Artist Glimpse: Carina Bianchini
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For Toronto-area singer-songwriter Carina Bianchini, building a pop career is about bold vision and total creative control. From early days in dance and a JUNO nomination with Girl Pow-R, to graduating from TMU’s first Professional Music cohort, Carina has steadily carved out her own lane. With a Hollywood Independent Music Award nomination, a Mississauga Music Award nomination, and her debut solo album Pink Noise, she merges high-energy choreography with an iconic, drag-inspired pink aesthetic designed to celebrate radical self-expression. We spoke with Carina about her roots, her music, and defining modern pop on her own terms.
Rob Aguiar: Growing up performing across the GTA before taking major Toronto stages like TD Music Hall and REBEL, how did your local upbringing shape your drive as an artist?
Carina Bianchini: Growing up, I learned a lot about what it means to engage a crowd and how important stage presence is. I learned a lot of this through competitive dance and through Girl Pow-R, and I was able to meet many amazing people along the way. I played on multiple different stages and at countless festivals with the groups, too many to count. I was also in an arts program in high school where I played different roles in various musical productions and was a member of a few different choir ensembles. This taught me a lot about performing in different settings and working with different people.This also taught me a lot about different genres of music!
RA: Your single "Hide It" dives into a moodier, more vulnerable space about suppressing real feelings. What was the emotional message behind that track, and how did it come together in the studio?
CB: “Hide It” is one of my favourite songs I’ve written. It’s honestly just about dating in modern times, as a lot of people are scared to admit their feelings because they’ve been hurt badly in the past, or just don’t want to commit to someone. People are often scared to show or communicate how they really feel, a lot of the time because of their fear of rejection. I think it’s important to be truthful about how we feel and wear our heart on our sleeves. I personally would always rather be honest instead of wonder what could have been. This song was created with Toronto-based producer Chris Mifsud who always understands my vision for a song right away! For this song we decided to go for a darker pop sound in comparison to a lot of my other tracks.
RA: Visually, your brand is unapologetically bold, pink, and deeply influenced by drag artistry. How does that theatrical aesthetic help you create an inclusive, safe space for your listeners to feel confident in their own skin?
CB: I’ve always loved colour, and I was taught from a young age that it is important to stand out in a crowd. I’ve been in dance lessons since I was 2 years old, so I was always dressed up in fluffy dresses and costumes. I want people to know that we don’t all have to look or dress the same, as what makes us all beautiful is how unique everyone is. Being as pink as I am, it lets people know that we can do whatever we want with our canvas, and expressing ourselves doesn’t just have to be through words or lyrics, but through visuals as well. I also tie a lot of my visuals into things that made me happy growing up like Barbie, Hello Kitty, and other animated characters, because I believe that as we grow older we shouldn’t have to lose that playfulness and joy that comes from those little things. I like being able to provide some of that nostalgia for people. I also was sick for a little while as a kid, as I was dealing with some health issues, so I feel as though I am now revisiting things that brought me happiness in times of need.
RA: From early recognition with Girl Pow-R to earning local and international award nominations, how do you stay grounded while pushing your limits as an independent act?
CB: I stay grounded as I always remind myself of why I am doing this in the first place. I want to inspire others and make a difference. When I think of legends like Michael Jackson, not only was the music high quality, but so was his message. He did a lot of work for social causes. As I mentioned, I’ve experienced a decent amount of health issues growing up, but have always prevailed. I want to show others that with courage and dedication, as well as surrounding ourselves with the right people, we can achieve our goals. Anything is possible as long as we’re always being ourselves, and trying our absolute best!
RA: Heavy choreography is central to your stage show. How do you balance rigorous physical dancing with live vocal control?
CB: Honestly I don’t practise as much as I should because it is challenging at times to balance everything as an independent artist, but practise is key. Practise makes perfect and builds stamina! I also try my absolute best to ensure I am eating and hydrating properly before a show!
RA: As you look ahead to the next chapter of your career, what are three personal or professional goals you are determined to hit next?
CB: I would love to go on an international tour in the next couple years, I would also like to release my second album and have it perform well on streaming platforms and radio, and I would love a JUNO nomination as a solo artist in the next couple of years as well!
Carina’s growth proves that sharp vision and dedicated work yield results. By turning personal storytelling into dance anthems wrapped in pink, she is establishing a distinct space in Canadian pop music.
Follow Carina on Instagram and stream her latest releases on all major platforms.
