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Cailin Russo captured widespread attention this year when her 2018 song “Bad Things” was featured in the end credits of Season 1 of the buzzy Crave drama series Heated Rivalry, introducing her to a global television audience. Yet her rise to prominence has been years in the making, marked by a diverse body of work that spans music, visual media and high-profile collaborations.
Now, still scorching from her Heated moment, Russo is releasing a new EP, DON’T, on March 11th alongside a new single today, “I Can’t Help You Now,” which is her first new music release since the runway success of “Bad Things.” She’s also set to tour this upcoming spring for her Bad Things Tour.
“I’ll perform old and new music,” She tells Billboard of the upcoming tour. “I will definitely perform ‘Bad Things.’ I have to give the people what they want!”
Russo initially stepped into the public eye in 2012 with her appearance in Justin Bieber’s “All That Matters” music video, a breakout moment that established her as a compelling on-screen presence. She continued to expand her creative reach with “Phoenix,” the anthemic track created for League of Legends, further solidifying her crossover appeal within both the music and gaming worlds.
Beyond her performances, Russo has earned critical recognition as a songwriter. Her contributions to Kanye West’s DONDA secured her a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2022 Grammys. Together, these milestones reflect an artist whose career has evolved through strategic collaborations, genre-spanning projects, and a steadily growing cultural footprint.
Born and raised in San Diego, Russo grew up immersed in music from an early age, with a father who performed in a pop-punk band and made live instrumentation and creative collaboration part of her everyday life. Surrounded by music at home and influenced by her proximity to Los Angeles’ vibrant music scene, she developed both her artistic instincts and ambitions early on. Rooted firmly in rock, her sound reflects inspiration from No Doubt and The Rolling Stones while maintaining a style that is distinctly her own.
“I get a lot of inspiration from going to concerts,” she says. “I’m keeping my mind more open and receptive to all types of concepts and words that stand out. I’m into pushing the envelope musically.”
Her breakout track “Bad Things,” draws clear inspiration from the Rolling Stones’ “Miss You,” yet it carries a voice and edge entirely her own. Reflecting on the song’s origins eight years ago, Russo recalls writing it in a single day alongside collaborator, Gianluca Buccellati, ultimately landing on the now-beloved refrain, “I want to do bad things with you.”
The creative process was instinctive and unapologetically bold. “It had the sexual nature… hot, leather… saddle up cowboy,” she tells Billboard while describing how the track’s sultry, rebellious tone came together almost effortlessly.
At the time, however, Russo’s life looked far less glamorous. In October, while working a retail job, she was asked to have her team clear the song for Heated Rivalry while in between retail shifts. Similar to Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, Russo balanced a regular day job while steadfastly pursuing her creative ambitions. The contrast was stark: industry breakthroughs unfolding in tandem with everyday responsibilities. “I had no idea it would be such a big show,” she admits.
What happened next was organic and powerful. The fans found the show — and in turn, they found Cailin Russo. Her rapid rise in attention and on streaming translated into chart action, with “Bad Things” raching No. 5 on the Billboard Rock Digital Song Sales Chart early this year. “This is something people dream of,” she tells Billboard. Yet beyond the numbers and visibility, Russo remains grounded in purpose. Describing the experience as “so wholesome, iconic,” she emphasizes what matters most to her: “I’m so happy to create a safe space for the LGBTQ [community].”
Since “Bad Things” surged in popularity, Russo admits the moment was not without its complications. “It threw me through an identity crisis,” she shares, reflecting on the tension between the youthful spirit that fueled the track and the maturity she has gained since it’s release in 2018. While she remains grateful that the song continues to create a space where listeners feel seen and safe, she acknowledges the personal evolution that comes with time. “There’s a stark difference between [being] a 22-year-old and a 32-year-old; there’s a lot more maturity,” she notes.
Russo approaches that growth with humor and perspective. Joking about “digital footprints,” a playful nod to Hudson Williams’ viral portrayal of “Land Leopard” from his university days, she laughs easily, underscoring her belief that creativity should always carry a sense of silliness. “You have to laugh during a session to make sure it’s a good song,” she says, adding that whether something is clever or silly, “you have to celebrate it.”
Embracing the past as part of the story has brought renewed attention to her 2018 album, House With a Pool, now rediscovered by a wider audience. After scoring about 1,000 official on-demand U.S. streams a week in the pre-Heated Rivalry period, the album now racks up around 140,000 total weekly streams, according to Luminate. Though she initially had no plans to create a music video for “Bad Things,” overwhelming fan demand changed her mind, and she delivered, releasing the long-awaited video in January 2026, a testament to the community that helped propel the song’s resurgence.
Coming out the day before Valentine’s Day, her latest single, “I Can’t Help You Now,” arrives with impeccable timing. “We love a dramatic drop,” she said with a smile. The track, written by one of her friends, was a gift she describes as both flattering and creatively invigorating. Calling it “an incredible song,” Russo embraces the opportunity to weave in her own personal reflections, shaping it into a sharp, emotionally charged anthem about breakups and self-worth. Anchored by the biting lyric, “You fumbled a gangster,” the song captures love lost with equal parts vulnerability and edginess.
The single, part of her new EP, DON’T, also signals a clear evolution in her artistry. While her distinctive essence remains intact, there is a noticeable growth in her lyrical depth. Her newer work leans into themes that reflect her present-day experiences, with a deliberate focus on adult perspectives and the complexities of womanhood.
“My new EP is a little taste of the old stuff… it’s fresh, fexy,” she says, coining the term as a blend of fun and sexy.
Next, Russo’s busy year continues as she prepares to hit the road this March and April, touring across the United States with stops in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.
“Being on the road is one of my favorite parts of being a musician,” she shares, expressing excitement about performing both her earlier catalog and new material. She is especially eager to sing “Bad Things” for the passionate Heated Rivalry fans who helped reignite the track’s popularity.
Looking ahead, Russo has her sights set even higher, naming Glastonbury and Coachella as dream stages. Festivals, she says, have been a lifelong goal and as she steps into this next era with new music on the horizon, fans are ready to follow wherever she goes.
Her advice to young artists looking to follow in her breakout footsteps is straightforward: “Put everything out and trust your gut. It’s youthful and creative. It’s so important to not overthink.”