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In conversation with Billboard and Honda Stage, Mariah The Scientist explores authenticity, artistry and connection — reflecting on her creative journey, the vulnerability behind her songwriting and the deep, honest relationship she shares with her fans.
Mariah The Scientist: Mariah The Scientist is just a scientist, you know? Mariah The Scientist was a scientist, at least, and one day she just decided she wanted to explore a different science.
I think songwriting is really, really important. I think that the way I look at it is that it’s something that you make from scratch. “Rainy Days” is more the kind of song where I’m, like, super vulnerable and discussing, constantly fighting to prove a point. Vulnerability is very expensive.
Honestly, to make a good song, you wind up exploiting your trauma, but it becomes rewarding at the end, once you do 1,000 shows, and you go and you see people crying and singing it because it makes you feel like you did something that people can connect to, and they feel seen and now, and them feeling seen now, you feel seen. When my fans tell me that they feel like I’ve written something about them, or I look at them more like my friends than a fan.
The very first show, I was like, “Oh my gosh, people are coming to see me, they’re singing.” I was so nervous, but I felt like I didn’t have to be nervous by the end because they were singing the words for me. Honestly, sometimes I get emotional when I hear them singing certain songs or, like, and I’ll just cry on the stage. I’ll be trying not to do that, though.
When Honda Stage gave me a call and said, “Hey, would you like to collaborate on this Rising Star opportunity with Billboard?” I said, “Wow, I’m not under a rock anymore, and maybe all the work, tireless nights and tireless days are getting me somewhere.” I’m just so flattered, and I am hoping that I can live up to my new title, Rising Star.
