Carpe Diem
French electro-pop artist Cannelle fills Mekala Rajagopal in on everything, from growing up an Ariana Grande stand to finding a sound of her own.
Published in Takeaway Spring/Summer 2026. Get your copy here.
Interview by MEKALA RAJAGOPAL
Photos by MAYA SPANGLER
Mekala Rajagopal: What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Cannelle Ferragu: I hate this, but probably check my phone.
Mekala: Which app?
Cannelle: My messages because I always have to answer a billion texts. Then Instagram, or Tumblr.
Mekala: Did you grow up on Tumblr?
Cannelle: 100 percent. We heart it.
Mekala: What was your feed like?
Cannelle: I used to really love Ariana Grande and her aesthetic, so everything was pastel-coded. She was wearing all these cutesy Chanel clothes. I wanted to be like her when I grew up.
Mekala: What were some of your earliest obsessions?
Cannelle: MovieStarPlanet, and listening to music on YouTube. I loved The Sims too; I had all the hacks, but I got a new computer so I don’t have them anymore. I love games where you can dress up your characters.
Mekala: What do you think about when you’re getting dressed?
Cannelle: How hot I can be, but also how comfortable. I get so overwhelmed if I’m wearing accessories and there’s trinkets in my wig.
Mekala: What makes you feel hot?
Cannelle: Wearing my contacts. I put them on, and I’m like, Yeah, I’m her. I also love a good lingerie moment, or some cute kitten heels. And when I’m producing music.
Mekala: You’re like, “I’m cooking right now.”
Cannelle: It’s such a good feeling.
Mekala: You’re working on a mixtape, right?
Cannelle: Yeah, for the past two years. I picked all the gems I never released with some new things. I only have one song in French out now, but there are a lot on this project, so I’m excited. I’m doing music videos for the singles right now.
Mekala: The visual world you’re building is so cute and clubby. How would you describe it?
Cannelle: I guess I’m trying to make a fantasy world that feels like the music. Dreamy, heavenly stuff, like flashy, pastel neons: the quote-unquote bigger and better, or dream version of myself.
Mekala: What was it like growing up in Marseille?
Cannelle: It really helped me figure out my art, being in such a beautiful place. I was on social media a lot, and that was my safe space. I’d go into the fields and take pictures all day. It’s how I made friends and learned how to speak English.
Mekala: Did you always want to be famous?
Cannelle: Honestly, I did. I was vlogging even before that was a thing, taking pictures and videos all the time and trying to put on shows for my parents.
Mekala: Do you remember the first concert that moved you?
Cannelle: It was Ariana Grande’s “Honeymoon” tour. May 15, 2015. I had the cat ears and cried and everything. It was the best day of my entire life. I’m such an Arianator.
Mekala: How does it feel to be 22 in 2026?
Cannelle: It’s funny, because I have a song called “22.” This year, I’ve discovered parts of myself that I completely ignored before. There was a time where I felt super alone, doing all this stuff with music, so I’ve been trying to keep close to my besties from back home. I’m trying to be my own best friend and be there for the people I love.
Mekala: Who are you when no one’s watching?
Cannelle: When I’m with other people, especially in the U.S., I’m my character. I speak English. When no one’s watching, I’m French as fuck. On the bad side, I’m overthinking a lot. But also, I’m just always on my computer, watching T.V., in bed. I’m tired.
Mekala: If you had to pick a dream collab, who?
Cannelle: Obviously Ariana! Or Daft Punk or Justice. Those are my heroes.
Mekala: What’s inspiring you right now? What have you been listening to?
Cannelle: Xaviersobased. Mika. Do you know Mika? He’s a British-Lebanese artist who sings in French. He’s fire, the O.G. He even kind of reminds me of Babymorocco with these clubby French songs that are just a vibe. Also, Ninajirachi; we just did a show together. Then there’s also Chxrry, Nadia Oh, M.I.A. And recently, I discovered this artist called Balo, who just dropped a project called Rubikon that I really fuck with.
Mekala: Are you watching anything?
Cannelle: I’m a simple girl. I love Sofia Coppola, like The Bling Ring and Marie Antoinette. But I also love that director that made Climax, Gaspar Noé. It’s such a weird movie. And I think people will hate me for this, but also Ariel Schulman’s Nerve.
Mekala: Why do you think people will hate you?
Cannelle: Because, like, the acting was kind of bad, but I’m sorry, the world of the movie is so fucking good. I love it. It’s my comfort watch.
Mekala: How does it feel to be a music artist in the TikTok era? What do you love and hate about the industry right now?
Cannelle: I used to love TikTok, but I’ve tried to detach from it a bit. I want to make music for music lovers, not just to go viral. I love posting my videos and outfits, but if I’m on my phone too much, I start to lose my sense of self. I’m not trying to chase the charts or have to post five times a day, like yes, I’m trying to make something out of my life, but I’m just a regular girl.