Sway Bhatia, who portrays Vera in Zombies 4, recently disclosed on Joely Live’s PUCKERUP podcast some interesting insights about her co-star, Freya Skye. Bhatia shared, “Freya just sings twenty-four seven, she doesn’t yap, she just sings.”
Freya Skye, a 15-year-old singer from the UK, is known for her distinctive style and voice, often compared to a blend of Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo. Freya is more than content with this comparison, as she says she really looks up to Olivia Rodrigo because of her “ability to create upbeat rock-pop music while using really clever and deep lyrics.” Freya continues, “She blends energy and emotion so well, which is something I really admire in songwriting.”
Freya gained recognition for her role in the upcoming Zombies 4 sequel and for her viral cover of Selena Gomez’s “Who Says,” which took off on TikTok in April, 2024. Since her TikTok success, Freya has moved beyond covers and elevated her career by releasing multiple, original singles. One of her first singles, “Winter Dream,” was released on December 11th, 2024, followed by “Walk Over,” “Someone to Love,” and now “Can’t Fake It,” a single Freya has worked on since August 12, 2024.
“Can’t Fake It” marks a departure from Freya’s previous work, showcasing her authentic sound and feeling less like a promotional tie-in for Zombies 4. Freya explains that one of the many differences between the two singles is the level of Maturity. She describes “Can’t Fake It” as a “fun opportunity to explore a new sound.” She says “ It feels like a more mature release compared to my earlier singles, like Walk Over and Winter Dream.”
The melody in Can’t Fake It has a very powerful mixture of pop and endorphins; with lyrics that capture the emotions of a typical messy breakup—a theme teens can relate to. The song reflects the struggle of holding onto someone you know isn’t right for you but can’t seem to let go of, a sentiment that resonates with the hopeless romantics of her generation.
What does can’t fake it mean to you?
Can’t Fake It is such a special song to me. I still remember how excited I was after writing it, which is always a good sign. It just feels so fun, so electric, and it makes me want to dance every time I hear it. Honestly, it’s the first song of mine that’s ever made me feel that way. I knew this was the song I wanted to lead with coming into 2025, and I’m so grateful I did. It’s so precious to me, and I’m extremely excited that it’s finally out in the world.
What sparked the idea to produce can’t fake it?
Most of the time, every session starts with a conversation. I’ll talk about what’s going on in my life, and usually, just speaking about it sparks something to write about. There was a situation I kept bringing up, one that frustrated me sooo much, and that frustration ended up shaping what later became “Can’t Fake It”. I think the song really carries that energy—there’s a raw frustration and anger to it that mirrors exactly how I was feeling that day.
What artists do you look up to?
An artist I really look up to right now is Gracie Abrams. I love her relatable lyrics and raw vulnerability—she’s soooo talented, and I really admire and take inspiration from her writing style. I also really look up to Olivia Rodrigo because of her ability to create upbeat rock-pop music while using really clever and deep lyrics. She blends energy and emotion so well, which is something I really admire in songwriting.
How did you create and form your sound for this single?
Honestly, with Can’t Fake It, we were just experimenting in the studio, playing around with tons of different sounds and drums until something clicked. The moment we landed on that drum loop at the very beginning of the song, everything else just fell into place—it all came super naturally from there.
How is this single different from the others?
One of the things I love most about music is how experimental it can be, and Can’t Fake It was such a fun opportunity to explore a new sound. It feels like a more mature release compared to my earlier singles, like Walk Over and Winter Dream. I hope that with every song, my sound continues to evolve and grow as I do—both as a songwriter and as an artist.
How long have you worked on can’t fake it?
I wrote Can’t Fake It on August 12, 2024. Honestly, from the day you write a song to the day it’s released, it’s always being worked on in some way—whether it’s the music video, behind-the-scenes images, or the song itself. There’s always something being tweaked right up until the very last minute.
What was the visual goal for the music video?
When my director, Boni, pitched the idea of a retro office music video, I was immediately sold. It instantly excited me, and from that moment, Boni and I started brainstorming everything—color schemes, outfits, locations. We wanted it to feel like a chaotic, fun escape; something you could watch ten times and still notice something new with each rewatch.
