Dove Cameron’s Alchemy

Dove Cameron's Alchemy

Unveiling the Alchemical Transformation of Dove Cameron

I had one burning question saved for my interview with Dove Cameron, but she beat me to it just minutes into our Zoom call. As we bonded over our equally messy rooms (she’s in the midst of a massive cleaning spree, while I… well, let’s just say I prefer to live like this), she couldn’t help but ask for my star sign. When I revealed I’m a Taurus, her squeals of delight echoed through the screen. You see, Dove, a Capricorn, believed that our shared earth sign meant we were fated to be best friends. Apparently, being a sensitive perfectionist and chronic overachiever comes with the territory of being an earth sign. And let’s be real, reaching mainstream success by your fourteenth birthday requires some serious earth sign energy.

But let me tell you, Dove instantly put me at ease. Zooming in from her Los Angeles home, she wore a simple black crewneck sweatshirt and cat-eye glasses. Her face seemed untouched by makeup, her dark hair slicked back into a bun. Her voice had a musical quality, reminiscent of a Disney princess. And just like her star sign, she was refreshingly open about the darker moments of her life.

Recently, Dove has been busy getting her house in order ahead of her album release later this fall. She already had a catchy instant hit with Marshmello’s “Other Boys,” which came out earlier this month.

What strikes me about Dove is her ability to switch between two distinct modes. On one hand, she’s a workaholic, only getting four hours of sleep a night and drinking enough coffee to put a whole village to shame. This has been her life for most of her adult years, juggling multiple projects simultaneously. According to her, unless everything is going perfectly and nothing slips through the cracks, she doesn’t feel like she’s doing enough. Blaming her Capricorn nature, she admits, “That’s just not how I want to live. That’s not going to be sustainable.”

And then there are times when she decides to hibernate from Hollywood, taking a break from the hustle and bustle. She recently felt an intuitive calling to step away, reconnect with friends she hadn’t seen in years, and finally settle down in a real home. After four years of living transiently, she decided enough was enough.

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During this break from the public eye, she stripped away all the “extracurricular” activities from her life—the social media posts, the red carpet appearances, and the non-music-related projects. This allowed her to fully focus on her debut album like never before. As the creative director of the project, she wanted every decision to be a reflection of her true self. This meant stepping back into who she was before her professional career took off, making every choice from that point of view.

This summer, Dove used her downtime to reconnect with her pre-fame self. She gave in to her sad-girl tendencies, spending time laying down and crying or writing poetry. It was a time for self-reflection and processing past traumas. She listened to her body, rested when needed, and nourished her soul by spending time with friends. As she puts it, the wisdom of the body and the instincts to find balance are truly remarkable. We’re all on a journey of self-discovery, constantly evolving until our last breath.

Early on in our conversation, Dove jokes that she can’t go through a single interview without mentioning her unprocessed trauma and loss. It’s said with a laugh, but the unraveling of trauma is a recurring theme in our chat.

Dove has often been hailed as “resilient” throughout her life, but she confesses that the term never quite sat well with her. The label started feeling disempowering over time, almost a way to minimize the struggles she faced. To her, it seemed like a way to say, “So many terrible things have happened to you, but look at what you’ve done with it!” It came with an overwhelming pressure to always be okay, to constantly prove her ability to survive. She grew tired of the sympathetic look people would give her when they called her resilient.

One could easily assume that Dove is superhuman when looking at her photos, seemingly unaffected by any hardships. Little do we know that she carried an unexpected health scare with her to her HotSamples cover shoot. But she effortlessly posed in sky-high heels, did backbends in Dion Lee outfits, and even managed to wear pounds of safety clips in her hair without missing a beat. For Dove, it’s not about bouncing back from trauma but rather letting it transform her. Instead of labeling herself as resilient, she chooses the word “alchemical.”

To Dove, alchemy represents a process of transformation. It’s not about returning to a pre-trauma state; it’s about embracing the changes that occurred and allowing them to shape her. She envisions every bad experience as a talisman in her house, not something to be shoved away and ignored, but something to be consumed and incorporated into her growth. In her own enchanting way, she effortlessly turns those experiences into something beautiful.

