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Dove Cameron is entering a new era of self love and creative exploration.
In a new interview with People, the 29-year-old singer and actress explained why her newer music will have a different sound than the softer tone fans may be used to because she's moving past fears about her "real" singing voice. Despite finding success with songs like "Boyfriend" from her 2023 debut album Alchemical: Volume 1 and starring in theatrical projects like Schmigadoon! and the off-Broadway Clueless musical, the Descendants alum took to heart past harsh critiques and let it influence how she used her "instrument."
"I always felt like my voice was this instrument to be manipulated or changed, or something to fit what people needed of me," she said. "And I actually secretly harbored this belief that my full, real, true voice was ugly."
Cameron worked through those fears with the help of those closest to her, including a tough-love push from best friend and La Brea actress Veronica St. Clair as well as boyfriend Damiano David of Måneskin.
"She's always like, 'You are so stupid and an idiot, and I'm going to full throttle you if you don't at least try to sing on one of your records,'" she explained. "And my boyfriend, same thing. He's very like, 'Why aren't you singing on these tracks? Why are you whispering?'"
The encouragement led her to explore a new fuller sound when she got back into the studio, noticeable in new songs like "Too Much" from her upcoming album.
"I was just having the time of my life in the studio," she said. "I broke through my complex about my voice, and it delivered me a new sound that I feel really at home and comfortable with."