Rebecca Black was just 13 when she uploaded the music video for her notorious debut single ‘Friday’ to YouTube on February 10, 2011. Little did she know it would become one of the most disliked songs on the internet. The video went viral, amassing over 160 million views, 3.2 million dislikes, and a relentless flow of harsh comments from hundreds of thousands of users worldwide within its first year. Fast forward 736 Fridays to March 20, 2025, and the California queer icon performs a triumphant, sold-out show in London at HERE at Outernet, in front of 1,500 thrilled supporters.
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‘Friday’ originated when Black’s mother paid ARK Music Factory $4000 to produce a song and music video featuring her daughter. While it’s understandable why the song may not have resonated with everyone, it’s difficult to grasp the impact such an experience could have on someone at such a fragile age. The recent Netflix series ‘Adolescence’ has ignited national conversations about the negative and potentially harmful effects of social media, cyberbullying, and online echo chambers on young people's mental health. However, in 2011, these issues were still relatively new. Social media and YouTube were still developing, and the rise of Justin Bieber a few years earlier had fostered a troubling trend of widespread negativity aimed at teenage pop stars online.
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In London, many of Black’s fans are in their mid to late 20s and were around Black’s age when they first encountered ‘Friday’. Most acknowledge that they were somewhat part of the initial wave of ridicule. One fan reflects, “When I first heard it, I laughed like everyone else, but now looking back, she was just a child. Imagine having the entire internet against you at that age!” This sentiment resonates with much of the audience, invoking a slight feeling of guilt for not empathizing with her sooner. Overall, though, the mood is one of celebration. This marks Black’s biggest performance yet, and with the unconventional path she took to stardom, her fans feel that this moment is not only well-deserved but something that 13-year-old Rebecca could only dream of. She has since released two albums, and her 2023 debut LP ‘Let Her Burn’ confirmed her as a serious artist, followed last month by ‘Salvation’, a bold leap forward that received critical praise.
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In 2020, Black came out as queer and has since become a prominent voice in the LGBTQ+ alternative pop scene, collaborating with genre pioneers like Dorian Electra and Slayyyter. “The gay community is my salvation!” she exuberantly shouts as the crowd cheers in support. The performance unfolds in three acts, each marked by distinctive outfit changes and amusing intro videos. Black opens by reclaiming her viral hit, with a hyperpop remix of ‘Friday’ produced by Dylan Brady of 100 gecs blasting from the venue’s advanced sound system. She is joined by two male dancers, who create a memorable entrance by sharing a passionate kiss before launching into a playful and avant-garde routine.
Throughout her performance, Black expresses her love for London, declaring it her “favorite city in the world.” After previously selling out venues like Colours in Hoxton and Heaven in Charing Cross, London audiences have consistently supported Black since she began her international tours. The show also features tributes to SOPHIE, the late DJ, producer, and songwriter who was a trailblazer in the hyperpop genre during the early 2010s.
At one point, Black invites a fan onstage and performs the lead single ‘Sugar Water Cyanide’ from her new album. She instructs the fan to drink from a vial of an unknown liquid and then dramatically act out their demise. This kind of playful humor runs throughout the performance, with a background video showcasing a screen recording of the “pride collection” from Target’s online store, mostly featuring stuffed animals dressed in rainbow flags.
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As a final encore, Black covers Katy Perry’s ‘Ur So Gay’, with the lyrics displayed on screen styled like an early 2000s Karaoke video. Naturally, the crowd sings along enthusiastically. Black appeared in the music video for Perry’s 2011 hit ‘Last Friday Night’ and was a special guest on several stops of the Teenage Dream tour. Thus, it’s fitting that in a full-circle moment, Black will join Perry as the main supporting act for the ‘Lifetimes’ tour later this year.
Ending the show on a high note and showcasing her talent as a natural entertainer capable of captivating an audience across the ocean, we’re left pondering a question we never expected to ask in 2025: What’s next for Rebecca Black?
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‘Salvation’ is available now.
Words: Finlay Harrison
Photography: Elizabeth Lenthall
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Rebecca Black was just 13 years old when she uploaded the music video for her notorious debut single 'Friday' to YouTube on February 10, 2011. Unbeknownst