VALERIE ADJUSTED HER MIC, shifting in her seat as the applause rang through the studio. she was still getting used to this part again-bright lights, cameras in her face, people hanging onto her every word. it was exciting, sure, but exhausting in a way only performers truly understood.
"valerie wilson, everybody!" jimmy fallon grinned as the cheers finally settled. "welcome back. it's been too long."
"thanks for having me," valerie said, offering a small smile. "it's weird being back, but, like... in a good way."
jimmy nodded. "we missed you! and now you're back with this insane album. AFTERCARE. first of all, the name alone-brilliant. second, the album itself? unreal. people are calling it your best work yet."
valerie huffed out a laugh. "they better be. i nearly lost my mind making it."
the audience laughed, and jimmy leaned in. "okay, talk to me about it. what was the process like? what was inspiring you?"
valerie took a breath, running a hand through her hair. "man... aftercare was rough. i mean, making it was rough. emotionally, mentally. i started writing it at one of my lowest points, and i think you can hear that in some of the songs. i was dealing with a lot-depression, body image stuff, just... feeling completely disconnected from myself. but at the same time, i didn't want it to be just about the hard stuff, you know? i wanted it to be fun, too. about all the things we don't appreciate much when we're feeling sad and depressed."
jimmy nodded. "that balance is what makes it so powerful. one minute you're breaking our hearts, the next you have us screaming in our cars like we're at the club."
valerie snorted. "that's the goal."
"did you always know this was the album you were going to make?"
she shook her head. "not at all. i was actually trying to make something completely different at first-lighter, fun. but nothing felt right. every song i wrote just felt fake, like i was forcing myself to be someone i wasn't. eventually, i just gave up and let myself be honest, and that's when the album really started to take shape."
jimmy smiled. "well, honesty paid off, because this thing is a masterpiece. and speaking of masterpieces..." he wiggled his eyebrows, clearly about to stir up chaos. "can we talk about someone who you seem to think is a masterpiece?"
valerie froze for a second before bursting into laughter. "oh my god, here we go."
the audience started to buzz, already sensing where this was going.
jimmy grinned. "valerie. you've been... let's say, not so subtle about your feelings toward a certain someone. a certain grammy-winning, oscar-winning, multi-talented, drop-dead gorgeous artist-"
valerie groaned, dropping her head into her hands as the audience cheered. "jimmy, please."
"i'm talking, of course, about billie eilish."
the crowd erupted, and valerie just sat there, shaking her head, trying not to smile.
"so," jimmy continued, enjoying this way too much, "you're a fan?"
valerie scoffed. "a fan? jimmy, i'm in love with that woman. like, she could do whatever she wanted to me, and i would be so thankful."
the audience screamed. jimmy leaned forward, eyes wide. "like what?"
valerie leaned back, crossing her arms with a smirk. "i have nothing appropriate to say right now."
the audience lost it. jimmy threw his hands up, laughing so hard he had to turn away from the camera.
valerie just grinned. "listen, you brought it up."
"i had to," jimmy said between laughs. "you talk about her like she's god's greatest creation."
valerie shrugged. "because she is."
more cheers. someone in the audience yelled something, and valerie pointed in their direction. "exactly!"
jimmy finally composed himself. "okay, but seriously. have you two talked? met? anything?"
valerie sighed dramatically. "no. and it's so upsetting. like, what do i have to do? drop to my knees and beg?"
jimmy covered his face with his hands as the crowd lost their minds again.
"jesus, valerie," he muttered, shaking his head.
valerie cackled. "i'm just being honest!"
jimmy wiped his eyes. "okay, okay, let's try to bring it back. because despite your obsession-"
"devotion," valerie corrected.
"-devotion," jimmy said, rolling his eyes, "you have an album to talk about."
valerie sighed. "yeah, yeah, okay. fine."
"AFTERCARE. a stunning, vulnerable, deeply personal album-"
"that billie eilish should stream," valerie added.
jimmy groaned, laughing. "i give up."
the audience cheered again, and valerie just smiled, feeling lighter than she had in days.
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