that just because someone’s done it before doesn’t mean they know how to do it the way I want to. And just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Finding your own path — and seeing it work — is everything," the singer, 28, exclusively told Morning Honey ahead of her exclusive set at -196 Vodka Seltzer’s Konbini Backroom VIP event in NYC on March 26.

Black successfully rebranded, releasing Rebecca Black Was Here in 2021 and her album Let Her Burn in 2023. She is known as an LGBTQ+ advocate and has cultivated a loyal fanbase, in addition to being a successful DJ.

"I’ve put a lot of work into understanding my craft. Every tour, every show, I’m learning," she shared. "I’ve also realized that a huge part of this job is leadership — uplifting the people around you, and I’m lucky to work with people who believe in me. Anyone who didn’t is no longer around. That’s made everything easier because I’m not constantly fighting to be let in."

"It’s been really special. I’ve been surprised by how quickly it’s connected with people," she continued. "When I first started DJing, it was just an outlet — a hobby. I played house parties and clubs in L.A., often just knowing the promoter or signing up to learn. When I got the opportunity to do Boiler Room, I was shocked. Then seeing the response was incredibly exciting. Now I’m doing things on my own terms. Every choice I make — whether it’s brand partnerships or my career — is meaningful and reflects who I am."

For Black, she's come a long way in the past 15 years.

"If there’s one thing I’d want people to take away, it’s that there are so many options other than quitting," she said. "Walking away can be powerful if it’s on your own terms — if you feel like someone else is writing your story. It’s harder to choose yourself, and it takes trust and self-reflection, but it’s always worth it. It feels like how it was always meant to happen. I don’t think anyone is really equipped to jumpstart a career as a teenager. You need time to learn about yourself to become a meaningful artist. I’m just really happy and having a great time."

The musician is also "excited" to make a huge impact in the male-dominated industry.

"There’s also been a beautiful uplift of queer artists," she noted. "We’re seeing more underground sounds enter the mainstream. The people making real contributions mustn’t be pushed aside, and I think that’s starting to change."

"My live shows are ways to fully showcase who I am, and DJing has become a powerful extension of that. It helps me show my taste and become a better performer," she continued. "With a live set, everything is pre-planned, but with DJing, everything is on the fly. You might plan something that the crowd just isn’t feeling, so you have to adapt and pull them in. It’s taught me so much. Also, DJing is kind of selfish — in the best way. You get to create the club you always wanted to go to."

In the meantime, Black was thrilled to perform an exclusive set at -196 Vodka Seltzer’s Konbini Backroom VIP event. Throughout the evening, she played high-energy hits, including a "Friday" remix, while sipping on -196’s new tall boys.

"I’m so excited about it because I genuinely love the brand. The seltzer is so delicious. -196 is a premium vodka seltzer brand from Japan, and they’re all about bringing Konbini Backroom culture into different spaces. For this event, they’re bringing it to New York, which is such a staple place for me to play," she shared. "I’ve never been to Tokyo yet, but I’ve heard amazing things. I’ve always wanted to go and play there—the culture and nightlife sound incredible. So I’m really excited to help bring that energy into New York and into the States. It’s going to be such a special, once-in-a-lifetime experience."

"For me, my DJ ethos is all about surprise — doing the unexpected. That’s exactly what they’re trying to do too, so it feels like a really seamless partnership," she added.

Black also loves -196 Vodka Seltzer, especially the lemon flavor. "It’s hard to find something that’s actually flavorful and delicious, but the lemon tastes so real. The strawberry surprised me too — I’ve tried other strawberry flavors before, and this one is just the best," she said.