Charli XCX addressed the autobiographical elements of her new film, The Moment, and reflected on her growing acting ambitions during a press conference at the Sundance Film Festival, where the quasi-mockumentary premiered Friday.
During a post-screening Q&A, Charli XCX was asked how closely the exaggerated version of herself depicted in the film aligns with her real-life persona. She acknowledged clear parallels, while stopping short of full identification.
“I’m obviously quite related to my character, so I had a lot of inspiration to pull from,” she said. “I’d like to think I’m not as much of a nightmare as Charli XCX in the film, but my real managers are in the audience, so they probably know the true answer.”
Charli XCX described the emotional volatility portrayed in the film as rooted in lived experience, citing the highs and lows of a career that began when she was 16. She spoke candidly about periods of confidence and success, as well as moments of self-doubt and instability, noting that the industry has exposed her to many of the character types reflected in the film.
“I’ve met the people who support you no matter what, even when you’re difficult,” she said. “I’ve met people who want proximity to the artist, and people who claim to understand you but don’t. I’ve had a lot of practice reacting to all of that in real life, and I drew from those experiences.”
The Moment, directed by Aidan Zamiri, blends scripted narrative with documentary-style elements, presenting a heightened portrait of fame, creative pressure, and professional dependency. Charli XCX plays a version of herself navigating a psychological unraveling amid the demands of her career.
The film is one of three projects featuring Charli XCX at Sundance this year. She also appears in I Want Your Sex, directed by Gregg Araki, and The Gallerist, directed by Cathy Yan, marking a notable expansion of her screen work.
During the discussion, Charli XCX framed her move into acting as a deliberate shift following the success of her most recent musical era. Referencing the conclusion of her Brat cycle, she described a desire to redirect her creative energy.
“Right now, I really want that chapter to stop,” she said. “As artists, you want to challenge yourself and step into a completely different creative space. I want to work with directors who allow me to live entirely different lives for a while.”
The Moment is scheduled to open in theaters on January 30.
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