Role Model Discusses His Breakthrough Year, From ‘Sally’ to Starring in Lena Dunham’s New Rom-Com

Tucker Pillsbury, who performs under the moniker Role Model, has reached pop's upper echelons through a string of career-defining moments. The 28-year-old artist points to supporting Gracie Abrams on tour, headlining storied venues such as Los Angeles' Greek Theatre and New York's Madison Square Garden, and generating viral buzz by performing his hit "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out" with surprise guests like Charli XCX and Natalie Portman. A particularly meaningful accomplishment for him has been cementing his status as an engaging live act. Originally a rapper known as Dillis, Pillsbury taught himself guitar using online videos and now features the instrument prominently in his sets—a strategic choice to highlight his artistic depth. "It solidifies myself as a proper musician and shows people how involved I am in the music," he remarks from Berlin.

His 2024 second album, "Kansas Anymore," and its subsequent deluxe release have further validated his artistic growth. The project marks a deliberate pivot from the electro-pop of his debut "Rx," which chronicled his past relationship with influencer Emma Chamberlain, toward a more layered, Americana-tinged sound. This sonic shift pairs bright, melodic arrangements with lyrically introspective and often somber themes, a duality that has struck a chord with listeners. As music journalist Janine Cole observed, "Pillsbury has mastered the art of the bittersweet anthem, using accessible production to deliver emotionally complex songwriting that expands his audience." The album's success underscores a broader trend in pop where artists blend genre influences to explore more nuanced emotional territory.

Role Model's expanding influence isn't confined to music. Strategic social media partnerships with peers like Renee Rapp and Laufey have broadened his reach, while his multifaceted appeal led to his acting debut in Lena Dunham's Netflix film "Good Sex," where he starred alongside Natalie Portman and Mark Ruffalo. Dunham, the creator of the influential HBO series "Girls," guided Pillsbury's transition to filmmaking by assigning him a rom-com watchlist as preparation. "It felt like a summer camp, which helped with any nerves," he recalls of the experience. This foray into acting reflects a growing pattern of musicians successfully crossing into narrative film, a path tread by everyone from Lady Gaga to Harry Styles.

Even amid a packed schedule of touring and filming, Pillsbury is already deep into crafting his third album. Collaborating with songwriter-producers Mason Stoops and Taylor Mackall, he's drawing inspiration from a curated 1970s-inspired playlist and an extensive visual mood board. The initial sessions have been notably fruitful, freeing him from the creative pressures that accompanied earlier work. "There's a weight off the shoulders," he shares. "We made more progress in the first two weeks than I did in a year and a half on the last album. It's already better, so I'm feeling good." With this accelerated creative pace and his proven ability to evolve across multiple mediums, Role Model's most impactful achievements likely remain on the horizon.