Photos + Words / @artcrooks
Makeup / @iamrodneyjon
Hair / @iyanawinfield
Photo studio + Showroom / @forthestarsfashionhouse
Natalie La Rose is stepping into a whole new vibe—not just as an artist, but as a mentor. Known for her powerhouse vocals and electric performances, she is now launching a six-session creative program through her Chic Foundation to help kids find their voices. The program blends music, movement, and teamwork, teaching students how to manage stress, resolve conflict, and stay true to themselves. It all builds up to a filmed talent showcase, plus Q&A sessions with industry pros who will drop real talk and inspiration. And if that weren’t enough, Natalie hopes to bring some of these young stars on tour as opening acts. Talk about paying it forward.
Her impact is already global. On a recent trip back to Suriname, her home country, Natalie teamed up with the First Lady for What’s YoUR Talent? Together, they led a dance workshop for more than 40 kids and selected 10 to feature in one of her music videos. “Seeing those kids light up and feel seen is everything,” she says. Through her foundation’s focus on creativity, hope, inspiration, and confidence, Natalie is helping young people rise and shine—on stage and beyond.
Musically, Natalie is releasing a fresh new single Not Nice. Produced by Shaye, who infuses his Indian heritage into the mix, the track carries a Brazilian funk bounce with a confident, playful edge. “It’s like a dance battle in my head,” Natalie laughs. “I haven’t come to play. Whoever wants the smoke, I got it.” She debuted the song live on July 4 at Race to the Fourth in Florida, bringing the energy and owning the moment.
For this shoot, I got to switch things up and style Natalie for the first time. Usually behind the camera, I stepped into a new role alongside Jacob Meir, the genius behind For The Stars Fashion House, who has worked with Cardi B, Tyra Banks, and Jennifer Lopez. Jacob opened the doors to his personal photo studio in the heart of Melrose, where we created looks that capture Natalie’s fearless new chapter—style, strength, and pure creative fire.
You’ve spoken about feeling voiceless early in life. How has that shaped your mission to mentor young people today?
Yes ,there was a point in my life that I felt voiceless. I had the top 10 song on the billboard chart, and was touring all over the world. Yet in the environment that I was in, I didn’t feel like my opinion mattered or was appreciated. I didn’t feel heard. This was incredibly difficult for me, because self expression has always been a core part of who I am. Over time, the emotional weight of this experience even manifested physically. I literally lost my voice. I couldn’t sing and even speaking felt restricted. It took years of healing, self discovery and determination to get to a place where I could have normal conversations again without fearing whether my voice would work. Today, I’ve channeled this journey into my foundation, CHIC – Creativity, Hope, Inspiration, and Confidence. Through music and dance, my mission is to inspire young people to dream big, believe in themselves, and know that their voice matters.
What do you hope students will take away from your creative program beyond music and movement?
One of the programs I’m most excited about through my CHIC Foundation is Rise N Shine, launching this fall. It’s a 6 week journey where students not only explore their talents, but also learn to trust their own voice and face challenges with confidence. Through music and dance, they will express themselves, collaborate, and create a final showcase that’s completely their own. My goal is that they walk away not just with new creative skills, but with a deeper belief in themselves. Knowing they can turn their ideas into reality, no matter what obstacles come their way.
Your new single “Not Nice” blends Brazilian funk with a bold, confident energy. How does this track reflect your current artistic and personal journey?
The essence of ‘Not Nice’ is about trusting yourself and owning your confidence. Sometimes, showing up fully in your power will be celebrated, and sometimes it won’t. But it’s not our job to shrink or change who we are to make others comfortable. That’s where the “not nice” comes in. It’s not about being unkind, it’s about being unapologetic. And that’s exactly where I am in my life right now: living my truth, on my terms, free from anyone else’s expectations.
How has your heritage and recent work with the First Lady of Suriname influenced your vision for community and creativity?
I’ve been diving deeper into my Afro-Caribbean roots with my new music. Afro rhythms carry such a strong ancestral connection, and creating this music allows me to tap into the core of who I am. I recently DJ’d at a festival in California and introduced these rhythms into my set. everyone was moving together like there was no tomorrow, it was so beautiful to witness. This is really at the heart of my vision: using creativity to connect people. Whether it’s through my heritage, my foundation work, or my music, it all comes back to bringing people together. We’re all in this thing called life together!
When faced with challenges or doubt, what helps you stay connected to your creativity and purpose?
These days, meditation and breathwork are what keep me grounded. For years, people told me I should try it, but l was very skeptical. I didn’t think sitting still and breathing could actually change anything. But trust me when I say it’s for everyone. These practices have helped me strip away outside noise and reconnect with who I truly am. They’ve taught me to start each day with gratitude, and when you’re aligned with yourself in that way, everything else begins to fall into place naturally.
What advice would you offer young artists striving to find their authentic voice in today’s industry?
Stay true to who you are, even when the industry tries to mold you into something else. Your authenticity is your biggest power. Explore without fear, experiment with new ideas, sounds, and visuals. Don’t hold back. And most importantly, surround yourself with people who support your vision and encourage you to be exactly who you are. The right environment will help your authentic voice shine!
