Stage Girl is the debut studio album by American singer Eli. It was released on October 31, 2025, under Zelig Music and RCA Records. Incorporating elements of pop and R&B, Stage Girl explores themes of love, gender, self-acceptance, and belonging. The album received a placement on Vogues Best 45 Albums of 2025 list and a nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards.
Music and theme Stage Girl combines pop and R&B elements, exploring themes of love, gender, self-acceptance, and belonging.
Release and promotion
After achieving moderate viral success on TikTok before its release, Stage Girls lead single "Marianne" was released on May 30, 2025. The following month, Eli released "Girl of Your Dreams" as part of a self-dubbed "tringle" that also included "Fortunately 4 U" and "God Bless the BFA". The third single "Like a Girl" was released in August, with fourth and final single "All at Once" arriving in September 26. Following the release of Stage Girl in October, Eli began teasing the release of "Glitter". It was released on December 5, promoted by a fan event in New York City. At the end of her tour, titled Eli Is The Next Stage Girl Tour, in March 2026, she released the single "Feel Your Rain".
In an interview with Vogue, Eli announced a deluxe edition of Stage Girl, subtitled Not a Dream Anymore. Including six new songs, it was released on May 22, 2026. On April 30, Swedish singer Zara Larsson released a remix of her single "Crush" featuring Eli, as a part of her Midnight Sun: Girls Trip deluxe remix album. This track was later added on to the deluxe edition of Stage Girl, serving as the third track.
Live performances Eli announced the Eli Is The Next Stage Girl Tour on January 16, 2026. The tour spanned ten dates across the United States and Canada during March 2026, and openers were selected through the "Are You The Next Stage Girl?" social media competition. In February, Eli opened for Sam Smith at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco and performed a 3-night concert residency called "Eli: The One Woman Show" at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Los Angeles.
On July 21, Eli announced a tour for the deluxe album titled "Strange Girl: Live on Stage".
Critical reception Jacob Gardner for The Washington Post stated: "At the end of Stage Girl, Eli's persona is more than a character; it is a philosophy. Pop music can be transformative. Identity can be playful without being shallow. Spectacle can be profound. And when the final note hits, you step out of the dressing room a little braver, a little more unashamed, a little more yourself." Stage Girl (Not a Dream Anymore) received a score of 7.2 on Pitchfork.
Stage Girl was placed on Vogues 45 Best Albums of 2025, and received a nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist at the 37th GLAAD Media Awards.
Track listing
References