Chiara Castelli: Finding Her Own Voice Beyond the Spotlight

From viral covers and millions of streams to artistic independence, the Swiss singer-songwriter from Lucerne is defining success on her own terms. In an honest conversation, she reflects on creative freedom, the challenges of growing up in the public eye, and the importance of staying true to herself.

Chiara Castelli has known the stage and the spotlight since her teenage years. Today, the 27-year-old singer-songwriter from Lucerne is forging her own path — independently, confidently, and with a clear artistic vision. Her journey has brought her millions of views, a loyal online community, and recognition within the music industry. Yet behind the numbers lies a more personal story: one of self-discovery, artistic freedom, and learning whom to trust.

Castelli first captured public attention as a teenager through emotional cover versions that reached millions of listeners. Her participation in The Voice Kids further introduced her to a wider audience. In the years that followed, she released original music, signed with a major record label, and continued to build a growing international community.

Today, she has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram and over 1.8 million on TikTok. Three of her songs have surpassed five million streams on Spotify. By conventional measures, her career reflects considerable success. But her story is not simply one of a rapid rise to fame.

It also raises a deeper question: how do you discover who you truly are when the public has already formed an opinion of you? In an industry where talent alone does not always determine success, finding the right direction can be as challenging as finding your voice.

After experiencing the music industry from different perspectives, Castelli has chosen to continue her journey as an independent artist. This decision offers her greater creative control and the freedom to explore her identity without being confined to expectations. At the same time, independence brings uncertainty, responsibility, and the risks of building a career on her own terms.

Her first EP, scheduled for release in autumn, marks another important moment in this ongoing evolution. For Castelli, it is not a definitive statement about who she is, but rather a snapshot of a particular chapter in her life — an artistic era that captures where she stands today.

Perhaps, she suggests, the goal is not to define yourself once and for all, but to give yourself permission to evolve.

Growing Up in the Public Eye

SETTEDONNA: Chiara Castelli, you began performing in public at a very young age and practically grew up in front of an audience. Did you have the opportunity to discover who you were before other people had already formed an image of you?

Chiara Castelli: This is a question I have been asking myself quite often lately: Who am I, really? When it comes to my character and personality, I have a fairly clear understanding of what makes me who I am. It becomes more complicated when it comes to external aspects — my style, which I enjoy experimenting with, or my musical direction.

Sometimes I wonder whether I am simply someone who enjoys change, or whether it has something to do with having been confronted with other people's opinions from such an early age.

When you share your life on social media, it is difficult to develop entirely independently of outside influences. At the same time, change and experimentation are part of my creative personality. I enjoy exploring new things and discovering different sides of myself.

Perhaps I do not need to define myself once and for all. Maybe being an artist means allowing yourself to change, grow, and discover who you are along the way.

An Artist in Her Own Right

For Castelli, artistic independence is about more than a professional decision. It represents the opportunity to explore her musical identity with greater freedom, while accepting the responsibility that comes with making her own choices.

Her journey reflects the reality of a generation of artists navigating an industry shaped by social media, streaming platforms, and constant public visibility.