Joyce Cissé, known professionally as flowerovlove, recently released her debut album MINI SKIRT WARRIOR. At just 21 years old, the British singer, songwriter, producer and model has proven to be one of the most exciting new voices in pop music. Self-proclaimed “thought daughter,” Cissé’s natural charisma and quirk are catapulting her into mainstream light, garnering over 156 million global streams to date.
There’s a reason she has caught the attention of some of the most recognizable names in music; among her famous fans are Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, ROSALÍA, Halsey and Elton John — all icons in their own right.
Earlier this month, Crave Music Magazine had the opportunity to step into the world of flowerovlove and hear more about her latest release in °1824’s press conference. She fielded a multitude of questions about her approach to the album itself, growing up, girlhood, what it means to be a pop star, why representation matters and more. Hearing from the mind behind the music offered critical insight into understanding how the pop soundscape is evolving.
For an artist just releasing her debut album, Cissé carries herself with the cool confidence, class and composure of a seasoned industry veteran. Deeply self-aware and introspective, Cissé knows exactly who she is and who she wants to be. The creation of this album — which explores the vulnerable and transformative journey from girlhood to womanhood — was guided by Cissé’s mindset of choosing her emotions rather than letting her environment, the people around her, and what she was consuming affect her.
Something Cissé fully leaned into with this project is being more vulnerable; she cited her commitment to practicing gratitude and intentionality as one of the key pieces that allowed her to show up in this way. Her previous works often shied away from blatant vulnerability, but in this record, she revels in it, marking an exciting new chapter for her artistic development.
During the confusing, often disorienting process of growing up, one thing Cissé refuses to leave behind is her inner child.
“Keeping [that] with you is the only thing that can truly make you happy,” she said. “Nothing is that serious. […] This is all gonna end at some point, and no one really knows when, so why would you spend any second not playing in grass, not touching glitter, not drawing, not coloring.”
Embracing this sense of childlike wonder is where the magic really starts to happen for flowerovlove. Her music not only allows her inner child to come out and play, but it also acts as a portal in which her listeners can step into as a way to get in touch with their own inner child.
This playfulness shines during her engaging live performances. At her Lollapalooza set in 2025, she emerged from a gigantic purse and wore a buttercup-yellow dress made entirely of puzzle pieces with her own face as the centerpiece. She sported high socks and chunky platform Mary Janes, both of which have become identifying features of her brand.
“There’s really no age limit on anything. That’s the great thing about being an artist […] I get to play dress up with flowerovlove all the time, and it’s so fun,”
She cited her Coachella performance earlier this year as the one where she really saw her vision come to life. “It felt like a really cool sticker book or […] putting a puzzle together. [I]t was just absolutely perfect,” she said.
By creating the different alter egos (“flowerovlove” and “Mini Skirt Warrior”), Cissé explained how both personas are different parts and extensions of herself, and they show up in different ways throughout the album. She cited the desire for balance as a major driving factor present in this album.
“Believing that I am this thing that had become my brand isn’t healthy for me,” she said. By creating distance between herself as Joyce, flowerovlove and Mini Skirt Warrior as they appear on stage, Cissé has created space for growth as not just an artist, but a person: “Separating myself from my artist name and myself as a human, that’s what helps me escape that mentality.”
By managing her sense of self in her many creative roles through her “Mini Skirt Warrior” alter ego and “flowerovlove” stage name, she has made the space for herself to fully embrace being whoever she wants to be, without losing herself in the process.
Cissé has taken it upon herself to be the representation she wants to see in pop music, using her platform to tell young black girls that, “Yes, you can.”
“If no one has done it before you, and you have this inkling, you have to do it. That’s why I do the things that I do,” she said. She is a trailblazer, challenging the hegemonic norms of who we think of when we hear the words “pop star” by being unapologetically herself and sharing her art with the world.
“I’ve always dreamed of being in the public eye,” Cissé confessed.
She is a girl destined to be in the spotlight. Being a model allowed her to understand the importance of visibility, but creative control is something she felt like she was missing. Turning to music has allowed her to explore and for her creativity to truly run wild. With such a clear artistic vision and ambition, she has the qualities of a star in the making. Part of that comes from her “fake it till you make it” outlook that modeling instilled within her. She knows not to take herself too seriously, especially in such a competitive industry as music. She plays into her strengths as an artist, person and musician; it is clear that this album is one she enjoyed and had fun creating.
“The main thing I advocate for is that black artists do make pop music because we get boxed into a genre just because of how we look, and only black people really do understand that to a core.”
She understands how important it is for Black artists to have a platform and to be on stage — not just for themselves, but for the younger generations who deserve to see someone that looks like them. “There [are] so many different types of Black people, and people need to know that because a lot of people don’t know that. It’s very important to put yourself forward. Put us on stage! You know? Show off how we can be, how alternative we can be, how quirky we can be, how awkward we can be, how amazing we can be.” It’s about time we’ve had another Black pop star.
Self-assured, charming, witty, confident yet grounded, soft yet strong, flowerovlove’s journey to becoming the next pop girly is just beginning to blossom. MINI SKIRT WARRIOR is a promising debut that proves that she certainly has what it takes. She is currently on tour with Niall Horan, supporting him across Europe and the U.K. for his Dinner Party Live on Tour.
In February, flowerovlove will embark on her headlining tour across Europe and the U.K. in support of the album. There is no doubt that she will continue to grow into herself and continue to refine her craft to become the star (or flower) she’s always dreamed of being!
Keep up with flowerovlove:
Instagram / Spotify / Apple Music / Website / TikTok / YouTube