This summer, Dove underwent yet another transformation. She traded her signature bright blonde hair for a dark brunette hue, then experimented with inky black and “cherry cola” red. Tattoos started appearing all over her body, and her fashion choices shifted from hot-pink crop tops to leather harnesses and Iris van Herpen gowns. Critics accused her of trying too hard to be “goth,” while fans debated if she had changed too much. But for Dove, these transformations are simply part of her ongoing evolution. She remarks, “If I asked you for your middle school or high school photos, would you say that’s who you are forever? The end? We all change and grow. It’s just not that serious.”

Dove’s evolving style is a reflection of her true self. She enjoys playing with different aesthetics and fashion choices, sometimes embracing a more feminine look and other times opting for a gender-fluid and shapeless style. She’s not afraid to break the mold and challenge societal expectations. While admitting to her fashion obsession, she acknowledges that the constant scrutiny online can be tiresome. She emphasizes that her style choices are simply a way of reclaiming herself and exploring new facets of her identity. She considers fashion as another form of personal alchemy, using it as a tool for healing and self-expression.

As we delve deeper into our conversation, Dove reveals her plans to release her debut album, marking an exciting new chapter in her musical journey. Music has always been an integral part of her life, but she admits that her true sound didn’t fully materialize until she released the smash hit “Boyfriend.” Her upcoming album, “Alchemical,” builds upon this darker and more experimental sound, showcasing her growth as an artist. The songs range from ironic takedowns of L.A. party culture to soul-stirring ballads about trauma and unattainable relationships.

But Dove’s transformation isn’t limited to her music. She continues to evolve as a person, navigating the challenges of fame and finding her place as a pop star. While she acknowledges the mind-boggling aspects of fame, she remains grounded by staying true to herself. Coming out as queer publicly was a significant moment for her, allowing her to embrace her true identity and release her biggest hit to date, “Boyfriend.” This marked a pivotal moment in her career, propelling her to number one on Billboard’s Emerging Artists charts and earning her the coveted title of Best New Artist at the MTV VMAs.

Dove’s journey has certainly been eventful, marked by her shifts in appearance and the openness she exhibits regarding her mental health struggles. She’s learned to accept her past and the challenges she’s faced, understanding their role in shaping her. Therapy has played a crucial part in her life since the age of eight, and she advocates for its accessibility to all. Although therapy doesn’t provide all the answers, Dove emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself, maintaining connections with loved ones, and giving oneself the space to simply breathe. And in her darkest moments, she sits in silence, allowing thoughts to rise from the depths of her consciousness—a practice she doesn’t recommend unless accompanied by extensive therapy.

Ultimately, Dove embraces the concept of alchemy as her guiding light. She refuses to reject the struggles she’s endured, recognizing that they are now an integral part of her journey. She moves forward, embracing life with expanded horizons. She dismisses the pressure of perfection and acknowledges that nobody can do everything perfectly.

Dove Cameron is an artist in constant evolution. She refuses to be confined by labels or expectations, allowing her music and personal style to continuously transform. With her debut album as the catalyst, she embarks on an exciting new chapter in her career. While the debut marks a significant milestone, she’s fully aware that her trajectory may lead her to unexpected places. As she eloquently puts it, “I’ve seen some of my all-time favorite artists start out very different here than where they are now.” And like all of her fans, I eagerly await the unveiling of the next chapter in Dove Cameron’s remarkable journey.

Talent: Dove Cameron
Photographer: Leeor Wild
Beauty Direction: Hallie Gould
Creative Direction: Jenna Brillhart
Makeup Artist: Kale Teter
Hairstylist: Jacob Rozenberg / The Wall Group
Manicurist: Ashlie Johnson
Stylists: Chloe & Chenelle Delgadillo
DP: Brandon Scott Smith
Set Designer: Amy Jo Diaz
Assistant Camera: Derek Smith
Photo Director: Kelly Chiello
Video Director: Justine Manocherian
Production Assistant: Amanda Lauro
Booking: Talent Connect Group

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