Carly Pearce on Being 'Painfully Normal' Outside of Work — and Entering Her 'Bold' Musical Era (Exclusive) Daniela AvilaFebruary 1, 2026 at 4:30 AM 0 Carly Pearce in Nashville in August 2025 Jason Kempin/Getty Carly Pearce opens up to PEOPLE about entering her bold musical era — and what that looks like "I want to be unapologetic in all things," she says Pearce released her latest single "Church Girl" on Jan. 23 As Carly Pearce enters her new musical era, the country singer has one goal in mind: she wants to be bold.
- - Carly Pearce on Being 'Painfully Normal' Outside of Work — and Entering Her 'Bold' Musical Era (Exclusive)
Daniela AvilaFebruary 1, 2026 at 4:30 AM
0
Carly Pearce in Nashville in August 2025
Jason Kempin/Getty
Carly Pearce opens up to PEOPLE about entering her bold musical era — and what that looks like
"I want to be unapologetic in all things," she says
Pearce released her latest single "Church Girl" on Jan. 23
As Carly Pearce enters her new musical era, the country singer has one goal in mind: she wants to be bold.
Speaking with PEOPLE about her latest single "Church Girl," which will be featured on her upcoming fifth studio album, Pearce says it's indicative of the many ways in which she challenged herself when she was writing the record.
"I keep saying to everyone, be bold. I want to be bold, and I want to be unapologetic in all things," Pearce, 35, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
"It looks like leading a new music cycle with two songs that you don't really hear people talk about. You don't hear people talk about church shame... Especially in country music, being a Christian," she continues. "And you don't hear people talk about the not so pretty parts of being in the spotlight. I don't even want to call it fame, just living in front of people."
On "Church Girl," Pearce contemplates her relationship with religion — and questions its "double standards." Meanwhile, on "Dream Come True," which she released in November, Pearce contemplates the price of fame.
When she sat down to write these songs, she challenged herself to share a different point of view.
"[I wrote 'Dream Come True'] out of necessity, I think I had to write that song. And what that song did... It made me realize that I needed to return back to the original dream," she says. "What was the dream that I had as a little girl? I moved here 17 years ago this year. Why?"
In the process, Pearce found her spark again and was able to focus on what really mattered: the music.
"I do believe it's my purpose in life to be a singer. I know that this is, not to sound corny, but it's my destiny," she says.
"But I will tell you, yes, of course there are moments where I'm like, I can't take it anymore, it's so hard," she adds. "It's hard sometimes, and it's hard to have your life on display, and have people write about it. They get some of it right and some of it wrong... People are just mean."
She concludes, "So, I've really focused on trying to untwist some of that for myself and go back to the music. I've made my best music and my favorite music I've ever made."
Carly Pearce in Nashville in April 2024
Jason Kempin/Getty
Now, Pearce finds joy in her life outside of work too — and she says it's "painfully normal."
"I go to a workout class with the girls in the cul-de-sac from 'Dream Come True,' we go to workout classes together. I love to grocery shop. I love my dogs. I am so normal, and I love it. I live a very simple life," she says. "I sometimes forget, people come up to me and be like, 'I love your music,' and I'm like, 'Oh, thank you.' I don't live for the show."
She continues, "I've really worked hard on my mental health last year. It got not great... I don't think you write a song like 'Dream Come True' if you're mentally totally cool. But what that did is it gave me an opportunity to grow. And so, the vision board this year, it's much less angst and more just... I have true goals, and I have intention, and I feel very full in my life right now."
on People
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: January 31, 2026 at 06:36PM on Source: PRIME TIME
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle