We’re Taught to Shrink Ourselves to Fit a Patriarchal World: Paris Paloma on Using Music to Call Out the Physical and Emotional Cost of the Patriarchy

My guest this week is my new musical obsession, Paris Paloma – an artist whose songs about diet culture, ageism, mental illness and toxic beauty standards have racked up hundreds of millions of streams around the world. Paris writes blisteringly honest music about what it means to live as a woman under patriarchy, and why so many of us are taught to shrink ourselves just to survive. We talk about the viral success of “Labour” and the messages she gets from listeners who say her work has transformed the way they see themselves and their place in the world. We dig into what it means to be labelled a “political” artist, why nothing is truly apolitical, and how patriarchy harms men as well as women. Paris also opens up about depression, therapy and the “warring parts” of herself that inspired her song “Hunter”, and why turning pain into art can be a lifeline.

ALBUM DETAILS:

Paris’ new album, Fatal Flaw is releasing on the 4th September 2026.

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CREDITS:

Host: Bryony Gordon

Guest: Paris Paloma

Producer: Laura Elwood-Craig

Assistant Producer: Tippi Willard

Studio Manager: Mitchell Lias