Nessa Barrett

Barrett was born and raised in Galloway Township, New Jersey, and is of Puerto Rican descent. She moved around South Jersey while growing up, which made it difficult for her to form friendships, and she experienced bullying and a strong dislike of school. Her parents divorced, and she was raised by her mother, Nez Barrett. Her father, Drew Barrett, helped foster her interest in music.

Barrett has said that she began writing songs when she was very young. At four, she recorded her first song with her father in a home studio. She later described music and singing as sources of comfort during a difficult childhood.

Barrett began posting on TikTok in 2019, sharing lip-sync videos, vlogs, and song covers. One April 2020 post using the platform's mirroring effect received more than 10 million views. Her online following helped lead to a recording contract with Warner Records and provided an audience for her transition into music.

She released her piano-based debut single, "Pain," in July 2020, followed by "If U Love Me" and a dark interpretation of "Santa Baby." In February 2021, she released "La Di Die" with Jxdn, a song about the negative sides of fame produced by Travis Barker. Barrett, Jxdn, and Barker performed it on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Her single "I Hope Ur Miserable Until Ur Dead" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 88 in August 2021, becoming her first chart entry. Barrett released her seven-track debut EP, Pretty Poison, on September 10, 2021. The project combined alternative pop and pop-rock and explored the tension between glamorous appearances and painful experiences.

Barrett released her debut studio album, Young Forever, in October 2022. Its singles included "Dying on the Inside," "Die First," "Madhouse," and "Tired of California." The album addressed subjects including grief, mental health struggles, bullying, and the pressures surrounding public visibility.

"Die First" was dedicated to Barrett's friend Cooper Noriega after his death from an accidental drug overdose. She had originally written the song about her mother and later redirected its meaning toward her grief over Noriega. She dedicated another single, "Club Heaven," to him in 2023.

In 2023, Barrett released the singles "Bang Bang!," "American Jesus," and "Lie." They were included on her second EP, Hell Is a Teenage Girl, released on July 14. She also released "Sick of Myself" with Whethan, along with "Club Heaven" and "Girl in New York." Her Young Forever Tour began in February 2023, followed by the Church Club for the Lonely Tour later that year.

Barrett's second studio album, Aftercare, was released in November 2024 after the single "Passenger Princess." The album included "Dirty Little Secret" and "Disco," featuring Tommy Genesis. A deluxe edition with six additional tracks followed in February 2025.

She released the EP Jesus Loves a Primadonna in March 2026. Its associated releases included "High on Heaven" and "Stay with Me." Barrett was also announced as an opening act for The Neighbourhood's tour, a significant association because she has cited the band as an influence on both her sound and visual style. Her third studio album, Tough Love, was announced for release on September 25, 2026.

Barrett's music is commonly characterized as alternative pop, dark pop, pop rock, electropop, and synthpop. She has cited Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, Melanie Martinez, and The Neighbourhood as influences. Her songwriting draws on personal experiences, while her visual approach extends into music videos, graphics, and other aspects of her creative presentation.

Barrett has spoken publicly about depression, borderline personality disorder, suicidal thoughts, and eating disorders. She began therapy at six, described a suicide attempt at 14 that led to psychiatric hospitalization, and said she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder at 18. She has also discussed the role of Christian faith in coping with mental health challenges and Noriega's death.

Barrett has identified as bisexual. She dated Josh Richards beginning in 2019 and later dated Jaden Hossler, also known professionally as Jxdn. She began dating English singer Artemas in 2024.